Many are familiar with the immediate, short-term effects of alcohol consumption, such as impaired motor skills, reduced inhibitions, and dehydration. However, the long-term consequences of regular drinking may not be as well understood. While it’s generally known that chronic alcohol use harms the body, the specific long-term effects are less commonly recognized. Notably, alcohol is linked to cognitive changes, and these can lead to significant detrimental effects over time.
Long-Term Effects of Drinking
A sand clock symbolizing the long-term impact of alcohol consumption.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) annually surveys substance use across the United States. This organization gathers data on recent alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy drinking. Here are the key findings from the 2016 survey:
In 2016, 136.7 million Americans aged 12 or older reported drinking alcohol, including 65.3 million who engaged in binge drinking in the past month and 16.3 million who reported heavy drinking in the same period.
Approximately 1 in 5 individuals aged 12 to 20 reported current alcohol use. In this age group, 7.3 million people drank alcohol in the past month, with 4.5 million engaging in binge drinking and 1.1 million reporting heavy drinking.
The percentage of underage drinkers in 2016 was lower than in previous years from 2002 to 2014 but comparable to 2015 levels. Among young adults aged 18 to 25, about 40% were binge drinkers, and roughly 10% engaged in heavy drinking.
Long and Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption is associated with a range of both short-term and long-term health risks. These risks increase with prolonged use and can be challenging to treat, often leading to permanent damage to vital organs and a higher risk of death. In the United States, an estimated 88,000 deaths annually are attributed to alcohol-related causes, making it the third leading preventable cause of death, following tobacco use and physical inactivity. Physicians link several chronic illnesses to alcohol consumption and recommend abstaining to prevent worsening conditions such as heart disease, brain impairment, and liver disease. In 2010, the economic impact of alcohol misuse in the U.S. was estimated at over $249 billion.
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption
A small clock representing the short-term effects of alcohol consumption.
Short-term effects of alcohol consumption can vary from reduced inhibition and impaired motor control to euphoria and intoxication. These effects may escalate to unconsciousness, blackouts (known as ante retrograde amnesia), and central nervous system depression. Alcohol can permeate cell membranes, affecting nearly every cell in the body. In low to moderate amounts, alcohol can also cause or exacerbate sleep problems by disrupting sleep patterns and diminishing sleep quality. While it initially promotes sleep by increasing sleep-related chemicals in the brain, these effects quickly diminish once alcohol consumption stops, leading to disturbed sleep patterns and frequent awakenings.
Pregnant individuals face severe risks if consuming alcohol, as it can pass through the bloodstream to the developing fetus. This exposure can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including abnormal facial features, small head size, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and low IQ.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption
Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to severe long-term health issues, including:
Long-term heavy drinking can cause significant brain damage, often resulting in a deficiency of thiamine, an essential nutrient found in foods like meat, whole grains, nuts, and beans. Up to 80% of alcoholics develop thiamine deficiency, which can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. This syndrome causes mental confusion, eye nerve paralysis, and coordination difficulties. If left untreated, it can result in chronic learning, motor function, and memory problems.
Prolonged alcohol use also heavily impacts the liver, which is responsible for breaking down alcohol. Long-term liver dysfunction can lead to cirrhosis and further brain impairment. Beyond physical health, chronic alcoholism can contribute to antisocial behavior, irritability, chronic dishonesty, and difficulties in maintaining jobs or relationships. It can also lead to risky behaviors such as promiscuity, driving under the influence, and domestic violence. Withdrawal from alcohol can result in negative side effects like shakiness, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, sweating, nausea, headaches, depression, and loss of appetite.
Next Steps
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use, seeking a treatment program may be the right course of action. If you have concerns about your own or someone else’s relationship with alcohol, consider reaching out to a professional who understands these challenges and can offer guidance.
At Sunrise Recovery, we are dedicated to helping you achieve the life you envision. While the path to sobriety can be challenging, with determination and support, you can overcome it. The long-term effects of alcohol use will continue to worsen if left unaddressed, but you have the power to make a change today. Contact our alcohol rehab center in Indianapolis at +1 (877) 978 – 6747 to start your journey towards recovery.
