With each alcohol withdrawal episode, the brain and nervous system becomes more sensitised and the long term effects of alcohol resulting side effects become more pronounced. After drinking 8 to 9 units of alcohol, your reaction times will be much slower, your speech will begin to slur and your vision will begin to lose focus. Alcohol is a powerful chemical that can have a wide range of adverse effects on almost every part of your body, including your brain, bones and heart. But if you feel you need extra help, you may want to check out your local branch of Alcoholics Anonymous. If you have a little too much alcohol once in a while, it probably won’t do lasting damage if you’re otherwise healthy. Give us a call or complete our convenient online form to get in touch with one of our addiction treatment specialists.
- There are many short-term risks of drinking, and these increase with the amount a person drinks at once, and with frequency of drinking.
- Our team can help you determine if your addiction treatment at Evoke Wellness could be at little to no-cost to you.
- The above risks are much more likely in individuals with substance abuse disorders and alcohol dependence as continued excessive alcohol use exacerbates health problems over time.
- Following a prolonged withdrawal period, EtOH-exposed male rats exhibited deficits in adaptability and exploratory behavior, with aberrant outcome-driven value updating that heightened preference for chosen action.
- You can also practice harm reduction when drinking by avoiding drinking games and avoiding drinking on certain medications.
- Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health concur that there is conclusive evidence that alcohol causes several types of cancer.
A new study could change what’s considered moderate drinking
Recent studies show that seeking treatment increases your chances of long-term recovery by up to 60%. Don’t wait to take the first step toward a healthier, alcohol-free life. Reach out to addiction specialists today to explore personalized treatment options and start your journey to lasting sobriety. In addition to neurological complications, alcoholism frequently co-occurs with psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. Excessive drinking often exacerbates symptoms of these conditions by disrupting the brain’s delicate chemical balance.
Eye Clues May Reveal Early Dementia Risk
Read on to learn the ins and outs of Oxford House alcohol’s impact on our health, both physical and mental, as well as information on overdose and addiction. Alcohol affects countless areas of health and can become particularly dangerous when abused—for example, short-term threats like alcohol overdose or long-term threats like liver disease. Upon reaching out to our helpline, you’ll engage with a dedicated treatment specialist ready to guide you through the various mental health and addiction recovery services available at any Lumina facility. Reducing or quitting alcohol can lower your risk of these long-term effects and help you feel sharper, stronger, and healthier overall. The team only found the behavioral and neural impairments only in male rats. The team does not believe this suggests female rats are immune from the effects of alcohol, but that there could be sex-related sensitivities in long-term alcohol effects on brain function.
Compounding Health Issues
- Alcohol poisoning can cause a person to fall into a coma and could lead to their death.
- The alcohol had damaged neural circuits causing alcohol-exposed rats to process information less effectively.
- Over time, this can give you ulcers and chronic inflammation in your stomach, esophagus, and gut.
- It’s important to note that we do not gain financially or in any other form from referrals to different treatment centers.
- A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that combining different evidence-based interventions can improve treatment engagement and long-term recovery rates.
The liver is the body’s detox powerhouse, but alcohol overloads it like a Monday morning inbox. Over time, excessive drinking can lead to fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis—a deadly condition where healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue. One of the key benefits of an alcohol addiction treatment program is the personalized care you receive. Each individual’s journey to recovery is unique, and these programs tailor their approach to meet your specific needs and circumstances. According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, tailoring treatment plans to individual patients can significantly improve outcomes. Alcohol poisoning occurs when the body has consumed more alcohol in a short period of time than it can process.
Organs known to be damaged by long-term alcohol misuse include the brain and nervous system, heart, liver and pancreas. People who drink and smoke have an elevated risk of developing cancer of the mouth, pharynx and larynx. Alcohol makes it easier for the body to absorb the carcinogens in cigarettes and e-vapes. Smoking by itself can also cause inflammation and induce free radicals that damage DNA. Alcohol can also directly affect hormone levels in ways that increase cancer risk.
Long-Term Health Risks Of Alcohol Abuse
Chronic alcohol consumption results in a broad spectrum of damage across the digestive system, from the oral cavity to the rectum. The severity of damage depends on factors such as the amount and frequency of alcohol intake, genetic predisposition, and the presence of other risk factors. The interaction of alcohol with other drugs, particularly in women, can further exacerbate its harmful effects.