Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffects on BodyLong-Term RisksPsychological EffectsConsequencesAddiction and WithdrawalTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effects on Body
Long-Term Risks
Psychological Effects
Consequences
Addiction and Withdrawal
Treatment
From a glass of wine with dinner to a night out with friends or a celebratory toast, alcohol consumption is deeply ingrained in many social practices and cultural traditions worldwide.In the United States, over 84% of adults report drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime.
While casual to moderate drinking may be a part of life for some, excessive or chronic alcohol consumption can significantly impact your body and long-term health.
This article discusses the long-term effects of alcohol, including the risks to your physical health and mental well-being.
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How Alcohol Affects the Body
Alcoholis a central nervous system depressant that has immediate effects on the body, like intoxication (feeling drunk) and hangovers (unpleasant aftereffects from drinking).While these effects are short-lived, long-term alcohol use cantrigger systemic (bodywide) inflammation, which damages the body’s tissues and vital organs over time.
Cardiovascular System
Alcohol use impacts the cardiovascular system in several ways. In the short term, drinking alcohol increases your heart rate, and even moderate alcohol consumption can increase your blood pressure.
Chronic alcohol use andbinge drinkingdamage the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. Alcohol can also contribute to arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) and hypertension (high blood pressure), increasing the risk ofheart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
What’s the Link Between Alcohol and Heart Disease?
Liver
Thelivermetabolizes most of the alcohol you consume, breaking it down intoacetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a toxin that can damage the body’s organs and tissues before it is further broken down into acetate.This damage is most evident in the liver. Years of moderate to heavy drinking can cause liver scarring (fibrosis), increasing the risk of liver diseases like cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer.
Gastrointestinal (GI) System
Alcohol consumption irritates the lining of the stomach and intestines. A night of drinking can cause uncomfortable symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.Chronic and excessive alcohol use disrupts the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis). Over time, this imbalance triggers chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, leading to a higher risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
Excess alcohol use can also impair nutrient absorption in the small intestine and increase the risk of malnutrition.
Brain
The brain is highly vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol, which disrupts communication between brain cells. Excessive or chronic alcohol use can lead to a steady decline in cognitive function, causing memory problems, difficulty learning new information, mood changes, and behavior changes.
Long-term alcohol use is associated with a higher risk of progressive cognitive decline and age-related neurological conditions like dementia.
Reproductive System
Alcohol use can cause sexual dysfunction, such as difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection and decreased sexual sensations. The impact alcohol has on the reproductive system extends beyond these temporary effects.Chronic alcohol use causes hormone imbalances in both men and women and leads to problems with fertility.
In people assigned male at birth, alcohol consumption can decrease testosterone production and sperm quality. In people assigned female at birth, alcohol use can interfere with regular ovulation and menstrual cycles and make it difficult to get pregnant.
How Do You Slow Your Heart Rate After Drinking Alcohol?
Long-Term Health Risks
Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, contributing to approximately 178,000 deaths annually.Over time, alcohol use takes a toll on your body and increases your risk of over 200 health conditions.
While the risk of health problems is higher in people who drink excessively, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, and even light to moderate drinking comes with health risks. Long-term health risks associated with alcohol include:
Moderate and Excessive Drinking DefinedThe National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines moderate drinking as two or fewer drinks in a day for men and one or less in a day for women. Excessive (binge) drinking is defined as four or more drinks on a single occasion for women and five or more drinks on a single occasion for men.
Moderate and Excessive Drinking Defined
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines moderate drinking as two or fewer drinks in a day for men and one or less in a day for women. Excessive (binge) drinking is defined as four or more drinks on a single occasion for women and five or more drinks on a single occasion for men.
Mental Health and Psychological Effects
While alcohol is seen as a way to relax or cope with stress, it can have severe effects on your mental health and well-being in the long run, including:
Social and Interpersonal Consequences
From strained family dynamics to work-related and financial troubles, the social and interpersonal consequences of alcohol use can be profound and far-reaching, such as:
Alcohol Addiction and Withdrawal
AUD develops gradually. Over time, your brain’s structure and function change, leading to tolerance, meaning you may require higher amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effects. These brain changes contribute to the compulsive nature of addiction, making it difficult to abstain from alcohol.
If you have AUD and stop drinking, you may experience withdrawal symptoms that can affect your physical and mental health, including:
At this point, you may have alcohol cravings or drink to avoid the low feelings withdrawal causes rather than for the pleasurable feelings alcohol consumption may offer.
