New methods, such as virtual therapy and telehealth, increase accessibility. Recovery stories underscore the resilience of individuals, emphasizing that recovery is possible. Statistics show that seeking professional help for addiction treatment significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes. Heavy drinking often leads to financial difficulties due to spending too much money on alcohol or related expenses, such as cab fares after nights out drinking. Chronic drinkers often experience more frequent and severe infections due to compromised immunity.

Your Brain Shrinks

So for 24 hours after drinking too much, you’re more likely to get sick. Long-term heavy drinkers are much more likely to get illnesses like pneumonia and tuberculosis. A glass of wine may help you unwind and bring on sleepiness but how does it affect overall sleep? alcohol consumption can be a double-edged sword for chronic kidney disease patients pmc Alcohol is a depressant and has a sedative-like effect, which can help individuals fall asleep; however, an individual will likely experience poor-quality sleep. Alcohol affects sleep quality by interrupting the body’s REM cycle and interfering with respiration.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body?

The pancreas is essential for breaking down enzymes and starches (like those in alcohol). When the pancreas becomes irritated and inflamed, you can develop pancreatitis. Your liver produces enzymes that break down alcohol, but your liver can only handle so much alcohol at one time (approximately 1 ounce per hour).

1. A weakened immune system has a harder time protecting you from germs and viruses.
2. Of course, the short-term relief happens due to the chemical changes in the brain triggered by booze.
3. After years, that means you won’t be able to make the insulin you need, which can lead to diabetes.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

Drinking in moderation doesn’t always mean having a drink every day. Many adults who consider themselves moderate drinkers drink alcohol a couple of times a week, or less. The American Cancer Society says that alcohol consumption accounts for 6% of all cancers and 4% of cancer deaths in the United difference between crack and coke States. Unless you think you might have an issue with alcohol, there’s no need to go from 100 to zero. Many people would find this difficult since drinking is so ingrained in our everyday lifestyle and cutting something from your lifestyle entirely can lead to more craving than resistance.

Although there have been statements in the past asserting that moderate drinking can have some positive health benefits, the CDC now states that this may not be true. Although heavy drinking is more harmful than the occasional drink, even moderate drinking may increase the risk for some cancers and liver disease. The health effects of drinking alcohol in moderation can vary based on a person’s overall health, how much they drink, and other factors.

Even cutting back your drinking by a third can lower the number of injuries and sick days. Our treatment centers, operating at several locations nationwide, offer various rehab programs that can be customized based on the severity of your drinking and other personal needs. Millions of adults in the United States are dependent or addicted to alcohol in any given year. Although many adults in the U.S. who drink do not develop a serious problem, a sizeable amount of adults go on to develop a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. Alcohol can also impact the body’s ability to make the most of the food people consume.

This makes speech and coordination — think reaction time and balance — more difficult. That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking. Some of these effects, like a relaxed mood or lowered inhibitions, might show up quickly after just one drink. Others, like loss of consciousness or slurred speech, may develop after a few drinks.

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. Tolerance and dependence can both happen as symptoms of alcohol use disorder, a mental health condition previously referred to as alcoholism, that happens when your body becomes dependent on alcohol. This condition can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of symptoms you have. Here, you’ll find out the most common mental health problems due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Another way alcohol affects weight is by its caloric content. Alcohol is the second most caloric macronutrient (1 gram of alcohol equals seven calories ) and contains zero nutrition for the body. Most glasses of wine contain roughly 120 calories and this on top of a regular day of calorie consumption can lead to weight gain. 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.

Some people may also experience night sweats due to alcohol withdrawal syndrome or alcohol intolerance. If you’ve noticed consistent weight gain, it may be time to reflect on your drinking habits. Though men are more likely to have a drinking problem, there are unique physical and emotional factors that can lead women to have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. And if you’re drinking a certain amount of alcohol every day, your body will come to expect it. “The epidemiology shows that for either men or women, drinking eight or more standard drinks in a week has a linear association with alcohol-related health problems,” Dr. Schneekloth says. “The epidemiology shows that for either men or women, drinking eight or more standard drinks in a week has a linear association with alcohol-related health problems,” Dr. Schneekloth says.

Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. Mindful drinking offers that middle ground where you’ll proactively improve your drinking habits without any pressure the link between alcohol use and suicide to quit. It centers on being more conscious and thoughtful of how much, how often, and why you drink. As a result, you’ll enjoy better sleep, improved mood and energy, and fewer wellness issues.

NIAAA can help people find information and resources about AUD and treatments that might work best for them. NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D., said that as of May 2023, the institute is not aware of specific health guidelines on alcohol consumption for transgender or gender-nonconforming individuals. This form of arthritis results from painful buildup of uric acid in the joints. You can get gout from eating too much food high in chemicals called purines, which include red meat, shellfish, and alcohol — especially beer and liquor.