What are the effects of alcoholism on an individual's health?

From the Guidelines

Alcoholism has severe and wide-ranging effects on an individual's health, damaging nearly every organ system in the body, and the most recent evidence suggests that it can lead to metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease, as stated in the 2025 study by 1. The liver suffers the most obvious damage, with conditions ranging from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis, which can be fatal.

• Cardiovascular problems include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and increased risk of stroke and heart failure.
• The digestive system experiences inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), pancreatic damage, and malnutrition due to poor nutrient absorption.
• Neurologically, alcohol causes both short-term cognitive impairment and long-term brain damage, potentially leading to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, characterized by severe memory problems.
• The immune system becomes compromised, increasing susceptibility to infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis.
• Mental health deteriorates with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk.
• Alcoholism also raises cancer risks, particularly in the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and breast, as supported by the study 1. Treatment typically involves medical detoxification with medications like benzodiazepines for withdrawal symptoms, followed by rehabilitation programs and sometimes maintenance medications like naltrexone or acamprosate to reduce cravings, as these health consequences occur because alcohol is directly toxic to cells, disrupts normal metabolic processes, and causes inflammation throughout the body. Key points to consider:
• Limiting alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women can help reduce the risk of alcohol-related health problems, as recommended by 1 and 1.
• Certain groups, such as children, adolescents, pregnant women, and individuals with a history of alcoholism, should avoid alcohol consumption altogether, as advised by 1 and 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Alcoholism In an open label safety study with approximately 570 individuals with alcoholism receiving naltrexone hydrochloride, the following new-onset adverse reactions occurred in 2% or more of the patients: nausea (10%), headache (7%), dizziness (4%), nervousness (4%), fatigue (4%), insomnia (3%), vomiting (3%), anxiety (2%) and somnolence (2%) Depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts have been reported in all groups when comparing naltrexone, placebo, or controls undergoing treatment for alcoholism RATE RANGES OF NEW ONSET EVENTS Naltrexone Placebo Depression 0 to 15% 0 to 17% Suicide Attempt/Ideation 0 to 1% 0 to 3%

The effects of alcoholism on an individual's health include a range of adverse reactions, such as:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• Neurological symptoms: headache, dizziness, nervousness, fatigue, insomnia
• Psychiatric symptoms: anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal attempts These effects have been reported in individuals with alcoholism receiving naltrexone hydrochloride 2.

From the Research

Effects of Alcoholism on Health

The effects of alcoholism on an individual's health are numerous and can be severe. Some of the key effects include:

• Liver disease, such as fatty liver, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, which can ultimately lead to hepatocellular carcinoma 3, 4
• Increased risk of pancreatitis, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and endocrine system disorders 3
• Negative impacts on the central nervous system, including autonomic hyperactivity, agitation, combativeness, hallucinations, seizures, delirium, and death 5
• Increased risk of infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes, and unintentional and intentional injury 6
• Negative effects on mental health, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric disorders 6

Organ-Specific Effects

The effects of alcoholism on specific organs include:

• Liver: alcohol-related liver disease, including fatty liver, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis 3, 4
• Pancreas: acute and chronic pancreatitis 3
• Heart: cardiovascular disease, including increased risk of heart attack and stroke 3
• Brain: autonomic hyperactivity, agitation, combativeness, hallucinations, seizures, delirium, and death 5

Treatment and Prevention

Treatment for alcoholism typically involves a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Some of the medications approved for the treatment of alcohol use disorder include disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate 7. Prevention efforts, such as low-risk drinking guidelines and public health campaigns, can also help reduce the risks associated with alcohol consumption 6.