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Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Your Mind & Body

Alcohol abuse can take a serious toll on both the mind and body, and the impact often depends on a person’s unique chemistry and how much they drink. Unfortunately, the stigma around alcoholism and addiction can make it hard for someone to ask for help.

By learning to recognize the early signs and symptoms—and understanding the effects of alcohol abuse—loved ones can better support those who are struggling.

If you need help understanding the symptoms or next steps, reach out to the compassionate addiction specialists at Arizona IOP today.

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According to the CDC, alcohol abuse happens when drinking puts someone at a higher risk for serious health problems or social consequences.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse

What to Look For

If you’re worried that you or someone you love might be struggling with alcohol abuse, there are some clear physical warning signs to watch for.

However, these symptoms only scratch the surface. Many effects of alcohol abuse go unnoticed by others and may only be felt by the person drinking.

For a clear understanding of what’s happening, it’s always best to talk with your primary care doctor or an experienced addiction specialist. They can help you get the answers—and support—you need.

Physical Signs of Alcoholism

  • Frequent smell of alcohol on the breath that lingers even after drinking stops
  • Bloodshot or glassy eyes that may appear tired or irritated
  • Dry skin, hair thinning, or brittle nails caused by alcohol’s dehydrating effects
  • Broken capillaries on the face or nose, often giving the skin a flushed look
  • Neglected personal hygiene or changes in daily grooming habits
  • Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite over time
  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin is a possible sign of liver damage from heavy drinking
  • Shaky hands or trouble with balance, sometimes linked to long-term alcohol use

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Symptoms of Alcoholism

The American Psychiatric Association outlines 11 key symptoms of alcohol abuse. Many of these signs aren’t always obvious to others, so someone could be struggling with alcoholism even if it isn’t outwardly noticeable.

Depending on how many of these symptoms a person experiences, they may be diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Understanding these levels can help guide the right kind of support and treatment.

What are the 11 symptoms of alcoholism?

  1. Drinking more than intended or for longer than planned
  2. Struggling to cut back or stop drinking despite wanting to
  3. Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from its effects
  4. Constantly thinking about alcohol or planning when to drink next
  5. Letting alcohol affect work, school, or family responsibilities
  6. Continuing to drink despite conflicts with loved ones or concerns raised by friends
  7. Giving up hobbies or activities once enjoyed because of drinking
  8. Taking risks while under the influence puts physical safety in danger
  9. Drinking despite health problems or memory blackouts
  10. Needing more alcohol to feel the same effects due to increased tolerance
  11. Feeling withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking

Stages of Alcohol Use Disorder

Stopwatch Showing The Mild Symptoms Of Addiction

Mild

2-3 symptoms are present

Stopwatch Showing The Moderate Symptoms Of Addiction

Moderate

4-5 symptoms are present

Stopwatch Showing The Severe Symptoms Of Addiction

Severe

6 or more symptoms are present

Alcohol Addiction Test

If you’re worried that a loved one might have a drinking problem—or even asking yourself, “Am I an alcoholic?”—there are several informal screening tests that can help you better understand the situation.

These tools are only meant as a first step. They can’t give you a final diagnosis, but can help reveal whether the effects of alcohol abuse may be present and if professional support is needed.

At Arizona IOP, our clinical team is experienced in evaluating alcohol addiction and other substance use disorders. If you need a formal assessment, reach out to us today for expert guidance and compassionate care.

Popular Alcohol Addiction Tests

Addiction Test Icon For AUDIT

AUDIT

Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test

icon showing giving information

MAST

Michigan Alcohol Screening Test

Icon showing a Test Paper For CAGE

CAGE

Acronym of the questions on the test

Are You Experiencing the Effects of Alcohol? We can help.

Side Effects on the Body

As Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) progresses from mild to severe, the body and brain often feel the growing effects of alcohol abuse. For some, these changes happen quickly; for others, they build up over time and become long-term health concerns.

 

Occasional drinking may cause symptoms that fade after a short while, but even one night of heavy drinking—or ongoing exposure to the effects of alcohol abuse—can trigger serious and sometimes lasting damage.

Short-Term Physical Effects

  • Loss of coordination, making it difficult to walk or stay balanced
  • Lowered body temperature, which can put you at risk in certain situations
  • Spike in blood pressure, even after a single night of heavy drinking
  • Loss of consciousness if alcohol levels become dangerously high
  • Nausea and vomiting as the body tries to process the excess alcohol
  • Alcohol poisoning, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition

What is Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning—sometimes called an alcohol overdose—is one of the most dangerous effects of alcohol abuse. It happens when heavy drinking floods the bloodstream with so much alcohol that the parts of the brain responsible for vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and temperature control start to shut down. According to the NIAAA, this can lead to permanent brain damage or even death if not treated right away.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Icon Depicting Mental Confusion the Negative effects of addiction

Mental
Confusion

Icon Depicting Excessive Vomiting the Negative Effect of Addiction

Excessive
Vomiting

Icon Depicting Alcoholic Seizures the Negative Effect of Addiction

Alcoholic
Seizures

Icon Depicting Breathing Problems the Negative Effect of Addiction

Breathing
Problems

Icon Depicting Slow Heart Rate the negative effects of addiction

Slow Heart
Rate

Risk Factors of Alcohol Poisoning

Several factors can increase the risk of alcohol overdose, including age, alcohol tolerance, gender, drinking speed, and even certain medications.

