If left unchecked, alcoholism and its effects on the human body can wreak havoc on a person’s health. From potentially causing issues with your organs to increasing your risk of certain cancers later on in life, it’s clear that prolonged heavy drinking can harm the body in multiple ways.
In this article, we outline several of the major health risks associated with extreme alcohol use over an extended time. These include liver disease, negative effects on the brain and nervous system, possible heart problems, and having an enhanced risk of various cancers.
Increased Risk of Liver Disease
One of the most commonly acknowledged complications from alcohol use disorder (AUD) that someone can get is liver disease. As the primary organ where toxins are filtered out of the bloodstream, the liver is one of the most critical, yet most resilient organs in the human body. It’s even capable of fully regenerating itself; that is, if it hasn’t been pushed past a certain point by alcohol abuse or other conditions.
When alcohol is ingested, the liver is tasked with breaking it down into a non-toxic compound, which kills liver cells in the process. If alcohol is drunk infrequently enough, the liver is usually strong enough to heal itself each time without major health complications. However, when the liver is constantly assaulted with alcohol (as in AUD) and doesn’t have a chance to fully recover, an individual’s health can be negatively impacted. Over time, heavy alcohol use can cause a buildup of fat in the liver to occur, which can then lead to more serious conditions like the development of scar tissue. If drinking is ceased and other healthy lifestyle changes are made, the fat buildup in the liver can be reversed in many cases before scar tissue develops.
However, when enough scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver, it can deteriorate in function, resulting in conditions like alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Both of these conditions can be fatal and are extremely serious, requiring immediate medical attention. If an individual has struggled with responsible alcohol use, it’s imperative for them to stop drinking alcohol before serious liver conditions like these can develop, as it may be too late to reverse the damage once this point has been reached.
Harmful Effects on the Nervous System and Brain
Heavy alcohol use is also known to result in the death of brain cells over time, which can cause a decline in cognition and other neurological functions. And, unlike healthy liver cells, brain cells don’t have the same regenerative properties. This means that once a brain cell dies, it’s a permanent loss.
Increased alcohol use may also exacerbate existing mental health conditions a person might be dealing with. If an individual struggles with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, heavy drinking may offer what seems like temporary relief from their condition, but it can actually worsen things by disrupting their brain function and chemical balances. The affected individual may then develop an AUD, becoming trapped in a cycle of experiencing mental health struggles and attempting to drink their problems away, only for their negative headspace to intensify the next day.
To prevent alcohol from potentially harming your brain and nervous system, it’s important to use it responsibly by drinking in moderation (if you choose to drink at all). If you struggle with your mental health frequently, it may be wise for you to avoid alcohol entirely.
Effects of Alcoholism on the Heart
Heavy drinking is also shown to negatively affect the heart. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, stroke and heart attack risk may be heightened in those who abuse alcohol, as well as the blood pressure of certain individuals.
Beyond the previous health risks discussed, it’s important to also be aware of your heart health when it comes to drinking too much alcohol. Many people may first think of other health issues that alcohol abuse can cause (like how it affects the liver) without also realizing its negative effects on the cardiovascular system. This is an important reason to drive greater awareness of how other essential parts of the body can be harmed from excessive drinking.
Increased Cancer Risk
Over time, heavy drinking can also disrupt the DNA of various cells in the body and increase an individual’s risk of several different cancer types, especially later on in their life. A few of these diseases include:
- Cancers of the mouth, neck, and head
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colon cancer
If you choose to drink, limiting your intake to fall within the CDC’s recommended guidelines (for men, two alcoholic drinks per day or less and one alcoholic drink per day or less for women) can help you lessen your chances of getting an alcohol-related cancer. With there being a direct correlation between drinking more alcohol and having a higher cancer risk, being mindful of your intake can help you lower your risk and stay healthier.
Where to Turn for Help with Substance Use
If you’re struggling with alcohol use and are seeking a way out, it’s important to be cognizant of all the available resources and to take the first step: Asking for help. Depending on the severity of your condition, options like residential treatment or intensive outpatient treatment may be viable for you. For more severe alcoholism, residential treatment may be a more effective option, as you’ll have medical supervision the entire time (in case any dangerous withdrawal symptoms might present during the detoxification process). Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can also provide a community where you’re able to lean on your peers for accountability and support as you navigate sobriety.
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we offer comprehensive treatment programs for addictive disorders and mental health disorders. If you are looking to make a change for the betterment of your health, relationships, and future by living a life free from alcohol addiction, contact us today.
