Physical & Mental Health

Health and safety impacts of AUD: What to know

While the effects of alcohol can feel good in the short term, in the long term it can cause problems for our health and well-being. The entire body is affected by alcohol use. But, for years, moderate drinking was presented in studies and in the media as something that might be good for your health. The main risk of alcohol was often talked about in terms of car accidents from drinking and driving. More studies now show that there aren’t health benefits of moderate drinking compared to not drinking. In fact, current research indicates that any alcohol use can have health impacts.

Drinking alcohol is linked to a range of mental health issues like depression and memory loss, can cause damage to your heart and liver and sleep disruption, and can increase the risk of cancer. It can also impact judgment and reaction time.

What to know about your Mental Health

Mental Health

Regular heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are important for good mental health. So while we might feel relaxed after a drink, in the long run, alcohol can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, and make stress harder to deal with. Alcohol use disorder is also associated with suicidal behaviors.

What to know about Sleep

Sleep

Alcohol is sometimes used as a sleep aid but it actually disrupts sleep and can cause insomnia in people who drink heavily.

While alcohol consumption can make a person sleepy and likely to fall asleep fast, it does interrupt sleep later in the night and can also cause a person to wake earlier. These disruptions harm the quality of rest. Sleep is important for overall health and well-being. Insufficient sleep can harm the immune system, the heart, and brain function. People with insomnia are at risk for depression and anxiety.

What to know about your Heart

Heart

Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems including:

Cardiomyopathy ‒ Stretching and drooping of heart muscle
Arrhythmia – Irregular heartbeat
Stroke
High blood pressure

What to know about your Brain

Brain

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Alcohol can even shrink the brain.

Alcohol-related dementia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WK syndrome), used to be referred to as “wet brain.” In heavy drinkers, a poor diet increases the chance of developing WK syndrome. Without treatment this can lead to permanent memory loss, and be life threatening.

Ongoing misuse of alcohol can cause brain damage and increase the risk for dementia.

What to know about your Pancreas

Pancreas

Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion.

What to know about your Liver

Liver

Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, and can lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammations, including:

Steatosis, or fatty liver
Alcoholic hepatitis
Fibrosis
Cirrhosis

What to know about Cancer

Cancer

Alcohol is a leading cause of preventable cancer. Drinking alcohol can cause or increase your chances of getting several different types of cancer, including:

Head and neck cancer, including oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers
Esophageal cancer
Liver cancer
Colorectal cancer
Breast cancer (see this page for more information)

What to know about Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

Alcohol alters hormone levels (including estrogen), which can play a role in the development of breast cancer.

A recent report from the U.S. Surgeon General found a 10% risk increase in breast cancer for women who consume up to about one drink per day; this rises to a 32% risk increase for women who consume more than two drinks per day, compared to women who do not drink.

Did You Know?

Many common medications—even over-the-counter remedies—can have serious negative side effects when combined with alcohol.

Learn more about the risks