Author: Charles Frank

Alcohol use disorder Symptoms and causes

Alcohol abuse can lead to poor vitamin D production and an imbalance of calcium in the body – both of which are needed for strong bones. The constant presence of alcohol in the digestive system can wear down the lining of the stomach, triggering an increase in acid production. Alcohol can also impair the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, which can lead to numerous health issues due to deficiencies in nutrients.

This condition can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of symptoms you have. Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. Female binge drinkers have higher absenteeism by 0.4–0.9 days. Premature mortality is another large contributor to indirect costs of alcohol dependence.[218] In 2004, 3.8% of global deaths were attributable to alcohol (6.3% for men and 1.1% for women). Those under 60 years old have much higher prevalence in global deaths attributable to alcohol at 5.3%.

An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help. If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider.

Alcohol use disorder includes a level of drinking that’s sometimes called alcoholism. Drinking alcohol can raise the risk of cancer in numerous areas throughout the body. A chronic drinker may have cancer of the breast, liver, rectum, colon, esophagus, larynx, throat, and mouth.

Binge drinking too often can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. It can also increase snoring and sleep apnea, making it hard to get a good night’s rest. If you have a little too much alcohol once in a while, it probably won’t do lasting damage if you’re otherwise healthy. Long-term alcohol use can affect bone density, leading to thinner bones and increasing your risk of fractures if you fall. Experts recommend avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Hematologic diseases

If your pancreas and liver don’t function properly due to pancreatitis or liver disease, you could experience low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Alcohol also has detrimental effects on the brain, especially with long-term use. However, if you keep using heavy amounts of alcohol, you risk more serious brain issues. It can inflame the stomach lining, causing heartburn and nausea.

Drinking too much alcohol can elevate blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Repeated binge drinking can keep your blood pressure at high levels, increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke. If you drink heavily and you suddenly detox, you may experience high blood pressure for several days.

But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions. 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. This is when your body doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells to move oxygen around. Too much booze may also make you more likely to skip meals, which can short-change your body of iron. Too much alcohol can harm you physically and mentally in lots of ways.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Liver & Pancreas

Chronic drinking can affect your heart and lungs, raising your risk of developing heart-related health issues. Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function. Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem.

1. If you think you might have a problem with alcohol, get help.
2. That’s because drinking during pregnancy doesn’t just affect your health.
3. People who drink for years may also experience memory loss and language impairment.
4. But if you feel you need extra help, you may want to check out your local branch of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Certain factors may increase your chances of experiencing alcohol use disorder. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can also lead to dependence, which means your body and brain have grown used to alcohol’s effects. With these conditions, you’ll only notice symptoms during alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. These symptoms typically improve quickly when alcohol use stops. That’s because drinking during pregnancy doesn’t just affect your health. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery.

This makes speech and coordination — think reaction time and balance — more difficult. That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking. If your body can’t manage and balance your blood sugar levels, you may experience greater complications and side effects related to diabetes. By not drinking too much, you can reduce the risk of these short- and long-term health risks.

High Blood Pressure

Alcohol can kill liver cells, and lead to scarring called cirrhosis. Long-term heavy use of alcohol also may give you alcoholic fatty liver disease, a sign that your liver doesn’t work as well as it should. The long term effects of alcohol on the central nervous system are widespread. You may suffer from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or even trauma-related issues.

It can lead to cancers in your liver, breast, and intestines. Alcohol can help cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco and other sources enter your cells more easily. Heavy drinking can cause changes in metabolism, which, in turn, can lead to reduced grey or white matter in the brain.

This is a common withdrawal symptom when going through an alcohol detox program. The long-term effects of alcohol can impact virtually every area of your life, including your health, relationships, career, finances, and emotional or mental state. If you have a problem with alcohol, now is the time to get help at a South Florida detox center. Regardless of whether you are a social drinker or have alcohol use disorder (AUD), there are consequences to drinking alcohol. Let’s take a closer look below at the long term effects of alcohol and how they affect your life. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Summit detox.