If you like to have a drink every now and then, that’s probably fine. But drinking out of control can have some pretty negative effects. Making sure you understand the different risks out there will help you keep your drinking under control.

Consumption of Empty Calories

Going out for drinks can definitely be a fun way to connect with friends and loosen up a little but remember that all those drinks have a ton of calories in them. And there is practically zero healthy protein, fats, or carbs in alcohol.

The process of fermentation results in a lot more calories becoming packed into your single drink. And when you add other mixers and different sodas, you add more calories and sugar. Not only does consuming a lot of alcohol mean consuming a higher amount of calories, but it also means slowly inhibiting your body’s ability to burn fat.

Lowered Inhibitions

One of the most obvious results of drinking heavily is getting drunk—getting drunk can be relatively harmless when it happens infrequently and in a safe setting. But when you drink more often, you may find yourself in situations where your senses are duller. Settings like these can lead to drunk driving which can result in fatal accidents.

Getting involved in a DUI is devastating for anyone but can be especially devastating for individuals whose careers depend on having a valid license. People with professional licenses who receive DUI charges can be reported automatically to licensing boards and may lose their job as a result.

Wasted Money (Pun Intended)

Drinking a lot not only gets you wasted but it can also mean wasting a lot of money if you aren’t careful. It’s surprising how fast drinks can really add up. And as you get a bit tipsier as the night goes on, it can be harder to keep track of how many drinks you’ve had as well as of how much money you’ve spent.

It can be easy to get complacent when it comes to habits—if you’ve never had anything truly devastating happen in relation to your drinking habits before, it can be easy to assume you’re in the clear. But remember all it takes is one situation where something goes wrong to change your life. So be deliberate about your drinking habits to keep yourself safe.

Read this next: How Has Medication Changed Our Approach to Health?