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Long-Term Impact of Alcohol Abuse

Drinking at a moderate level usually causes no risk to health. A moderate level of drinking for women or people over 65 is one alcoholic drink a day and, for men, two alcoholic drinks per day. Drinking above these levels carries the risk of adverse effects that can increase over time.

  1. Liver Disease

    • The liver is often damaged during alcohol abuse beginning with a common almost symptom-free fatty liver and progressing to liver cirrhosis where the normal tissue of the liver is replaced with scar tissue. Cirrhosis is life-threatening if alcohol continues to be consumed, and it cannot be reversed.

    Heart Disease

    • Drinking at moderate levels can be beneficial to the heart of a healthy person but long-term alcohol abuse can result in high blood pressure, heart disease and some forms of stroke.

    Reproduction

    • Abusing alcohol over a prolonged period can reduce testosterone levels in men, resulting in testicular shrinkage and impotence. In women, alcohol abuse can result in an irregular menstrual cycle, reduced sex drive and, in extreme cases, infertility.

    Cancer

    • Long-term alcohol abuse can increase the risk of some forms of cancer including cancer of the esophagus, mouth, throat and voice box. The risk of other forms of cancer is also increased with long-term alcohol abuse, including colon and rectal cancer.

    Pancreatitis

    • The pancreas helps to produce insulin in order to regulate blood sugar levels and digest food. An inflamed pancreas, known as pancreatitis, can be fatal. It carries symptoms of abdominal pain and weight loss.

    Brain

    • Long-term abuse of alcohol can damage connections between nerve cells, resulting in memory loss, personality changes and brain damage.

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