What may seem like minor short-term effects of alcohol abuse—such as loss of coordination—can quickly become serious. A simple fall while intoxicated could lead to a trip to the emergency room or even long-term complications.

Mixing Alcohol with Drugs

Mixing alcohol with drugs is one of the most dangerous choices a person can make. The combination magnifies the effects of alcohol abuse and can lead to unpredictable—and sometimes life-threatening—reactions in the body. This risky mix puts major strain on organs, increases the chance of overdose, and severely affects judgment, often leading to accidents or reckless decisions.

Some drugs commonly combined with alcohol include:

Long-Term Physical Effects

While the short-term effects of alcohol can cause immediate problems, the long-term effects of alcohol abuse reveal the true toll drinking can take on the body over time.

Image Of Liver Damage From The Long Term Physical Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

The liver takes the hardest hit when it comes to the effects of alcohol abuse because it’s responsible for processing and breaking down alcohol in the body. Younger or newer drinkers might not notice problems right away since the liver can compensate for a while. But over time, heavy drinking often leads to Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD).

ALD covers a range of liver problems that worsen gradually. In its most severe stage—liver cirrhosis—serious complications can develop, including:

  • Swelling in the abdomen or legs
  • Liver cancer
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney failure
Image Of Heart Damage From The Long Term Physical Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

Heavy drinking—whether it happens over many years or during a single binge—can lead to major heart problems. Over time, the effects of alcohol abuse may lead to conditions such as:

  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Arrhythmia
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Heart failure

Research shows a clear connection between alcohol use and heart health. People who drink 14 or more alcoholic beverages a week are about 10% more likely to develop heart failure, while those who drink 21 or more are nearly 48% more likely than non-drinkers to experience this life-threatening condition.

Image Of Cancer Cells From The Long Term Physical Effects Of Alcohol Abuse

Among the most serious long-term effects of alcohol abuse is its connection to cancer. Alcohol is recognized as a known human carcinogen, meaning it can increase the risk of several cancers, including:

  • Oral cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Colorectal cancer

Studies show that the more a person drinks—especially over many years—the greater their risk of alcohol-related cancers. Cutting back on alcohol can significantly reduce this danger and protect long-term health.

According to Cancer.gov, more than 20,000 people die each year from alcohol-related cancers—one of the most devastating long-term effects of alcohol abuse.

Side Effects on the Brain

Short-Term Mental Effects of Alcohol

Even moderate drinking can have harmful effects on the brain. While these mental and emotional impacts may be harder to notice, they can be just as serious as the physical effects of alcohol abuse.

It’s also important to remember that not everyone who experiences these short-term effects has Alcohol Use Disorder. These symptoms can happen to anyone, not just those struggling with alcoholism.

When someone drinks heavily, alcohol acts as a depressant—slowing brain activity and even shutting down critical areas responsible for judgment and self-control. The frontal lobe, also known as the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, is particularly affected by excessive drinking.

One of the most dangerous consequences of this impaired judgment is drunk driving. Alcohol significantly reduces reaction time, coordination, and reasoning skills, leading to deadly accidents. In fact, nearly 32 people lose their lives each day in the U.S. due to drunk driving incidents.

A blackout is a period when someone can’t remember parts—or even entire events—from a specific time. This happens because high alcohol levels disrupt the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming short-term memories. When alcohol blocks neurons from firing, new memories aren’t stored, leaving blank spots in a person’s recollection.

Blackouts often occur after binge drinking, especially when alcohol levels rise quickly or when someone drinks on an empty stomach. Combined with impaired judgment, blackouts can increase the risk of dangerous behaviors like drunk driving, unprotected sex, or property damage.

When it comes to mental health and alcoholism, it’s often a chicken-and-egg situation—making it hard to know which came first. It is common for people with alcoholism or substance use issues to also struggle with mental health conditions, a problem known as dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.

No matter which comes first, the effects of alcohol abuse almost always make mental health problems worse, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break without professional help.

Long-Term Mental Effects

Long-term mental health effects often appear in people who have been drinking heavily for many years. You or your loved one may not experience these issues right away, but learning about the potential consequences—and the lasting effects of alcohol abuse—can be an important first step toward making a positive change.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) is actually the combination of two related syndromes, both caused by a deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1). WKS is a serious neurological condition often seen in people with long-term alcohol abuse, and it can present with symptoms such as:

  • Confusion
  • Loss of coordination
  • Eye abnormalities
  • Severe memory loss

Up to 80% of people with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) have a thiamine deficiency, and most WKS cases in the U.S. are linked to alcohol abuse. Early detection can allow for significant improvement, but in severe cases, lasting cognitive impairments are common.

Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) is a chronic brain disorder that often develops alongside liver cirrhosis. When the liver can no longer filter toxins properly, these harmful substances build up in the bloodstream and reach the brain. Common symptoms include:

  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Personality and mood changes
  • Poor judgment
  • Seizures

In severe cases, HE can cause unconsciousness or even lead to a coma. This condition highlights one of the serious long-term effects of alcohol abuse on both the liver and brain.

Whether it’s alcohol-related cancer, drunk driving, Hepatic Encephalopathy, or another serious condition, alcohol can cause both short-term and long-term health problems with potentially deadly consequences.

While these effects are common among those who struggle with alcohol abuse, support and treatment can help prevent—or even reverse—some of the damage. Programs such as alcohol detox and inpatient rehab are designed to help people overcome alcoholism, regain their health, and learn how to live a life free from alcohol and the harmful effects of alcohol abuse.

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