Is a bottle of wine a day too much? The honest answer is ‘yes’. UK Chief Medical Officers advise that both men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread over three or more days. They also say that women should have no more than one a day.
For some people, even one glass of wine every night, as a small reward for getting through the stress of the day, can gradually turn into a habit over time. When you feel that you’ve started to rely on that pattern of drinking, you could be at risk of developing an alcohol addiction.
If you’re wondering whether your drinking is becoming more regular, this article provides useful guidance on the question, ‘How much is too much?’ We will also provide practical next steps as we explore some of the common questions people have.
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Does drinking a bottle of wine a day mean you have an addiction?
Drinking a bottle of wine a day doesn’t necessarily mean you have an addiction, but it does mean your body will become used to alcohol always being present. While you might not feel “dependent” as such, consistently drinking at this high level increases the chance of developing long-term health issues.
A bottle of wine a day puts more stress on your body and mind than you might realise. Disturbed sleep patterns or persistent feelings of anxiety are typical early signs that your brain and body are struggling to cope without regular alcohol intake.
How much alcohol does a bottle of wine contain?
A standard bottle of wine is 750 millilitres (about 5 glasses). It usually contains around 9 to 11 units of alcohol. Both men and women are advised to avoid regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week. It’s also recommended that you spread those 14 units out evenly over three or more days and include several alcohol-free days in your week.
Drinking a bottle of wine in one sitting might not seem excessive to some people. The amount of alcohol they drink might lead them to believe they can have this amount without facing any problems, because their body weight and tolerance levels determine how alcohol impacts them at the time.
Regularly drinking this amount of alcohol, however, can gradually damage your physical health. A pattern of high-level, regular drinking can also lead to your body developing a physical need for alcohol that you can no longer control.
NHS guidelines on safe alcohol consumption
The NHS follows the UK Department of Health’s guidance for a maximum safe intake of 14 units per week. This recommendation is constantly being reviewed around the world as we learn more about drinking patterns and addiction.
For example, in January 2023, the World Health Organisation stated that there is simply no safe level of alcohol consumption, which prompted Canada to dramatically cut its advice to two drinks a week or less, rather than two a day.
How can I tell if I have an addiction to alcohol?
If you think you may be struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s always a good idea to have a conversation with a healthcare professional who can assess your situation medically.
Below are some common signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol:
- Craving or strong desire to drink alcohol
- Difficulty controlling or limiting how much you drink
- Spending a significant amount of time drinking or recovering from alcohol
- Not taking part in important activities or hobbies
- Continuing to drink despite negative consequences in personal relationships, work, or health
- Drinking more to achieve the same feeling
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit or reduce alcohol use
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop
- Spending a lot of time thinking about alcohol or planning activities around drinking
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs, you can talk to your doctor or a private addiction specialist who can perform an assessment and discuss treatment options that will suit you.
Alcohol addiction assessment
Diagnosing alcohol use disorder
Diagnosing alcohol use disorder doesn’t just look at how much you drink, but the pattern of behaviours around it. Dependence is also diagnosed based on how alcohol affects your daily life and the symptoms you experience when you try to stop.
Getting help from healthcare professionals or alcohol support groups near you is the most valuable thing you can do if your relationship with alcohol is causing you concern.
How addiction can develop when you drink regularly
The way alcohol addiction takes hold can be gradual, so it’s not always obvious when it’s happening. Dependence doesn’t develop overnight; it’s a much slower process that occurs as your body adjusts to the regular presence of alcohol.
Some people may start drinking a glass of wine to help them sleep or to calm anxiety in the evening, but then realise they feel irritable or stressed when they don’t have it. These shifts are signs that the body has started to adapt to your drinking habits, and they can be the first sign that you are becoming dependent on alcohol:
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Increased tolerance
When you drink regularly, your body slowly starts to build tolerance. This means that your system becomes less sensitive to alcohol, and you need to drink more to experience the same effects.
You can feel as though you’re functioning as normal, but taking in more alcohol regularly begins to cause harm to your liver and your other organs without you being aware.
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Withdrawal symptoms
If you’re becoming physically reliant on alcohol and suddenly stop or significantly cut back, your body can have a strong reaction. This is when withdrawal symptoms can increase and become serious.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include intense anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, or insomnia. Any one of these is essentially a severe form of craving. Your body sends signals that it’s struggling without alcohol. This response can push a person deeper into their pattern of drinking just to feel more stable.
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Psychological dependence
Addiction isn’t just physical; the psychological side of drinking plays a huge role when a person develops alcohol dependence. When you drink alcohol as a way to manage stress or numb any difficult emotions, it starts to create a cycle.
For example, if you regularly drink to ease your social anxiety in group settings, it can quickly become something you psychologically crave in certain situations.
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Behavioural patterns
Alcohol often changes how you behave. This might mean you struggle to control your drinking, or that you start putting alcohol before other important things like your job or family activities.
