Alcohol consumption irritates the lining of the stomach and intestines. A night of drinking can cause uncomfortable symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Chronic and excessive alcohol use disrupts the balance of bacteria in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis). Over time, this imbalance drug addiction treatment triggers chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, leading to a higher risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
Digestive Problems
Whether you’re considering Sober October, Dry January or are ready to go booze-free without the help of a themed month, there are amazing benefits to breaking up with alcohol. Dr. Hannah Hildahl, UnityPoint Health, explains what alcohol does to your mind and body from top to bottom. An addiction expert at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center explains why binge drinking is dangerous. Alcohol impairment can lead to serious falls or vehicular collisions resulting in traumatic brain injuries.
Managing healthcare
- If left untreated, it increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, which is a rapidly-spreading and deadly type of cancer.
- The heat from that extra blood passes right out of your body, causing your temperature to drop.
- The term used to describe this dire situation is alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol also relaxes the muscles in the throat causing snoring and sleep apnea to be worse,” Dr. Hildahl says. Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. The endocrine system consists of hormone-producing glands in the body. These hormones influence various functions, including growth, metabolism, and breathing.
Reasons to Drink More Water
- The impact alcohol has on the reproductive system extends beyond these temporary effects.
- When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed throughout your body.
- Your gut microbiome is a hotbed of bacteria that help keep your digestive system happy and healthy.
Alcohol (ethanol) is an intoxicating substance found in beverages like wine, beer, and liquor. Shortly after consumption, your body rapidly absorbs alcohol into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, alcohol affects every organ in the body, including your effects of alcohol on the body brain.
Finding treatment for alcohol use disorder
If a person consumes large amounts of alcohol regularly, their tolerance can increase, and the body requires more alcohol to achieve the desired effect. Since the liver can only process the equivalent of one drink at a time, the body may remain saturated with the alcohol that has not yet left the body. It can also be difficult for the body to process, putting extra pressure on the liver, the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, and other functions. By Geralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHCDexter has a doctorate in psychology and is a licensed mental health counselor with a focus on suicidal ideation, self-harm, and mood disorders. There’s been an uptick in non-alcoholic drink options, as more and more companies are creating alternatives.
Women also tend to weigh less than men, so drink for drink, there is more alcohol in a woman’s bloodstream. The size of your body, whether or not you have eaten recently, and the rate at which you drink all affect how your body processes alcohol. Over time, your brain’s structure and function change, leading to tolerance, meaning you may require higher amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effects. These brain changes contribute to the compulsive nature of addiction, making it difficult to abstain from alcohol.