Alcoholism: Top 10 Health Questions Answered

One of the chief reasons that causes people to examine their relationship with alcohol is health concerns. It’s no surprise that excessive and prolonged alcohol use increases the body’s risk of developing certain diseases. While the answers to the following common questions regarding health and alcohol use may seem disheartening, the body has tremendous reparative capacity when you stop or reduce drinking. Here are the top ten questions about alcohol use disorder (AUD) answered. 

1. Can Alcoholism Cause Diabetes?

There are a few reasons why alcohol use can increase the risk of diabetes, mainly due to diminished function of the liver and pancreas. Excessive drinking disrupts blood sugar levels, which can increase insulin sensitivity and raise the chances of type 2 diabetes. Drinking can also cause chronic pancreatitis, a progressive inflammatory disease that can lead to diabetes. Heavy drinking can also cause weight gain and obesity, major risk factors for this disease.

2. Can Alcoholism Cause High Blood Pressure?

AUD can lead to high blood pressure or hypertension, due to the effects of excessive drinking on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol raises blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to pump harder. Regular heavy drinking also disrupts the hormone renin, which can lead to higher blood pressure levels over time. Additionally, alcohol may contribute to weight gain, which is a major risk factor for hypertension. Over time, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions, making moderation or abstinence essential for cardiovascular health.

3. Can Alcoholism Cause Seizures?

Prolonged alcohol use can cause seizures when someone abruptly stops drinking, caused by overactivity in the brain. This condition, known as alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), includes symptoms like tremors, anxiety, and, in severe cases, seizures. Long-term alcohol abuse can damage brain cells and lower someone’s seizure threshold. For those with severe AUD, medical supervision is crucial when stopping alcohol to prevent seizures and other complications such as delirium tremens (DT). 

4. Can Alcoholism Cause Kidney Failure?

The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste from the blood and return filtered and clean blood to the body. Heavy drinking strains the kidneys by impairing their ability to filter toxins and regulate bodily fluids. Alcohol can also lead to dehydration, which reduces kidney function and increases blood pressure, a key risk factor for kidney damage. The liver is also an affected organ—because chronic alcohol misuse impacts the liver, liver disease can further strain the kidneys and increase the risk of kidney failure. Moderation is crucial to protect kidney health.

5. Can Alcoholism Cause Pancreatic Cancer?

The pancreas is essential for both hormone and enzyme production. Heavy drinking can cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which damages pancreatic cells and increases someone’s cancer risk over time. Alcohol can also interfere with cell repair mechanisms, leading to genetic mutations that contribute to cancer development. Alcohol-related liver disease may also further elevate pancreatic cancer risk, highlighting the significance of stopping or reducing drinking. 

6. Can Alcoholism Cause Hair Loss?

AUD does not directly lead to your hair falling out, but its effects on the body can lead to hair loss and thinning. Chronic alcohol consumption can produce nutritional deficiencies, particularly in zinc, biotin, and iron, which are essential for hair growth. Alcohol also impairs protein absorption, which can weaken hair follicles. AUD disrupts hormone levels, causing increased cortisol and changes in estrogen, both of which can trigger hair thinning or loss. Further, dehydration and poor scalp circulation caused by excessive alcohol intake harm hair health. 

7. Can Alcoholism Cause Schizophrenia?

Alcoholism does not directly cause the colloquial term schizophrenia, but chronic alcohol misuse can exacerbate its symptoms or increase the risk of mental health issues, including psychosis. Heavy drinking can disrupt brain chemistry and contribute to alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, which shares some symptoms with schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. Alcohol misuse may worsen underlying genetic or environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. Chronic alcohol abuse can also impair judgment and increase stress, potentially triggering latent mental health conditions. 

8. Can Alcoholism Cause Heart Failure?

After prolonged alcohol misuse, AUD can lead to heart failure. Chronic excessive alcohol consumption damages the shape of the heart muscle, a condition known as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, potentially leading to heart failure. Alcohol can also contribute to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and nutritional deficiencies, all of which increase the risk of heart failure. Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake is essential for preventing or managing heart failure associated with AUD.

9. Can Alcoholism Cause Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis is a severe form of liver damage that AUD is a leading cause of. Cirrhosis occurs because excessive alcohol consumption damages liver cells, leading to inflammation and scarring over time. This scarring, known as fibrosis, progresses with continued alcohol use and can eventually result in cirrhosis, where the liver’s structure and function are permanently impaired. Cirrhosis can create serious complications such as liver failure and an increased risk of liver cancer. Early stages of liver damage may improve with abstinence, but advanced cirrhosis is often irreversible. Reducing or stopping alcohol intake as soon as possible can help prevent further damage. 

10. Can Alcoholism Cause Hepatitis?

AUD can cause a form of liver inflammation known as alcoholic hepatitis. Excessive and frequent alcohol consumption damages liver cells, leading to inflammation and swelling. Alcoholic hepatitis can range from mild to severe and, in extreme cases it can cause life-threatening liver failure. Alcoholic hepatitis is distinct from viral hepatitis but shares symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and nausea. Early-stage alcoholic hepatitis may be reversible with complete abstinence from alcohol, emphasizing the importance of addressing AUD promptly.

When the body and mind are concerned, alcohol does more harm than good and leads to over 200 health conditions. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. If you are concerned about the impact of drinking on your health and wellness, help is available. 

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