Alcohol is the second most widely used substance in the U.S., behind tobacco. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 86% of Americans ages 18 and older reported using alcohol at some point in their lifetime.1 Although alcohol can make a person feel happy, pleasant, and sociable in short periods of time, excessive or chronic, long-term drinking can lead to alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, officially referred to as an alcohol use disorder. Chronic alcohol use is also associated with other cognitive and mental health issues, including problems with learning or memory as well as exacerbating or causing serious mental health issues like depression and anxiety.2,3 Alcohol doesn’t just affect the mind; it also affects the body. Evidence suggests that even drinking within recommended limits may increase a person’s overall risk of death from various causes, such as from several types of cancer and certain forms of cardiovascular disease.4 This article will help you understand how alcohol affects your physical health as well as answer many common questions about alcohol and its short-term and long-term effects on the body. When you ingest even a small amount of alcohol, your body reacts in several ways:7,11,12,13,14,15
Drinking excessively within a short period of time, or binge drinking, increases the stress on your body and internal organs (and can result in feeling a hangover following a drinking session). High levels of alcohol in your body can result in headaches, severe dehydration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and indigestion.3 Drinking excessively, even on a single occasion, increases a person’s risk of detrimental heart effects. These effects include:16
Excessive alcohol use on a single occasion can also put you at risk of alcohol poisoning. This can occur when your body is overwhelmed by the amount of alcohol you drank and is no longer able to effectively process it from your system. You can experience a negative impact on your breath rate, heart rate, and gag reflex. Severe alcohol poisoning can lead to a coma and even death.3
When you drink excessively and over long periods of time, alcohol can potentially damage many vital organ systems in your body. These health risks include: 3,16,17,18,19
Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Alcohol’s effect on cognitive and psychomotor functioning can have dangerous and potentially deadly physical consequences. Alcohol also can lower a person’s inhibitions, so you may be more likely to make hasty, irrational, or irresponsible actions that may contribute to a loss of control, which can lead to many consequences, including violence or accidents.20,21
In addition to risking serious injury, the above consequences may also be deadly. Alcohol is a factor in about 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and homicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls.22 Additionally, the effects of alcohol during pregnancy can be particularly extensive and devastating for both a mother and her child. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Alcohol Health Risks
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