Why Does Alcohol Make Me Sleepy? Exploring the Science Behind Drowsiness
A Word From VerywellLife is a matter of moderation. It’s not human to be perfect. The same concept applies to alcohol intake. It’s been proven that alcohol isn’t healthy to consume. If you can appreciate this fact and limit yourself, then you generally will keep your risk of alcohol-associated diseases low. If you feel you can’t limit yourself despite this information, then you need to rethink your relationship with alcohol.—BRIAN H. WETCHLER, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Life is a matter of moderation. It’s not human to be perfect. The same concept applies to alcohol intake. It’s been proven that alcohol isn’t healthy to consume. If you can appreciate this fact and limit yourself, then you generally will keep your risk of alcohol-associated diseases low. If you feel you can’t limit yourself despite this information, then you need to rethink your relationship with alcohol.—BRIAN H. WETCHLER, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Life is a matter of moderation. It’s not human to be perfect. The same concept applies to alcohol intake. It’s been proven that alcohol isn’t healthy to consume. If you can appreciate this fact and limit yourself, then you generally will keep your risk of alcohol-associated diseases low. If you feel you can’t limit yourself despite this information, then you need to rethink your relationship with alcohol.
—BRIAN H. WETCHLER, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
How Alcohol Use Disorder Is Treated
Treatment for AUD addresses the physical, psychological, and social impacts of alcohol addiction to help people with AUD achieve and maintain sobriety. If you are concerned about your alcohol use—or that of someone you care for—talk to a healthcare provider. They can assess your drinking pattern and help develop a treatment plan that may include:
Summary
Alcohol use, especially excessive alcohol consumption, can harm your physical and mental health. From damaging vital organs to impairing brain function and jeopardizing relationships, the negative consequences of excessive alcohol use are far-reaching. Chronic alcohol use raises your risk for health problems, including heart disease, liver disease, cancer, and mental health disorders.
If you choose to drink, do so in moderation: one drink per day or less for women and people assigned female at birth and two drinks or less daily for men and people assigned male at birth.
Talk to a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your drinking or that of a loved one. Professional treatments and support can help you overcome alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder and improve your overall health and well-being.
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29 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Social Issues Research Center.Social and cultural aspects of drinking.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics. 2023.MedlinePlus.Alcohol. January 3, 2024.Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2American Heart Association.Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle?December 30, 2019.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol metabolism. May 2022.Osna NA, Donohue TM Jr, Kharbanda KK.Alcoholic liver disease: pathogenesis and current management.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):147-161.Haber PS, Kortt NC.Alcohol use disorder and the gut.Addiction. 2021;116(3):658-667. doi:10.1111/add.15147Barve S, Chen SY, Kirpich I, Watson WH, Mcclain C.Development, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-induced organ injury: the role of nutrition.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):289-302.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain: An overview.Wiegmann C, Mick I, Brandl EJ, Heinz A, Gutwinski S.Alcohol and Dementia - What is the Link? A Systematic Review.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020;16:87-99. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198772Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use is a risk to men’s health. February 29, 2024.Salari N, Hasheminezhad R, Almasi A, et al.The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):213. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02400-5MedlinePlus.Reproductive hazards. March 22, 2024.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Medical complications: common alcohol-related concerns. March 13, 2024.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is excessive drinking?February 29, 2024.National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk. July 14, 2021.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined. 2023.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Mental health issues: alcohol use disorder and common co-occuring conditions. January 12, 2024.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding alcohol use disorder. January 2024.Ridley NJ, Draper B, Withall A.Alcohol-related dementia: an update of the evidence.Alzheimers Res Ther. 2013;5(1):3. doi:10.1186/alzrt157The JED Foundation.Understanding the mental health and drinking connection.McCrady BS, Flanagan JC.The role of the family in alcohol use disorder recovery for adults.Alcohol Res. 2021;41(1):06. doi:10.35946/arcr.v41.1.06Thørrisen MM, Bonsaksen T, Hashemi N, Kjeken I, van Mechelen W, Aas RW.Association between alcohol consumption and impaired work performance (presenteeism): a systematic review.BMJ Open. 2019;9(7):e029184. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029184Collins SE.Associations Between Socioeconomic Factors and Alcohol Outcomes.Alcohol Res. 2016;38(1):83-94.National Crime Prevention Council.Alcohol and drugs: Legal consequences.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.MedlinePlus.Alcohol withdrawal. February 28, 2023.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: finding and getting help. September 2023.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Social Issues Research Center.Social and cultural aspects of drinking.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics. 2023.MedlinePlus.Alcohol. January 3, 2024.Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2American Heart Association.Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle?December 30, 2019.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol metabolism. May 2022.Osna NA, Donohue TM Jr, Kharbanda KK.Alcoholic liver disease: pathogenesis and current management.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):147-161.Haber PS, Kortt NC.Alcohol use disorder and the gut.Addiction. 2021;116(3):658-667. doi:10.1111/add.15147Barve S, Chen SY, Kirpich I, Watson WH, Mcclain C.Development, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-induced organ injury: the role of nutrition.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):289-302.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain: An overview.Wiegmann C, Mick I, Brandl EJ, Heinz A, Gutwinski S.Alcohol and Dementia - What is the Link? A Systematic Review.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020;16:87-99. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198772Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use is a risk to men’s health. February 29, 2024.Salari N, Hasheminezhad R, Almasi A, et al.The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):213. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02400-5MedlinePlus.Reproductive hazards. March 22, 2024.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Medical complications: common alcohol-related concerns. March 13, 2024.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is excessive drinking?February 29, 2024.National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk. July 14, 2021.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined. 2023.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Mental health issues: alcohol use disorder and common co-occuring conditions. January 12, 2024.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding alcohol use disorder. January 2024.Ridley NJ, Draper B, Withall A.Alcohol-related dementia: an update of the evidence.Alzheimers Res Ther. 2013;5(1):3. doi:10.1186/alzrt157The JED Foundation.Understanding the mental health and drinking connection.McCrady BS, Flanagan JC.The role of the family in alcohol use disorder recovery for adults.Alcohol Res. 2021;41(1):06. doi:10.35946/arcr.v41.1.06Thørrisen MM, Bonsaksen T, Hashemi N, Kjeken I, van Mechelen W, Aas RW.Association between alcohol consumption and impaired work performance (presenteeism): a systematic review.BMJ Open. 2019;9(7):e029184. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029184Collins SE.Associations Between Socioeconomic Factors and Alcohol Outcomes.Alcohol Res. 2016;38(1):83-94.National Crime Prevention Council.Alcohol and drugs: Legal consequences.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.MedlinePlus.Alcohol withdrawal. February 28, 2023.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: finding and getting help. September 2023.
Social Issues Research Center.Social and cultural aspects of drinking.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics. 2023.
MedlinePlus.Alcohol. January 3, 2024.
Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM.Effect of alcohol on blood pressure.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD012787. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012787.pub2
American Heart Association.Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle?December 30, 2019.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol metabolism. May 2022.
Osna NA, Donohue TM Jr, Kharbanda KK.Alcoholic liver disease: pathogenesis and current management.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):147-161.
Haber PS, Kortt NC.Alcohol use disorder and the gut.Addiction. 2021;116(3):658-667. doi:10.1111/add.15147
Barve S, Chen SY, Kirpich I, Watson WH, Mcclain C.Development, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-induced organ injury: the role of nutrition.Alcohol Res. 2017;38(2):289-302.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol and the brain: An overview.
Wiegmann C, Mick I, Brandl EJ, Heinz A, Gutwinski S.Alcohol and Dementia - What is the Link? A Systematic Review.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020;16:87-99. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198772
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use is a risk to men’s health. February 29, 2024.
Salari N, Hasheminezhad R, Almasi A, et al.The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):213. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02400-5
MedlinePlus.Reproductive hazards. March 22, 2024.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Medical complications: common alcohol-related concerns. March 13, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is excessive drinking?February 29, 2024.
National Cancer Institute.Alcohol and cancer risk. July 14, 2021.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Drinking levels defined. 2023.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Mental health issues: alcohol use disorder and common co-occuring conditions. January 12, 2024.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Understanding alcohol use disorder. January 2024.
Ridley NJ, Draper B, Withall A.Alcohol-related dementia: an update of the evidence.Alzheimers Res Ther. 2013;5(1):3. doi:10.1186/alzrt157
The JED Foundation.Understanding the mental health and drinking connection.
McCrady BS, Flanagan JC.The role of the family in alcohol use disorder recovery for adults.Alcohol Res. 2021;41(1):06. doi:10.35946/arcr.v41.1.06
Thørrisen MM, Bonsaksen T, Hashemi N, Kjeken I, van Mechelen W, Aas RW.Association between alcohol consumption and impaired work performance (presenteeism): a systematic review.BMJ Open. 2019;9(7):e029184. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029184
Collins SE.Associations Between Socioeconomic Factors and Alcohol Outcomes.Alcohol Res. 2016;38(1):83-94.
National Crime Prevention Council.Alcohol and drugs: Legal consequences.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.The cycle of alcohol addiction.
MedlinePlus.Alcohol withdrawal. February 28, 2023.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Treatment for alcohol problems: finding and getting help. September 2023.
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