The Effects of Alcohol Abuse: Physical and Mental Consequences of Alcoholism

The most serious consequence of uncontrolled alcohol consumption is death. It is the final loss in the battle against this severe disease. But before it comes to that, excessive alcohol intake wreaks havoc on the body. Continuous drinking can lead to permanent damage to internal organs and the brain. The effects of alcoholism also impact our surroundings — our relationships, family life, and work.

What Is Addiction?

If you’ve read a few of our posts, you’ve probably come across the definition of addiction before — or even an entire article about what it is. Still, we’re including it here again so that new readers can understand this text without confusion. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines addiction as a brain disease characterized by compulsive use of a substance despite harmful consequences. This is called chemical addiction — addiction to a substance. Unfortunately, we can become addicted to almost anything: gambling, shopping, pornography, or adrenaline. These are called behavioral addictions, where the compulsion lies in repeating a particular activity. One of the available treatment paths for chemical addiction is Help Me With Alcohol – Anti Alcohol Implantation Therapy, which offers medical support for individuals struggling with alcohol dependence.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption

You don’t have to be an alcoholic to feel the unpleasant effects of excessive drinking. The liver can typically process one standard drink per hour, but this depends on factors like weight, age, gender, and liver condition. Short-term effects of alcohol consumption include:

• Vomiting
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Loss of social inhibitions, leading to poor decisions
• Impaired judgment
• Weakened senses, especially vision
• Loss of consciousness
• Decreased body temperature and hypothermia
• Elevated blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Mood swings

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption

What happens when alcohol use becomes frequent and excessive? Chronic alcohol abuse causes permanent changes in the body and brain, including:

• Memory loss
• Reduced concentration and difficulty learning
• Shrinking of gray matter (responsible for muscle control, sensory processing, memory, speech, emotions, decision-making, and self-control) and white matter (responsible for brain connectivity)
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Liver cirrhosis
• Fatty liver disease
• Hypertension
• Heart arrhythmia and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Stroke
• Cancers of the esophagus, mouth, larynx, breast, liver, and colon

Physical Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Alcoholism affects the whole body, but some systems suffer more than others. One of the most affected is the skeletal system — alcohol interferes with calcium absorption, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The central nervous system can also be seriously impaired. Alcohol abuse may lead to vitamin B1 deficiency, which can result in Korsakoff’s syndrome (also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome or Wernicke’s encephalopathy). Symptoms include poor coordination, uncontrolled eye movements, and confusion. This condition can lead to irreversible brain damage or death.

Alcohol also affects the reproductive system. It can cause erectile dysfunction, irregular menstruation, and reduced fertility. Drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

Cardiovascular complications include not only hypertension, stroke, and heart enlargement but also blood clots, poor circulation, and heart attacks. The digestive system is also at risk — alcohol damages the liver (fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis) and stomach lining, leading to ulcers and acid overproduction. It also disrupts metabolism, potentially causing hyperglycemia, diabetes, and nutrient absorption issues. Alcohol stimulates the pancreas to produce harmful substances, leading to inflammation and digestive problems.

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Even occasional binge drinking at parties can leave us disoriented and impair our judgment. Long-term alcohol abuse, however, can cause irreversible brain damage. Alcohol is a depressant, although it may seem to make us more lively at first due to loss of inhibition. In the long run, alcohol abuse can lead to depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, sleep disturbances, and other mental illnesses. In turn, people with these disorders are at higher risk of addiction, especially when using alcohol as a form of “self-medication.”

Alcohol Poisoning

Excessive alcohol consumption can result in alcohol poisoning — a dangerous condition caused by a high concentration of alcohol in the blood. This may lead to brain damage or death. Blood alcohol levels can continue to rise even after a person stops drinking or loses consciousness. If you notice any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else, call emergency services immediately:

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Pale or bluish skin (cyanosis)

Remember: as long as you are alive, it’s never too late to begin recovery. If you suspect you may have a drinking problem, reach out to a specialist for a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.