Does A 'Healthy Relationship' With Alcohol Even Exist?

More and more people are swapping their boozy cocktails and full-bodied wines for non-alcoholic options, as proved by the rise in alcohol-free beverages and sober bars throughout the world. In fact, according to a 2023 Gallup poll, 62% of adults younger than 35 drink, compared with 72% in 2003. But that same poll found that adults 55 and older are actually drinking more now than 20 years ago, making it clear that everyone is not on the same page when it comes to alcohol.

It’s easy to be confused about the dangers and benefits of alcohol. For years, headlines claimed red wine was good for heart health (it’s not — the data that “proved” this was flawed), while societal norms make it seemingly OK to ask someone why they’re not drinking (once again, it’s not). More, grabbing a drink with a friend is a way many people connect with loved ones, and research shows that community is important. More recently, though, it’s come out that alcohol is actually really harmful to our health. It’s categorized as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, meaning it’s known to cause cancer.

Suffice it to say, because of societal norms and evolving research, our relationship with alcohol is understandably complicated. With more awareness of this, it’s only natural to consider your relationship with it. Is it OK to drink? Are you drinking too much?

Those considerations are highly personal, and there isn’t one flat-out answer for everyone. But addiction therapists and recovery experts say there are some facts and guidelines you can keep in mind when considering your relationship with alcohol. Here’s what they are:

First, understand alcohol is harmful to your health no matter how much you drink.

The idea of a