What are the Long-Term Health Effects of Alcohol Addiction?

Chronic alcohol use takes a toll on the body over time, affecting many systems and increasing the risk of certain cancers. The good news is that if you stop using alcohol, your health may improve, allowing you to live a longer life. You can seek treatment and start feeling the positive effects of sobriety.

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to understand how alcohol is affecting your body. This knowledge may bring the motivation you need to make a call for help.

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain

Over time, alcohol use damages the brain, killing brain cells and shrinking brain tissue. This leads to memory problems, cognitive impairment, and an inability to think clearly.

One even more serious complication of alcohol abuse is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS). WKS is a rare disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) that leads to memory loss. Chronic alcohol use can lead to a B1 deficiency.

WKS has two stages:

• Wernicke encephalopathy: A sudden and serious brain disorder that causes confusion, memory loss, loss of coordination, eye problems, and coma. This condition requires immediate medical treatment.
• Korsakoff syndrome: A long-term memory disorder.

WKS can be treated with B1 supplements, hydration, and abstinence, but memory issues may remain.

Effects of Alcohol on the Heart

Long-term alcohol use may lead to several heart conditions, including arrythmias, damage to the heart muscle itself, palpitations, and even a heart attack. One serious complication that can come from alcohol abuse is cardiomyopathy, which is an enlargement of the heart that leads to the heart not being able to pump effectively.

Effects of Alcohol on the Liver

It’s well known that alcohol use can damage the liver. This often happens in three stages.

1. Fatty liver: A buildup of fat deposits in the liver, usually asymptomatic, but may cause elevated liver enzymes and fatigue.
2. Alcoholic hepatitis: Liver inflammation, liver cell necrosis, and scarring. Symptoms include pain, weakness, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice, and abdominal distension.
3. Alcoholic cirrhosis: Scar tissue in the liver, and loss of liver function. Symptoms include the symptoms of hepatitis plus shrunken liver, enlarged spleen, hypertension, intestinal bleeding, and confusion.

Effects of Alcohol on the Pancreas

Alcohol abuse can cause pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, severe abdominal pain that can radiate to the back, and distention of the abdomen.

Effects of Alcohol on the Kidneys

Alcohol can cause kidney damage, making them less efficient and potentially leading to kidney failure.

Effects on the Gastrointestinal System

Alcohol can cause inflammation in the stomach and intestines and swelling in the esophagus. You may experience bloating, nausea, acid reflux, gas, abdominal pain, and cramping.

Cancer Risks

Alcohol can increase the risk of cancer for several reasons. Alcohol contains ethanol, which is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen. Alcohol also causes oxidation, which can damage DNA, fats, and proteins, and affects the way the body absorbs vitamins that can prevent cancer.

Some types of cancer that are linked to chronic alcohol use include:

• Breast cancer
• Liver cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Head and neck cancer

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Some of the damage done to your body by alcohol can reverse itself when you stop drinking. Most people with alcohol addiction, formally known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), however, cannot stop drinking without receiving treatment.

Treatment of AUD starts with a period of medically supervised inpatient detox. Withdrawal from alcohol is extremely unpleasant and can also be dangerous, so medical supervision is critical. Medications may be given during detox to make you comfortable, reduce your withdrawal symptoms, and minimize the risk of withdrawal complications.

Inpatient and outpatient treatment also include various types of therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common and effective therapy used to treat AUD. CBT involves learning to recognize and manage irrational or negative thoughts by rethinking them in a reality-based way, using reason and logic.

For example, people with alcohol addiction often have thoughts like “I can just drink with my friends on weekends”. In CBT, they learn why this is not a rational thought, and to turn the thought around into something like, “I can’t control my drinking, and I’ll be healthier if I quit completely.”

CBT also teaches coping skills to help you deal with life’s challenges without turning to alcohol.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is another common treatment for alcohol addiction. It’s similar to CBT, but also focuses on regulating emotions and practicing mindfulness.

Motivational therapy is another method, which involves setting recovery goals and building motivation to meet those goals.

Both inpatient and after care outpatient programs also involve group therapy. Patients are able to discuss experiences, struggles, and emotions with peers, learn more about addiction, and share coping strategies. This peer support has proven to be invaluable in AUD treatment.

Many people also continue to find peer support after treatment in support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

In Closing

Alcohol addiction can have serious health consequences over time. It damages your body and increases your risk of many types of conditions, including cancer. However, help is available at places like Bridges of Hope. You can overcome your addiction with treatment, and move forward feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your overall health will improve, and your life will be more fulfilling. Reach out today to get started.