Sorting out the health effects of alcohol

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. By Geralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHCDexter has a doctorate in psychology and is a licensed mental health counselor with a focus on suicidal ideation, self-harm, and mood disorders. As the leader in addiction treatment American Addiction Centers specializes in helping people recover from alcohol addiction. The effects of alcohol can range from mild, such as skin flushing, to more severe symptoms such as passing out or vomiting.

Damage to Nerve Tissue

The trillions of microbes in your colon and large and small intestines are critical to proper digestion. They also help fend off inflammation and support healthy metabolism. That allows excess calories from the foods you eat to sit around, leading to weight gain. If alcohol continues to accumulate in your system, it can destroy cells and, eventually, damage your organs. And that’s on top of the toll that alcohol use can take on relationships, not to mention the potential for financial strain and legal troubles.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Misuse

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines moderate drinking as two or fewer drinks in a day for men and one or less in a day for women. Excessive (binge) drinking is defined as four or more drinks on a single occasion for women and five or more drinks on a single occasion for men. Drinking also impacts the sex-related hormones of testosterone and estrogen. Drinking can lower testosterone levels and cause sexual dysfunction. This can also create a negative correlation between alcohol and sex drive.

Immune System

When you drink too much alcohol, it can throw off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Dr. Sengupta shares some of the not-so-obvious effects that alcohol has on your body. For more information about alcohol’s effects on the body, please visit the Interactive Body feature on NIAAA’s College Drinking Prevention website. This loss of self-regulation can lead to oversharing, arguing or talking too much, unplanned sex or drug use, or physical fighting. Dr. Pascale Allotey advocates for comprehensive maternal health policies, stressing the importance of women’s voices in shaping effective healthcare solutions. The researchers next hope to explore how alcoholism affects other areas of the brain that interact with the dorsomedial striatum, and what might be causing the differences between males and females.

• “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.
• Any amount of alcohol can cause an increased risk of headaches, with symptoms worsening with greater consumption.
• Studies show that people with unhealthy drinking habits have a higher risk of developing a nightmare disorder and sleep apnea.
• With those who overconsume alcohol, the risks can be higher, including a more severe impact on the brain and even alcohol poisoning.
• Alcohol allergy and intolerance can result in similar symptoms but are caused by different underlying factors.

Increased Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Because alcohol is a depressant, it can also contribute to mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression. Research indicates that heavy alcohol use can also increase the risk of suicide. Whether it’s early on in health class, through family experiences, or in sporadic doctor visits, many of us learn that excessive drinking is ‘bad for you’ at a young age. Learning more about the specific impact alcohol has on the body’s organ systems can provide a helpful, and even life-changing perspective. While the harmful effects of alcohol long term effects of alcohol can be disconcerting, healing and risk-reduction is within reach.

The Effects of Alcohol: Dangers and Long-Term Health Risks

Alcohol enters your bloodstream quickly and can affect both your brain alcoholism symptoms and body within minutes of consumption. Here’s an overview of the immediate and long-term effects of alcohol. Alcohol can also increase the likelihood of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, and – combined with high blood pressure – can further raise the risk of heart disease and strokes, she adds. Despite these potential health benefits, most doctors don’t recommend that someone who doesn’t drink start drinking, or for a moderate drinker to drink more. That’s because these are only correlations (which does not necessarily mean causation).

Just as alcohol consumption causes a wide range of effects on the body and mind, so does the period of withdrawal. These effects contribute to day-after dread, even if you don’t have an anxiety disorder diagnosis. How long this anxiety (and other hangover symptoms) lasts depends on factors like how much you’ve consumed, your assigned sex at birth, and your weight. The study described above examined how much alcohol consumption might be too much. Light drinkers (those consuming one to three drinks per week) had the lowest rates of cancer or death compared to those drinking less than 1 drink per week. Heavy alcohol use damages the digestive system by disrupting the gut lining, leading to poor nutrient absorption and inflammation.

Short Term vs Long Term Effects of Alcohol Use

Alcoholics Anonymous is available almost everywhere and provides a place to openly and nonjudgmentally discuss alcohol issues with others who have alcohol use disorder. By Lindsay CurtisCurtis is a writer with over 20 years of experience focused on mental health, sexual health, cancer care, and spinal health. Lastly, hormonal imbalances related to alcohol use can also deregulate naturally-occurring cholesterol in the body and contribute to high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Another long-term consequence of unhealthy alcohol use is a chronic irritation of the delicate lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sorting out the health effects of alcohol

Short-term effects can last from a few hours to a full day, depending on alcohol levels in the bloodstream. Physical damage to the liver or brain may be irreversible, while mental and behavioral consequences may require prolonged treatment and support. The journey to recovery is different for everyone, but with the right help and commitment, individuals can reclaim their health and well-being. The long-term impact of alcohol abuse on the mind and body can also cause behavioral issues and hinder relationships with loved ones.