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Long-Term Physical & Health Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Drinking alcohol is a personal choice, and many people consume alcohol occasionally or in moderation without harmful effects. But when alcohol is abused, it can result in several serious physical and psychological problems. It's important that all individuals understand the short- and long-term effects of drinking alcohol in order to make educated choices on the matter.

  1. Liver Disease

    • According to the American Liver Foundation, alcohol has a negative effect on liver cells and can become seriously damaged or diseased if an individual abuses the substance. Chronic alcohol abuse can cause cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. Liver cancer is also primarily caused by alcohol abuse. In order to treat liver disease, individuals must abstain from alcohol and in cases of severe liver damage, a liver transplant may be necessary.

    Heart Disease

    • While Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that moderate alcohol consumption may lower your risk of heart disease, alcohol abuse can lead to high blood pressure and heart failure. Moderate alcohol is considered one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse on the heart include raising the level of fats in blood, increased calorie consumption, cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension. These conditions may cause strokes or sudden cardiac death.

    Nervous System Problems

    • The central nervous system includes the brain, nerves and spinal cord. Alcohol abuse has a direct effect on the central nervous system and may cause alcoholic neuropathy. This condition reduces nerve functionality, and individuals who have abused alcohol over time may lose feeling or sensation in certain parts of the body. West Virginia University also reports that alcohol abuse may lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks and possibly suicide.

    Digestive System Problems

    • Alcohol abuse over a long period of time can be damaging to the stomach, large intestine, small intestine and pancreas. Intestinal and stomach ulcers can develop because of alcohol, while the pancreas may start producing too much insulin, which causes low blood sugar and may lead to diabetes. The University of North Carolina reports that 2 to 4 percent of cancers are related to alcohol. These cancers usually involve the stomach, pancreas, esophagus and colon.

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