Long-Term Effects of Alcohol & How to Get Help
After a late night out including alcohol, you may wake up the next day feeling nauseous, groggy, or experiencing a splitting headache. We know these symptoms as hangovers, and they’re common short-term effects of heavy drinking that are often brushed to the side and seen as a part of life. However, heavy drinking goes beyond a simple hangover, and the long-term effects of alcohol can be more damaging than we think.
Alcohol is such a widely accepted drug that we often don’t think much when we see it everywhere we go; restaurants, television, grocery stores, advertisements, and celebrations are just a few places where it’s not uncommon to see alcohol. But what happens when heavy drinking and hangovers become a common occurrence for you or someone you know?
Research on long-term effects of alcohol is still ongoing, but experts have identified dangerous, sometimes lethal, long-lasting effects that heavy alcohol use can have on the brain that you should be aware of. Our staff of expert addiction medicine providers, physicians, and doctors are expertly trained in not just getting people help for alcoholism, but also how it affects the brain long-term.
So, regardless of whether you’re a casual drinker, binge drinker, or someone suffering from alcoholism, it’s crucial to know these long-term effects of alcohol so you can act before it progresses. Let’s explore the most damaging effects.
5 Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Drinking doesn’t just make you feel “hungover” or groggy—it can cause serious brain damage when consumed excessively for long periods of time. Our medical providers have identified 6 main long-term effects of alcohol:
- Brain damage caused by blackouts.
- Diminished gray matter in the brain.
- Harm toward others during drunken spells.
- Alcohol use disorder (or alcoholism).
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.
Exploring these dangerous effects is essential when assessing your alcohol consumption, dependency, and options for help when things worsen.
1. Brain Damage Caused by Blackouts
You may have heard of or experienced a “blackout.” Maybe you’ve partied too hard at your college frat party or had way too much to drink at your company’s holiday party. But blackouts are more harmful than we think, and they’re not to be brushed off as a common consequence of drinking.
Blackouts occur when drinking large amounts of alcohol too much, too quickly, and/or on an empty stomach, and cause lapses in memory. Often, the person wakes up not having any recollection of what happened when they were drinking. This is especially dangerous when you have a drinking problem, as those experiencing signs of alcoholism are more likely to experience general memory loss even when not drinking or intoxicated. Over time, this can damage the memory-processing part of the brain, as well, and lead to even greater memory lapses.
Blackouts Can Cause Injuries to Others
People who have blackouts are also more likely to physically injure themselves or others, which also causes long-term effects on everyone involved. For instance, heavy and binge drinkers reported higher numbers of drinking and driving episodes. Other times, blackouts can lead to fights that cause even greater injury to everyone involved. When you black out, you’re more likely not to remember these instances or the consequences of your actions, causing even greater harm.
Although blackouts seem like a temporary inconvenience that results from alcohol use, they can lead to much bigger problems. People who blackout are at extreme risk of:
- Falling and suffering a head injury
- Choking on vomit
- Experiencing seizures
- Extensive memory problems
Blackouts aren’t just a part of “partying hard;” they’re real, dangerous effects of alcohol that can cause extreme harm to both your brain and the lives of yourself and others.
2. Diminished Gray Matter in the Brain
Heavy alcohol use also significantly reduces gray matter: the part of the brain that is essential for attention, memory, and thought, and holds neurons managing motor control and coordination. This explains why long-term alcohol abuse is characterized by loss of memory and attention deficits. Excessive drinking damages the neurons needed to communicate important messages to the brain, like paying attention, remembering things, and staying balanced.
The brain is 40% gray matter, and it’s essential for some of our most important bodily functions, which makes this one of the more harmful long-term effects of alcohol.
3. Harm Towards Individuals During Drunken Spells
Going back to blackouts, alcohol use causes dangerously impaired short-term decisions that lead to long-term effects on not just you, but others around you. We know that drunk individuals exhibit a loss of motor skills, poor coordination, and aggression, but these effects that disappear the next day may have lasting consequences for everyone involved.
Drunk driving, domestic violence, and assault are examples of effects of alcohol that can create long-term impacts. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 32% of overall driving fatalities, and impaired decision-making can cause a greater likelihood of violence and assault. When you drink, your actions can become irrational and create poor choices, leading to aggression and fatalities.
Maybe you become angry at your spouse over nothing, start a fight with someone at the bar, or choose to drive home instead of ordering a rideshare. Although these appear short-term, they’re one of the more damaging long-term effects of alcohol that need to be addressed and acted on.
4. Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder)
One of the most apparent long-term effects is alcohol abuse and alcoholism, also known as “alcohol use disorder (AUD).” Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are different, but both have serious long-term impacts, both physically and socially, and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Alcoholism is a chronic brain disease characterized by a physical and unceasing dependence on alcohol, causing major disruptions in health, everyday life, and relationships. Alcohol addiction is also one of the most common addictions present in Americans. Some of the signs of alcoholism include:
- Increased tolerance to alcohol
- Displaying physical withdrawal symptoms
- Drinking in hazardous or inappropriate situations
- Lying about or hiding your drinking habits
- Putting alcohol above responsibilities, financial obligations, and hobbies
It’s important to remember, also, that alcoholism can kill; it’s the cause of 3 million deaths per year and contributes to serious long-term effects on both you and others. It’s a disease that can be cured, but requires treatment, so be sure to get help as soon as possible.
5. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1. Wernicke-Korsakoff is a result of the malnutrition that comes along with heavy and daily alcohol use, which leads to vitamin deficiency. Symptoms develop in 2 stages: the Wernicke stage and the Korsakoff stage.
- Stage 1: Symptoms include confusion and disorientation. After, lethargy, drowsiness, and indifference may occur. In extreme cases, delirium can develop, and, if left untreated, affected patients can experience loss of consciousness.
- Stage 2: This stage is characterized primarily by memory loss and impairment.
Data show that chronic alcohol use can make this syndrome worse and even cause levels of brain damage. The most serious cases have resulted in severe physical damage to the brain and memory, as well as cognitive issues. This is another reason why you should seek professional help when a drinking problem arises, as it can cause deeper health issues that many may not be aware of.
You Can Prevent Long-Term Effects of Alcohol by Getting Help
The effects of alcohol aren’t just annoying hangovers or short-term flu-like symptoms; chronic use can cause lasting impacts that affect you, your health, and the lives of others. Even if you don’t think you’re suffering from alcoholism, heavy drinking can still cause severe brain damage and harm to others. From memory loss to assault, the long-term effects of alcohol are substantial if not addressed early.
But you don’t have to let these outcomes take root. Being honest with yourself, reflecting on your drinking habits and patterns, and being proactive in finding help are some of the best ways you can prevent these consequences before it’s too late. There are dozens of treatment options available for alcohol addiction that focus on long-term harm reduction and prevention strategies to help you find recovery.
When you think it’s time to take action for your drinking habits, we’re only a call away. Schedule an appointment with us for a professional consultation and get a comprehensive treatment plan that values your health, needs, and goals. You can reclaim your life from alcohol today by taking that first step, and we’re here when you’re ready.
About Master Center
Master Center is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.
