Drinking one glass of 12% ABV wine a day has been associated with general health and well-being, but can that lead to alcohol addiction? There’s a fine line between drinking for health purposes and drinking every day because you’re physically or psychologically addicted. To learn more about the health benefits of drinking wine every day and how much you can safely drink in one period of time, keep reading.
Does Drinking Wine Have Health Benefits?
There are many studies that show that a glass of wine a day can provide a host of health benefits, including boosting antioxidants in the body and helping combat inflammation. Drinking a glass of red wine has been linked with the reduction of stress as well as a reduced risk of some diseases. However, while some experts say that a glass of wine a day is good for the body, other experts dismiss this, stating that any regular consumption of alcohol can put a person at risk for addiction.
If you’re consuming one glass of wine every night with dinner, you may not see this as a problem. But what about when that changes and you’re drinking two with dinner? Or three? Developing a pattern with alcohol isn’t a good idea, and can lead to addiction down the line. So while a glass of wine a night may present health benefits, it’s not worth the risk of addiction.
How Many Glasses of 12% ABV Wine Can I Safely Drink in a Day?
In general, you shouldn’t drink alcohol every single day. However, according to the alcohol consumption guidelines, it’s safe for women to drink one glass of wine per day and safe for men to drink two glasses of wine per day. One glass is considered to be 5oz at 12% ABV. If you’re drinking a stronger wine, you should pour yourself a smaller amount to stay within the guidelines.
Alcohol addiction is defined as someone who has developed both a physical and psychological dependence on the drug. If you feel like you can’t get through a day without it, you may have an addiction. If you feel like you’re drinking more than other people without being as drunk, you may have an addiction.
It’s important to monitor the level and the frequency in which you’re drinking. If you’re drinking often and at a high quantity, you may want to take a moment to assess your situation.
Warning Signs of Drinking too Much
If you or someone you love is drinking too much, you may start to worry about alcohol addiction. If you’re unsure if you or your loved one is addicted, here are some warning signs that you can be on the lookout for:
- Frequently missing work or school without reason
- Frequently hungover
- Drinking in higher quantities than other people
- Poor decision making
- Irritability or anger
- Drinking frequently
- Feeling withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit
- Feeling like it’s impossible to quit
If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you may want to seek treatment for alcohol addiction.
Seek Treatment for Alcoholism
There are many options when it comes to treating alcohol addiction. There are both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs available to you or your loved one, making it easy to maintain a schedule outside of rehab if needed.
If you find yourself drinking more than one 12% ABV glass of wine on a regular basis, you may want to evaluate your situation. Ask yourself questions about your drinking habits. Do you think you could stop if you wanted to? Do you feel like you’re physically dependent on the drug? To discuss your potential addiction, call Asheville Recovery Center and speak with a specialist today.
