Long Term Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Get Informed: Learn more about the long term effects of alcohol abuse and how it affects your life, even after you’ve stopped

Sometimes we think that a social drink is all we need to have a good time. Maybe, we rely on the stimulant effect of the substance to become less inhibited, feel confident or less stressed. But, have you realized how the long term effects of alcohol abuse can affect your life once alcohol intake becomes a problem?

As social drinkers we hardly ever stop to think about consequences of one drink. In fact, we really don’t see anything bad in having more than one if the occasion calls for it (a party or celebration, getting good news, etc.). Nonetheless, drinking too much can cause a variety of health problems that could be fatal.

One of the quickest effects of alcohol is the loss of inhibitions. This, by itself, can lead to risky behavior, poor decision-making, violent episodes, accidents… And, in the medium to long term, it affects our brain and the rest of our organs.

When you consume the substance, physical effects of alcohol don’t wait too long to make an appearance. The first thing is the chemical changes in your brain. This imbalance causes slowed reactions, slurred or heavy speech, trouble walking or keeping a steady pace.

But long term effects of alcohol are actually much worse. When you become an abuser you are at risk of suffering from impaired memory or memory loss, having episodes of blacking out completely, fainting spells and chronic migraine.

Furthermore, when you are a heavy drinker, your brain also suffers chemical deficits that affect you long after you’ve stopped and gotten rehabilitated. These long term effects of alcohol can lead to short-term impairment, but also to debilitating health conditions, that could require constant care for the rest of your life.

Other physical effects of alcohol, especially when consumed in large quantities and on an empty stomach,  is the appearance of ulcers, stomach pain and bleeding and cirrhosis of the liver. Some of these conditions can remain for a lifetime, or be a cause of death.

Unfortunately, the physical effects of alcohol mentioned above are not the only problem you man encounter as an alcoholic. Long term effects of alcohol abuse also affect how you behave in your daily life and how you interact with others.

Some of the long term effects of alcohol that may affect you this way are:

  • Believing that leaning on alcohol may solve your problems and relieve your stress;
  • Drinking early in the day, skipping work or social events because of your drinking habit;
  • Concealing your unhealthy habit by lying or withdrawing yourself from familiar situations or places;
  • Giving up other activities and hobbies, especially if they could limit your alcohol intake
  • Having constant and inexplicable mood swings

When you start to see these alcohol addiction signs or you witness long term effects of alcohol abuse, this means that you – or someone you love – is not only harming themselves, but engaging in a situation that could lead to illness, destruction of relationships, illegal behavior and even death.

Moreover, physical effects of alcohol not only cause the death of brain cells – which is a permanent damage – but can also lead to other mental health problems like depression, delusional thinking and even dementia.

What is important in this circumstance, is knowing that alcoholism is not a disease that has to take over your life forever. Medical detoxification and rehabilitation is needed to be able to beat overcome the addiction and regain sobriety.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.