To add on to Werrf's correct answer: This subtle nuance is reflected in many English sentences. For example, suppose you are at a party and offer someone a glass of wine. They respond:
I don't drink (alcohol).
The simple present refers to things that are general, natural, or habitual, so this expression means the person doesn't drink as a habit. We generally assume this is due to personal or religious reasons, rather than medical reasons, but we'd have to ask to know for sure.
In addition, it's natural to assume this is a relatively long-term habit, rather than something recently adopted. The following conversation would be odd, and possibly funny:
A: Hi, would you like a glass of wine?
B: Sorry, I don't drink.
A: I understand. When did you stop drinking?
B: Yesterday.
Compare this with:
I can't drink (alcohol)
This reflects a general inability rather than a habitual practice, and also indicates a contrast with the person's desire -- they would really like to drink, but for some reason they're not allowed. Otherwise, if they didn't want to drink, they would say it the other way, "I don't drink".
In addition, it's likely to be a short-term rather than a long-term inability, but (depending on the context) it may be impolite to assume.
A: Hey, we're all going out after work to get a beer. Want to come?
B: Sorry, I can't drink.
A: Well, perhaps tomorrow then?
B: No, I mean I can't ever. I'm allergic.
A: Er ... sorry about that. You can come with us and order something else, if you want?
5+1. In this particular circumstance the difference is slight and could be treated as functionally equivalent, but the difference could be much more meaningful and important in some other context. – sharur – 2018-12-19T18:52:16.157
"Technically, this could be by choice, it could be for medical reasons, etc." technically maybe, but there's a very strong implication that it's a personal choice and not a medical/religious requirement. – Kevin – 2018-12-20T22:23:58.447
I have kind of a simple mind, but if it's by choice and they have a wish, doesn't it look like a contradiction? If someone chooses to be a vegetarian why would they "wish" they ate meat? – ChatterOne – 2018-12-21T09:59:19.200
@ChatterOne it could be that they really enjoy the taste of meat, but they choose to abstain for ethical or other reasons. – Kazim – 2018-12-21T14:55:49.680
@ChatterOne That contradiction is absolutely present, and there’s a decent chance it’s intentional. It could be used to emphasize that the speaker feels they don’t have a choice in the matter—that whatever reasons they had for making that choice were so compelling (to them) that they didn’t feel that they could choose otherwise. (Also, if you have been vegetarian for a long time, I believe it can cause your body to stop bothering with meat-digesting enzymes, which can get you quite sick if you suddenly eat a lot of meat. In which case what was originally a choice has become compulsory.) – KRyan – 2018-12-21T16:16:32.137