There may be more health risks than anything. But believe it or not alcohol does have some benefits. The risks of drinking are increased accidents, strokes caused by bleeding, it can interfere with prescription medicines, it can contribute to birth defects in pregnant women and it can increase your chance for breast cancer.
The positive aspects of drinking alcohol, the heath benefits are that alcohol can actually reduce stress, anyone who has had a drink or two can tell you that. Alcohol can decrease the risk in cardiovascular disease such as heart attack. They say a glass of wine can help prevent a heart attack. Alcohol also produces an increased appetite, that can be good and bad, but it is good especially for elderly people.

Alcohol on a short-term basis is good for you but on a long-term abusive cycle it can cause you more harm than good. Keep it to maybe one two glasses a day. Don't abuse it and if you are going to drink a lot, drink a lot of water in between. That way you get the benefit or water and alcohol. Drink you alcohol moderately. Some people wait until the weekend to drink but the benefits work better if you have a drink on a regular basis.