Effects of Long Term Alcohol Abuse

Don’t let the effects of long term alcohol abuse ruin your life!

There are many different serious effects of long term alcohol abuse that can occur in a heavy user. The effects that take place can vary depending on a few different factors including the sex of the person and their weight. When a smaller woman drinks the same amount of alcohol as a heavier man she will likely experience a greater deal of damage. Typically, men are able to handle heavy alcohol use more than a woman.

Some of the most common effects of long term alcohol abuse tend to be overlooked. It is important to make sure that you or your loved one gets the treatment they need to overcome alcohol abuse.

Liver Disease

Liver disease is one of the most common effects of long term alcohol abuse. The liver is the organ that breaks down the alcohol and then excretes the alcohol into bile or blood. When liver disease happens, the user can also develop skin, brain and nervous system problems. There are three different types of alcohol induced liver damage that can occur:

• Fatty Live
• Alcoholic Hepatitis
• Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Gastritis

Another common effect of long term alcohol abuse is the development of gastritis. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. Some of the symptoms can that can be experienced include gas, nausea, lack of appetite, indigestion problems, severe stomach pain, dark or black stool and vomiting of blood. If the user has already developed gastritis, the alcohol they consume will have an immediate effect on the stomach and cause the area to become inflamed which could be severely painful.

Cancer of the Mouth and Throat

Cancer of the mouth and throat are two possible side effects of long term alcohol abuse. This can cause serious pain and sores in the area. There can be thick patches and lumps around the inside of the throat and mouth which makes it hard to chew and swallow. Cancer can also make it very difficult to move the jaw or tongue when talking or eating. Swelling and numbness can also occur and pain in the ears may develop.

Heart Related Problems

Heart related effects of long term alcohol abuse may include high blood pressure, stroke and other heart related problems. Drinking too much alcohol over a period of time can also lead to obesity resulting in a higher risk of developing diabetes. Additional serious consequences may include fetal alcohol syndrome, cardiopulmonary problems and sudden cardiac death.

Unintentional Injuries

Unintentional injuries that can be caused by alcohol abuse include events such as car crashes, burns, falls or drowning while under the influence of alcohol. These types of events can happen because the person may not be aware of their surroundings or their actions. Such injuries could cause other serious problems and may even be fatal. Most often, the person would never think about doing any of these actions if they were sober at the time.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is another one of the effects of long term alcohol abuse. When alcohol is abused the user will typically not eat a proper and nutritious meal. They will often skip meals or eat fatty processed foods that don’t give them the nutrients that they need. The body will have trouble recovering from the alcohol abuse without the proper nutrients it needs. During the withdrawal period, it is important that a well balanced diet is consumed. It is important to consume adequate proteins, fruits and vegetables in order to help the body heal during the recovery process.