Drinking large amounts of alcohol for many years will take its toll on many of the body’s organs and may cause organ damage. Organs known to be damaged by long-term alcohol misuse include the brain and nervous system, heart, liver and pancreas. 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. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. Talk to a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your drinking or that of a loved one. Professional treatments and support can help you overcome alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder and improve your overall health and well-being.
Understanding Alcohol Abuse
During the end stages of alcoholism, a person may struggle with involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus) or weakness and paralysis of the eye muscles Sober living home due to thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency. Chronic, long-term drinking can contribute to malnutrition by replacing foods needed for essential nutrients and by interfering with absorption, storage, or metabolism of the essential nutrients. This can also lead to anemia when your red blood cell (RBC) count is lower than normal or there’s a problem with the hemoglobin protein inside those cells.
Liver
We maintain strict accuracy standards, sourcing information exclusively from credible sources for our website content. Let’s begin by looking at how the physical parts of the body are affected by long-term alcohol abuse. Alcohol can affect not just the person drinking but also their loved ones. That’s why reaching out to a caring professional or a supportive treatment center is so important. Drinking too much – on a single occasion or over time – can take a serious toll on your health. The whole body is affected by alcohol use–not just the liver, but also the https://www.sjdcaboairporttaxi.com/celebrating-my-1-year-sobriety-the-best-gifts-that-2/ brain, gut, pancreas, lungs, cardiovascular system, immune system, and more.
How Does Alcohol Consumption Impair Short-Term Memory?
Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows the body’s ability to ward off infections–even up to 24 hours later. FDA-approved medications can support alcohol treatment by reducing cravings and preventing relapse. These medications work best when combined with therapy and support programs. Treatment options include medical detox, therapy, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation. Seeking help early improves mental and physical health, restores relationships, and enhances overall well-being. Professional guidance can support long-term recovery and prevent further harm.
These brain changes contribute to the compulsive nature of addiction, making it difficult to abstain from alcohol. Thiamine deficiency, for instance, is common in alcoholics because of malnutrition. Symptoms include paralysis in the nerves in the eye, poor muscle coordination, and mental confusion.
- From immediate memory blackouts to chronic conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, alcohol misuse poses significant risks to brain health.
- Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, and the risk increases the more you drink.
- Over time, this imbalance triggers chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, leading to a higher risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
- High-risk individuals, including chronic drinkers and those with digestive disorders, benefit from thiamine supplements or fortified foods.
Drinking alcohol can dry out the skin, which can cause early signs of aging, wrinkles, and skin problems like rosacea and psoriasis. Long-term alcohol use can also slow down wound healing and raise the risk of skin infections. This highlights the need to limit alcohol intake to keep the skin feeling and looking healthy.
Imaging scans like ultrasounds, CTs, or MRIs allow a closer look at the liver’s size and structure. Sometimes, doctors do a liver biopsy to confirm cirrhosis or to rule out other diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis that might resemble alcohol-related damage (1). Lastly, in some severe cases of liver cirrhosis, fluid can build up in the chest cavity and impair respiration. Unhealthy alcohol use can cause a change in shape and loss of motion in the lower chambers of the heart, which is a medical condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This condition affects blood circulation, which can lead to other health problems. Chronic heavy drinking can limit social interactions, often causing individuals to prioritize alcohol over relationships.
- Without treatment, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome gets steadily worse, and can be life threatening.
- AA follows a 12-step program focusing on personal growth and community support, while SMART Recovery uses a science-based, self-empowerment approach.
- Cirrhosis occurs as so much damage to liver tissue causes the organ to try to repair itself, resulting in scar tissue.
- It can become severe and lead to encephalopathy, an inability to walk, and psychosis.
- This can also create a negative correlation between alcohol and sex drive.
The rate of alcohol-related emergency department visits increased by nearly 50% from 2006 to 2014, and about one-third of injuries treated at long term alcohol misuse may cause trauma centers are alcohol related. In addition, a significant number of sexual assaults involve alcohol use. Completely avoiding alcohol and eating a balanced diet can help minimize damage. Your chances for recovery depend on how early the disease is diagnosed and how much damage has already occurred.