Lisa Miller Client Service Practice Leader View Bio

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month in America and provides an opportunity to increase awareness of alcohol addiction. The observance aims to bring an understanding of alcohol’s causes and the effective treatments available. This is also an opportunity for people to share their experiences with alcoholism, recover, and support others seeking recovery.

ALCOHOL-RELATED ILLNESSES

Those who drink alcohol excessively regularly may experience fatigue, short-term memory loss, and many other adverse health effects, including:

Excessive consumption of alcohol (more than two drinks per day for a man under 65 and more than one drink per day for a woman under 65) can cause many health effects.  In the short term, alcohol depresses the central nervous system, lowers inhibitions, impairs speech, and reduces muscle coordination. In extreme amounts, alcohol can significantly depress the vital centers of the brain and can cause a coma.

Liver Disorders

  • Heavy drinking can cause hepatitis (alcoholic inflammation of the liver), and after years of drinking, hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver.

Gastrointestinal Problems

  • Excessive alcohol consumption can result in inflammation of the stomach lining, which interferes with the absorption of B vitamins.
  • Heavy drinking can also damage the pancreas, which regulates metabolism and produces enzymes to help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Cardiovascular Problems

  • Heavy drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk of a heart attack.

Diabetes Complications

  • Alcohol can increase the risk of low blood sugar because it prevents the release of glucose from the liver, which can be especially dangerous for those with diabetes who already experience problems with low blood sugar.

Sexual Dysfunction and Irregular Menstruation

  • Heavy alcohol consumers who are male are at risk of erectile dysfunction, and female heavy drinkers can suffer from interruptions in their menstruation cycles.

Birth Defects

  • Drinking alcohol while pregnant may cause fetal alcohol syndrome. This condition can cause developmental disabilities, heart defects, shortening of the eyelids, and other defects in children.

Bone Loss

  • Alcohol can interfere with bone growth and increase the risk of fractures.

Neurological Complications

  • Heavy drinking can cause numbness in the hands and feet and dementia.

Increased Cancer Risks

  • Habitual alcohol use increases the risk of esophageal, laryngeal, liver, and colon cancer.

In addition to the health risks of excessive alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse is also linked to:

  • Domestic abuse and divorce
  • Poor performance at work and school
  • Higher risk of motor vehicle crashes and drunk driving
  • Greater likelihood of other injuries as a result of being impaired by alcohol
  • Higher incidence of suicide

The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator can help you recognize and find high-quality treatment for alcohol use disorder. If you drink excessively, seek medical help to plan a safe recovery, as sudden abstinence can be life-threatening.