Your Drinking Profile
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Liver Risk
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Cancer Risk
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Life Lost
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Drinking History
Alcohol Impact 2025: The Hidden Cost of Every Drink
Alcohol causes 3 million deaths yearly — 1 in 20 globally. Even moderate drinking increases cancer risk. Use our calculator to see your liver damage probability, cancer odds, and years of life lost.
What Is a Standard Drink?
A standard drink contains 14g (0.6 oz) of pure alcohol:
| Type | Size | Alcohol % | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer | 12 oz (355ml) | 5% | 1 |
| Wine | 5 oz (150ml) | 12% | 1 |
| Spirits | 1.5 oz (44ml) | 40% | 1 |
| Craft Beer | 12 oz | 8% | 1.6 |
Recommended Limits (2025)
Men: ≤14 units/week
Women: ≤7 units/week
No more than 4 (men) or 3 (women) on any day
Zero is safest for cancer prevention
Health Risks by Consumption Level
- Low Risk (≤14/7): Minimal liver damage, slight ↑ cancer
- High Risk (>21/14): Fatty liver in 90%, cirrhosis risk ↑
- Heavy (>50/35): 50% develop alcoholic hepatitis
- Binge Drinking: ↑ accident, violence, acute pancreatitis
Liver Disease Progression
Alcohol damages liver in stages:
- Fatty Liver: Reversible in 2–4 weeks abstinence
- Alcoholic Hepatitis: 30–50% mortality if severe
- Fibrosis: Scar tissue begins
- Cirrhosis: Irreversible, 1–2 year survival if drinking continues
Women progress faster due to lower body water and ADH enzyme.
Cancer Risk from Alcohol
Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen (IARC). Each 10g/day ↑ cancer risk:
- Mouth & throat: +40%
- Esophagus: +30%
- Liver: +20%
- Breast (women): +7–10%
- Colorectal: +17%
Life Expectancy Impact
Heavy drinkers lose 10–15 years on average. Even moderate drinking (15–30 units/week) reduces life by 1–2 years.
AUDIT Score Explained
Our tool includes a modified AUDIT-C screening:
- 0–3: Low risk
- 4–7: Increasing risk
- 8–12: High risk / dependence
How to Reduce Alcohol Harm
- Track intake: Use apps or diaries
- Alternate with water: Prevents dehydration
- Eat before drinking: Slows absorption
- Alcohol-free days: 3+ per week for liver recovery
- Set limits: Pre-plan max drinks
- Seek support: AA, counseling, naltrexone
Pregnancy & Youth
No safe level during pregnancy — causes FASD.
Under 21: Brain development harmed until age 25.
Economic & Social Cost
- Global cost: $1.4 trillion/year
- 85% of alcohol harm from heavy drinkers
- 1 in 3 road deaths alcohol-related
Science Facts
- Red wine antioxidants ≠ health benefit at high intake
- Alcohol metabolism: 1 unit/hour
- Hangovers from congeners, dehydration, acetaldehyde
- Moderate drinking myth: J-shaped curve flawed by ex-drinker bias
Related Tools
FAQs
Is wine safer? No. All alcohol increases cancer risk.
Can I bank units? No. Weekly total matters.
Accurate without blood test? Yes, based on WHO & CDC models.
Conclusion
Every drink counts. Track, reduce, recover. Your liver can heal in weeks. Your future self will thank you.
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