Is drinking about 3 cocktails a night harmful for your health? each cocktail has about 1 shot of 40 proof alcohol?

Yes: Moderate consumption is considered 1 drink daily for women and 2 for men. Drinking only once a week but consuming all 7/14 in one day does not count and would be considered binge drinking. Women are more susceptible to alcohol in its short term and long term effects and there are genetic non-gender differences also. Aging and addition of RX meds like cholesterol meds puts more stress on the liver.