The Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK abuse alcohol, with roughly 602,391 people in the UK dependent on alcohol.

Excessive alcohol consumption and addiction can have a huge impact on your life – for example, alcohol addiction can impact your finances, relationships, and general well-being.

Alcohol can also have a range of negative effects on your body. Although moderate drinking may seem harmless, it’s important to understand how alcohol affects your body in the short term and the long term.

So, what are the effects of alcohol on the body? How does alcohol affect your body in the short term? And what are the long-term effects alcohol can have on your body and health?

That’s what we’ll be exploring in this blog post. Read on to learn more about the effects of alcohol, and whether the damage caused by alcohol abuse and binge drinking can be reversed.

How Does Alcohol Affect Your Body?

Before we discuss the effects alcohol can have, let’s determine exactly how alcohol affects your body. Alcohol can affect nearly every part of your body, from your brain to your liver, and even your immune system.

When you consume alcohol, it quickly enters your bloodstream and is distributed throughout your body. The effects of alcohol can vary depending on factors such as:

• The number of units of alcohol you consume
• How quickly you consume alcohol
• Your tolerance to alcohol

The Short-Term Effects Alcohol Has On Your Body

Alcohol can have immediate effects on your brain and your body, such as disturbed sleep, dehydration, and hangovers.

There is also the risk of alcohol poisoning when you consume a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time or mix alcohol with other substances. Here are some of the key short-term effects that alcohol can have on your body:

Immediate Impact on the Brain

Alcohol affects your brain’s communication pathways, ultimately affecting how your brain works. In the short term, alcohol consumption can change your mood and behaviour, making it more difficult to think clearly.

Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, slowing down brain function. When you drink heavily in a short space of time, you may notice immediate side effects such as:

• Slurred speech
• Impaired judgement
• Lack of coordination

Disruption Of Sleep Patterns

Alcohol can affect how well you sleep at night. Although it may make you feel sleepy at first, it can disturb your sleep patterns. The effects of alcohol tend to disappear after a few hours, which means in the second half of the night, you may experience poor quality sleep and wake up regularly throughout the night.

Dehydration and Hangovers

Alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration. Alcohol affects your body’s ability to absorb water and important nutrients, which worsens dehydration.

When you drink alcohol, you may notice symptoms such as headaches, nausea and fatigue – commonly known as a hangover.

To avoid hangovers and dehydration, it’s important to monitor your drinking and drink water while you’re drinking alcohol to pace yourself. Staying hydrated can help reduce the severity of a hangover and make you feel better overall.

Alcohol Poisoning

Drinking a large amount of alcohol or mixing alcohol with drugs can increase the risk of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is dangerous and can be life-threatening.

When you drink too much, your body struggles to break down the alcohol, leading to a dangerous buildup in your bloodstream.

Some symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow breathing
• Unconsciousness

If you recognise these symptoms, whether it be yourself or a loved one, seek medical attention immediately. Stay with the person, keep them awake if possible, and don’t leave them alone until help arrives.

The Long-Term Effects Alcohol Has On Your Body

Now you understand the short-term effects alcohol can have on your body, let’s explore how alcohol can affect your body in the long term.

Liver Damage

Alcohol-related liver damage is one of the most well-known long-term effects of alcohol abuse. Drinking too much alcohol over time can lead to conditions such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Ultimately, chronic alcohol abuse can impact your liver function and overall health.

Increased Risk of Cancer

Alcohol consumption is a carcinogen and is associated with several different types of cancer. Long-term alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cancers such as liver cancer, breast cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, and oesophagal cancer.

High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

Chronic heavy drinking can increase your blood pressure. In turn, this can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Weakened Immune System

Excessive drinking can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off infections and diseases. Alcohol disturbs the balance of immune cells in your body, reducing their ability to function properly.

It can also damage the lining of your gut, where a significant portion of your immune system resides. Over time, this makes you more susceptible to illnesses like infections, viruses, and even certain types of cancer.

Alcohol Dependence

Finally, alcohol abuse can increase the risk of alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism can affect all aspects of your life and can be difficult to overcome without the right support. If you struggle to control your alcohol consumption, or you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop dribbling, it’s time to seek support.

Can The Damage Caused By Alcohol Abuse Be Reversed?

In short, yes – much of the damage caused by alcohol abuse can be reversed with the right interventions. However, this depends on the extent of the damage and how quickly you identify and address it.

For example, if you have developed fatty liver disease due to alcohol abuse, quitting alcohol and adopting a healthy lifestyle can often reverse the condition in its early stages.

However, if the liver damage has progressed to cirrhosis, it is much harder to recover – and you may need a liver transplant to prolong your life.

Similarly, quitting alcohol can significantly reduce the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers and cardiovascular problems. If you’re concerned about the damage alcohol is causing, seeking addiction treatment is the best step you can take. This is something we can help with at Help4Addiction.

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction Today

If you have the desire to stop drinking but are struggling to do so, our team at Help4Addiction are here to connect you with the best treatment provider.

We can connect you with reputable rehab clinics across the UK, providing personalized treatment plans to help you overcome addiction and regain control of your life.

Don’t let alcohol addiction take over your life. Reach out to Help4Addiction today for confidential advice and support.