Do I Need Rehab if I’m Drinking Every Day?

If you drink alcohol every day and you’re worried about your drinking, consult your healthcare provider for an assessment.

Read on to learn more about how much is too much drinking and discover the negative health effects of drinking too much, and learn how to get effective alcohol addiction treatment.

If you or a loved one need help for an alcohol addiction, call our friendly recovery specialist for help at (877) 679-2132.

How Much Is Too Much Drinking?

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 – 2025, over-21s should consume alcohol in moderation. This means up to 2 drinks per day for men and up to 1 drink for women. Drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.

NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) highlights binge drinking and heavy drinking as two of the most damaging forms of consumption.

Binge drinking is when you drink a lot in a short time. For men, this means 5 drinks or more in about 2 hours. For women, it’s 4 or more drinks in the same amount of time. Binge drinking brings your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) to 0.08% or higher.

Heavy drinking is different from binge drinking. For men, heavy drinking is having 5 or more daily drinks or more than 15 weekly drinks. for women, it’s 4 or more daily drinks or 8 or more weekly drinks. Heavy drinking can cause serious health problems over time.

If you are worried that drinking too much could lead to alcoholism, try this self-assessment quiz based on the 11 criteria for alcohol use disorder in DSM-5-TR. According to the number of criteria, alcohol use disorder is  diagnosed as mild ( 2 to 3), moderate (4 to 5), or severe (6 or more)

Alcohol addiction DSM-5 criteria:

1. Do you sometimes struggle to control how much or how long you drink alcohol?
2. Have you tried to cut back on drinking but couldn’t?
3. Do you often spend a lot of time drinking or recovering from drinking?
4. Has drinking alcohol caused problems at home, school, or work? (Have you ever missed work because of drinking?)
5. Has drinking affected your relationships or social life? (Do you hide how much you drink? Has anyone ever talked to you about your drinking?)
6. Do you keep drinking even though it’s causing problems?
7. Do you put off or forget to do things because of drinking? (Have you let down your family or friends? Have you missed family events?)
8. Do you sometimes really crave alcohol?
9. Can you drink more alcohol now than you could before?
10. Do you feel sick the day after drinking? (Have you ever felt shaky or sweaty that night or the next day?)
11. Has drinking alcohol put you in dangerous situations? (Have you ever been charged with drunk driving?)

Knowing these limits can help you make healthier choices about drinking. If you think you might be drinking too much, talk to a doctor or counselor for help.

Will Drinking Every Day Kill You?

Drinking alcohol every day can be very harmful to your health. Here are some of the dangers:

• Liver damage: Drinking every day can damage your liver. Your liver helps clean toxins out of your blood, but too much alcohol can cause liver diseases like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer. This can make it hard for your liver to work properly.
• Heart problems: Daily drinking can cause heart problems. It can raise your blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Your heart has to work harder, which can lead to heart failure.
• Addiction: Drinking every day can lead to alcohol dependence or addiction. Perhaps you need to drink to feel normal or get through the day. Addiction makes it very hard to stop drinking, even if you know it’s bad for you.
• Mental health issues: Alcohol affects your brain and drinking every day can lead to mental health problems like depression and anxiety. It can also cause memory loss and make it harder to think clearly.
• Weakened immune system: Drinking daily can weaken your immune system. This means your body has a harder time fighting illnesses and you might get sick more often.
• Stomach problems: Drinking too much alcohol can cause stomach problems like ulcers and gastritis. It can also lead to inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis, which can be painful and serious.
• Cancer risk: Drinking every day increases the risk of several types of cancer, including mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast, and colon cancer. Alcohol damages the cells in your body, which can lead to cancer over time.
• Accidents and injuries: Alcohol affects your coordination and judgment, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. This includes car accidents, falls, and other mishaps that can cause serious harm.

While drinking occasionally and in moderation might not be harmful, drinking every day significantly increases the risk of these serious health problems, many of which can be fatal. Drink responsibly and seek help if you find it hard to control your drinking. If you’re concerned about your drinking habits, talk to a doctor or counselor for support. They can help you find ways to reduce or stop drinking and improve your health.

Will My Insurance Cover Rehab for Alcohol?

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 means that health insurance plans must cover at least part of the costs of alcohol addiction treatment.

Consult your insurer to find out what services are covered by your policy. Ask about out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and deductibles to know the total costs. You can also contact the rehab centers on your shortlist to discuss using insurance to pay for addiction treatment.

For a quick and easy insurance coverage check, click here.

Drinking Every Day FAQs

What are the benefits of alcohol rehab?

Alcohol rehab helps you stop drinking safely, provides medical and emotional support, and teaches you coping skills to stay sober. It offers a structured environment for recovery and access to therapy and support groups.

How do I know if I need to go to rehab for drinking?

You may need rehab if you find it hard to control your drinking, if it affects your daily life, or if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop. Talking to a doctor or counselor can help you decide.

Will drinking whiskey every day kill you?

Drinking whiskey every day can be harmful and increase the risk of serious health problems like liver disease, heart issues, and addiction. Over time, heavy daily drinking can lead to life-threatening conditions.

Will drinking beer every day kill you?

Drinking beer every day can also be damaging. Regular drinking can lead to chronic health issues and increase the risk of life-threatening complications over time.

Get Insurance-Covered Alcohol Rehab at Ohio Recovery

If you have been trying to stop drinking but experienced cravings and withdrawal symptoms, you might need professional help. Reach out to Ohio Recovery and we’ll help you combat alcohol addiction.

We work with most major health insurers so you can get addiction treatment covered by insurance. Access our free insurance check by clicking here.

At Ohio Recovery, we focus on outpatient treatment for alcohol addiction, which means you can receive effective care while keeping up with your daily commitments. For anyone who needs more structure, we also offer intensive outpatient treatment.

Our Cincinnati rehab customizes each treatment program to meet the specific needs of your alcohol addiction. We combine medications, various talking therapies, and counseling to treat alcoholism effectively. We also provide a range of natural treatments.

For effective alcohol addiction treatment in Ohio, call our recovery experts at 877-679-2132.