As you drink an alcoholic beverage, alcohol moves into your bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. Alcohol is 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 can trigger systemic (bodywide) inflammation, which damages the body’s tissues and vital organs over time. Alcohol widens your blood vessels, making more blood flow to your skin. The heat from that extra blood passes right out of your body, causing your temperature to drop. On the other hand, long-term heavy drinking boosts your blood pressure.
- You and your community can take steps to improve everyone’s health and quality of life.
- Drinking any amount or type of alcohol has a wide range of short- and long-term effects on your physical and mental health.
- Women typically reach this level after about four drinks and men after about five drinks in two hours.
- If consumption stops suddenly, the person may experience withdrawal symptoms.
- Excessive alcohol use can harm people who drink and those around them.
- The risk of developing cancer increases substantially the more alcohol is consumed.
Inflammatory damage
Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight Alcohol Dependence, Withdrawal, and Relapse PMC loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. You can take steps to lower your risk of alcohol-related harms. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. If alcohol continues to accumulate in your system, it can destroy cells and, eventually, damage your organs. It’s always best to connect with your doctor before quitting alcohol.
Alcohol Poisoning
“The good news is that earlier stages of steatotic liver disease are usually completely reversible in about four to six weeks if you abstain from drinking alcohol,” Dr. Sengupta assures. Heavy drinking can also lead to a host of health concerns, like brain damage, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and even certain kinds of cancer. Along with the hormone changes that alcohol triggers, that can keep your body from building new bone. Your bones get thinner and more fragile, a condition called osteoporosis. Alcohol also limits blood flow to your muscles and gets in the way of the proteins that build them up.
Drinking alcohol can lower your inhibitions, so you might assume alcohol can ramp up your fun in the bedroom. Difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals from food can cause fatigue and anemia, a condition where you have a low red blood cell count. Ulcers can cause dangerous internal bleeding, which can sometimes be fatal without prompt diagnosis and treatment. Alcohol use can also lead to more lasting concerns that extend beyond your own mood and health.
People who choose not to drink make that choice for the same reasons. Knowing your personal risk based on your habits can help you make the best decision for you. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic brain disorder that makes it difficult to control alcohol use, even when it’s causing problems. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has information on how alcohol impacts your health. It also has resources to help those looking to change their drinking habits. And prolonged alcohol use can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
What is alcohol use disorder?
Long-term alcohol use can affect bone density, leading to thinner bones and increasing your risk of fractures if you fall. These effects might not last very long, but that doesn’t make them insignificant. If you or someone you know has any of the above symptoms, seeking medical care urgently is essential. At this stage, brain activity can slow down so much that your memory and ability to stay awake are severely impaired. You may experience a complete loss of memory, confusion, difficulty staying awake, or the inability to wake up.
Nutrition and healthy eating
Even if someone has stopped drinking and appears to be getting better, they could still be in danger. Alcohol left in their stomach and intestines can continue to enter the bloodstream, potentially worsening symptoms. The amount of alcohol that can cause alcohol poisoning isn’t the same for everyone. Your age, sex, and how quickly you’re drinking all play a role. Other factors include your medications and how much food you eat before drinking. Alcohol enters the bloodstream within minutes of drinking, and it takes about minutes for the blood alcohol level to reach its highest point.