You may find that alcohol continues to play a role in your life despite the negative effects on work or relationships. When the benefits of stopping and continuing feel almost the same, it can be hard for someone with dependence to find a clear path forward.
Learn how our alcohol detox programme at Castle Craig can help you take the first step towards recovery.
Societal norms: dealing with the pressure to drink
It can be difficult to look honestly at your drinking patterns when adverts and social media are selling alcohol as a reward or a luxury. Social pressure can also make choosing not to join in feel like going against your own work culture or friendship group.
Your personal health and general wellbeing should always come first, no matter what others around you are doing. If you find that you’re trying to convince yourself that your drinking isn’t an issue, it’s usually a warning sign that something needs to change.
‘Wine time’ as a reward: the media’s controversial message to modern women
Some social media trends have more recently encouraged the message that wine is the reward you deserve after a long day at work or with your family, such as the viral ‘mummy and her wine’ reels on TikTok. To someone suffering from growing dependence on alcohol, this powerful message could promote wine as a way to manage emotional stress.
Along with social drinking appearing normal in films and TV adverts for alcohol that feature well-known celebrities, the media culture is constantly showing us that drinking can be an acceptable way to relax and use alcohol to cope.
What should I do if I am concerned about my drinking?
If you’re worried that drinking a glass or a bottle of wine a day is causing harm, you can take proactive steps to address the issue early:
- Recognise the behaviour: Notice when and why you are drinking, and if it has become a habit.
- Seek support from loved ones: Reach out to trusted friends or family members who can provide understanding and encouragement.
- Consult a healthcare professional: Your doctor or a counsellor can offer non-judgemental guidance and support when you’re ready to make changes.
- Consider support groups: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other recovery communities can connect you with people who have experienced similar challenges.
- Learn more: Educate yourself about the effects of alcohol on physical and mental health. Understanding the risks associated with excessive or long-term alcohol consumption can strengthen your motivation.
- Set achievable goals: You could start by reducing the frequency or quantity of alcohol consumption. Gradual changes may be more achievable than attempting sudden, drastic modifications, especially if you have become dependent.
- Find alternative activities: Pursue hobbies or join clubs and groups with shared interests, finding new ways to relax and socialise that don’t rely on alcohol.
- Practice self-care: Maintain a balanced diet, get regular exercise, prioritise sleep, and learn how to manage stress with mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
- Stay accountable: Keep a journal to track how much you’re drinking and reflect on your progress. Consider sharing your goals with a trusted friend or family member who can help you stay accountable.
Overcoming concerns about drinking takes time and effort. It’s important to be patient with yourself and seek professional guidance if you experience difficult withdrawal symptoms. Everyone’s journey is different, and getting help for yourself is both proactive and worthwhile.
Our inpatient alcohol addiction detox and rehab
For over 35 years, Castle Craig has been a place of healing, helping individuals overcome challenges with alcohol addiction. Our integrated approach supports both mental well-being and recovery, ensuring compassionate, professional care. We are committed to respect, progressive methods, and excellence as we guide you towards lasting recovery from alcoholism.
Addressing the issue early: get help for alcohol misuse at Castle Craig
The team at Castle Craig is available to discuss your concerns about drinking alcohol. It’s always better to address any dependency issues sooner, rather than waiting until the negative consequences start to appear.
There’s a wide range of support available to people in the UK with different circumstances at our centre in the Scottish Borders. From outpatient addiction counselling to comprehensive residential alcohol rehab programmes, our approach is always tailored to you as a unique individual.
Frequently asked questions
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What happens to your body if you drink one bottle of wine a day?
Consuming a bottle of wine a day puts a constant, heavy workload on your body. Over time, this raises your risk of damaging vital organs like the liver and brain. It also severely disrupts your sleep and raises anxiety levels, quietly affecting your overall health.
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Is there a healthy benefit to drinking wine every day?
While some studies have claimed heart benefits, experts now largely agree that this is misleading. Most doctors suggest there is no truly safe level of drinking due to rising health concerns, including cancer and heart disease.
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Will a bottle of wine a day cause liver damage?
Yes, drinking a bottle of wine every day could increase your risk of developing liver damage. While it varies for each person, consuming this amount daily means your liver has no recovery time, increasing the risk of damage over time.
This may increase the risk of developing conditions such as fatty liver disease, alcohol-related hepatitis, and cirrhosis much more likely.
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What are three warning signs of alcohol addiction?
The clearest signs of alcohol addiction are typically when you start hiding how much you drink, or when you feel genuine anxiety if you cannot have a drink. Another strong indicator is needing alcohol in the morning to stop shaking or feeling unwell.
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Which alcohol is the worst for your liver?
This is a common question, but the truth is, no specific type of alcohol (whether it’s wine, beer, or spirits) is inherently the “worst” for your liver.
The real danger is the total amount of alcohol you drink and how often you drink it.
