The Financial Hangover
It's easy to ignore a $50 bar tab on Friday. But if you spend that every week, it adds up to $2,600 per year.
The real shock comes when you look at the Opportunity Cost. If you invested that same $50/week into a standard index fund (7% return) for 20 years, you wouldn't just have your money back—you’d have over $110,000.
Health Impact Timeline
Alcohol affects every organ in the body. The damage is often silent until it's critical.
- Year 1: Sleep quality improves dramatically if you quit. Continued drinking leads to weight gain (empty calories).
- Year 10: Chronic inflammation begins to damage blood vessels and stress the liver.
Know What You're Drinking
| Drink Type | Size (ml) | Calories (kcal) | ABV % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pint of Beer | 568ml | 230 | 5% |
| Glass of Wine | 175ml | 133 | 12% |
| Shot of Whiskey/Vodka | 30ml | 70 | 40% |
| Shot of Rum | 30ml | 70 | 40% |
| Standard Cocktail | 250ml | 200+ | 15% |
Common Questions
Even moderate drinking?
Yes. Even "moderate" social drinking (e.g., 3 drinks a week at $15 each) costs ~$2,300/year. Over a lifetime, that is the price of a luxury car.
Is damage reversible?
The liver is incredible at healing. Early-stage "fatty liver" is often 100% reversible with lifestyle changes. However, once scarring (Cirrhosis) occurs, the damage is usually permanent.
Tools & Data Verified by the EverydayCalculators Medical Research Team.
Last updated: December 2026.