What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Alcohol?

By Patty Bell, Interventionist, Capo by the Sea

People might enjoy consuming a glass of wine or a couple of beers to experience the relaxing effects of alcohol. Because alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, it slows the heart and respiratory rates and swiftly induces feelings of relaxation. For most folks, partaking in an occasional drink is harmless.

All that changes when alcohol consumption becomes a frequent habit. As the brain adapts to the daily presence of alcohol, alterations in neural pathways and chemistry begin to pave the way for an alcohol use disorder (AUD). An AUD is a diagnosis attributed to unhealthy alcohol use that culminates in alcohol addiction or dependence.

Ethyl alcohol is highly toxic to the body. When we drink alcohol on a consistent, habitual basis we are ingesting a substance that can act as a poison in our major organs. As drinking escalates, so does its damage to the body.

Becoming aware of the danger that alcohol poses to our health is the first step in gaining awareness. Once you understand the long-term health issues associated with alcohol, as well as the mental health and social repercussions, you are likely to change the way you view alcohol going forward.

How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?

When alcohol is consumed it becomes absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach, and then makes its way into all the major organs. The liver is tasked with breaking down the alcohol but is only capable of metabolizing a certain amount per hour. This amount equates to about one standard drink per hour for men or two hours for a woman.

About 20% of the alcohol will pass through the stomach, which, if empty, sends it directly into the intestines. This is why having a meal before consuming alcohol is recommended, as the enzymes in the stomach help to metabolize some of the alcohol before it enters the intestines.

Long-Term Health Effects of Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse can have a devastating impact on health. Alcohol dependency will eventually cause a wide range of adverse health effects, including:

• Cardiac disease. Heavy drinking over an extended period of time can take a heavy toll on the heart. Two heart conditions that could result in death include atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, or heart arrhythmias. Alcohol can also lead to a heart condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which means the heart muscle becomes too weak to pump enough blood sufficiently to the organs. This heart condition can result in heart damage or heart failure.

• Liver disease. The liver filters the alcohol, so when it is inundated with high alcohol intake toxicity or alcohol poisoning, can result. Chronic liver disease is common in people with long-term alcohol dependence. Unfortunately, the signs of it may not be detected until later stages, such as when cirrhosis occurs. Cirrhosis of the liver, which often begins as fatty liver disease, is a fatal condition unless a liver transplant is successful.

• Cognitive decline. Excessive alcohol use can lead to brain damage, showing up first as reduced cognitive functioning and memory problems. Another condition that can result in brain damage due to alcoholism is thiamine (B1) deficiency. Also, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and Korsakoff’s psychosis can result, causing severe confusion, paralysis of the nerves around the eyes, impaired motor coordination, and memory loss.

• Gastrointestinal problems. Alcoholism can cause the stomach to produce excess acid, leading to gastritis. Alcohol abuse also causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining, which can cause internal bleeding and ulcers. The resulting loss of blood can lead to anemia, which causes extreme fatigue.

• Cancer. Alcoholism increases the risk of developing multiple types of cancer. Symptoms that may indicate cancer is present will depend on the type of cancer, but symptoms generally begin with weight loss, fatigue, and region-specific pain. Types of cancer associated with heavy alcohol consumption include oral, throat, esophageal, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and breast cancer.

What Does Treatment for Alcoholism Look Like?

It is possible to halt the decline in alcohol-related health conditions and rebuild wellness. This will only happen, however, if the individual is ready and willing to commit to sobriety. A comprehensive rehabilitation program can assist them in achieving that goal:

• Detox. Completing a medical detox is step one in recovery. Trained detox specialists will carefully monitor emerging withdrawal symptoms and provide medical support to help ease discomfort. Detox and withdrawal take about one week on average.

• Psychotherapy. After detox is completed the treatment phase of recovery begins. There are outpatient treatment or residential treatment options available. Evidence-based psychotherapies are central to most rehab programs, with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) utilized extensively. CBT is a proven therapy that helps to change thoughts and actions, breaking the patterns that led to dependence. 

• Group therapy. Small group sessions with a therapist or clinician create the important peer support piece of recovery. These sessions help the group practice new communication and coping skills while providing a safe and supportive setting for sharing.

Get Healthy in Recovery

While in treatment a new, healthy lifestyle begins and then continues in recovery. Emphasizing health and wellness in recovery can be protective against relapse. This is aided through embracing a regular fitness routine and committing to healthy habits, such as getting sufficient sleep and eating nutritious foods.

In recovery, it is absolutely possible to rebuild both physical and mental health. In addition to the efforts to improve physical health, by practicing holistic methods like mindfulness and yoga, you can also improve the mood state. Much of the damage that resulted from alcoholism, on all levels, can be reversed with a commitment to recovery, allowing you to enjoy a full and healthy life ahead.

About the Author

Jack Platt is the LCSW of Capo by the Sea, a luxury addiction and dual diagnosis treatment program located in South Orange County, California. With over 30 years of professional experience in mental and behavioral health, Platt is a licensed clinical social worker, a nationally certified master addiction counselor (MAC), an internationally certified alcohol and drug counselor (IAOD), and has a lifetime teaching certificate for the California State Community College system.