The Effects of Everyday Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol, in moderation, can be a sociable beverage that leads to reduced inhibitions and some positive health benefits. Drinking every day does not necessarily imply a problem or danger, but the amount consumed matters. Having more than two to three drinks a day can create long-term health problems. A standard drink is usually defined as 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine or 1.5 oz. of distilled spirits.

Cancer

• Everyday drinkers who imbibe immoderately are statistically more likely to get cancer than abstainers or moderate drinkers. Both men and women who have more than three to four drinks a day are nearly twice as likely to get mouth, throat or neck cancer than non-drinkers or light drinkers. Women who drink in excess are 20 percent more likely to get breast cancer, according to the UK National Health Services.

Memory Problems

• For heavy daily drinkers, there can be serious impact on the brain and its functioning. Long-term memory and recall can be reduced by everyday alcohol consumption over the years. According to SUNY Potsdam's "Alcohol and Health," heavy drinking can lead to reduction of memory up to 25 percent versus non-drinkers or moderate drinkers. Heavy long-term drinkers are also more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, according to the Help Guide website.

Liver Cirrhosis

• A very serious and common effect of everyday alcohol consumption is cirrhosis of the liver, which can be fatal. The liver of a heavy everyday drinker takes a lot of abuse filtering the alcohol that passes through it. Eventually, the liver begins to filter poorly, as scarring and damage build up over the years.

Other Problems

• Everyday alcohol consumption can also lead to other serious problems, such as alcohol dependence, in which the person must drink more and more to avoid withdrawal symptoms. In addition to health problems, those who drink immoderately on a daily basis are more likely to have accidents. Everyday drinking can also make it difficult to maintain work, educational and relationship requirements, resulting in potential financial or emotional problems.

Health Benefits

• Not all the effects of everyday alcohol consumption are negative. In fact, having one to two drinks a day may have considerable health benefits. According to SUNY Potsdam's "Alcohol and Health," moderate drinkers, on average, live longer and have better cardiovascular health than heavy drinkers or abstainers. Moderate daily drinkers also have a decreased chance of getting Type-2 diabetes and having a stroke.