While having one to two drinks a day might seem harmless, daily alcohol consumption increases the risks of long-term health risks such as alcoholic liver disease, cancer, neurological complications, mental health issues, and addiction.

Understanding the Impact of Moderate and Excessive Drinking

Daily alcohol consumption can range anywhere from moderate to heavy drinking, depending on the amount of drinks someone has per day or week. Moderate alcohol consumption, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is considered two drinks or less for men a day or one drink or less for women a day. Excessive drinking, for women, is eight or more drinks per week, and for men, 15 drinks or more in a week. Binge drinking for men is five or more drinks a day, and for women, it is four or more.

Both moderate and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dependence and addiction, along with other long-term health consequences. Even drinking alcohol in moderation can increase the risk of several types of cancer and heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, stroke, and death. Excessive alcohol consumption can further increase this risk and the early onset of such health conditions.

The Long-Term Health Risks of Daily Alcohol Consumption

Contrary to popular belief, regular or moderate alcohol consumption is not beneficial for your heart health. Drinking alcohol every day can lead to a range of health risks and problems in both the short and long term, including cardiovascular issues, pancreatitis, immune system dysfunction, gastrointestinal issues, and alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcohol-related liver disease, also known as alcoholic liver disease, consists of three stages: alcoholic fatty liver or steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. The first stage of alcoholic liver disease is when fat begins to swell in the liver parenchyma, leading to fatty liver or steatosis from regular alcohol consumption. The second stage, alcoholic hepatitis, is when liver cells begin to swell and inflame from heavy alcohol use. Depending on the severity of the condition, abstaining from alcohol and maintaining nutritional health can aid in treating alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic cirrhosis, the third and final stage of alcoholic liver disease, is when there is irreversible liver damage, causing the liver to become stiff, swollen, and unable to function.

Cardiovascular Problems

The cardiovascular risks from daily alcohol consumption can increase the development of certain heart conditions. Cardiovascular problems associated with excessive drinking include coronary disease, high blood pressure, fatal hypertensive disease, heart failure, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and cardiomyopathy.

Alcohol-Related Cancer

Consuming alcohol daily increases the risk of developing several types of cancers. The connection between alcohol and cancer is a result of alcohol being a toxic, psychoactive substance classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. The carcinogens in alcohol contribute to the onset of alcohol-related cancers such as bowel cancer and breast cancer. Alcohol can induce cancer of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, liver, colorectum, and breast. The amount and frequency of alcohol consumption can further exacerbate the risk of someone developing cancer from long-term alcohol abuse.

Alcoholic Pancreatitis

Daily alcohol consumption can lead to potentially fatal inflammation in the pancreas, also known as alcoholic pancreatitis. Pancreatitis from heavy drinking can range from acute to chronic pancreatitis, both of which have been the source of a significant amount of illness and death in the U.S. Alcohol-related pancreatic damage can lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, diabetes, and maldigestion of food.

Immune System Dysfunction

Alcohol weakens the immune system and its ability to function. When consuming alcohol daily, the immune system is less capable of fighting off diseases and infections. This increases the body’s susceptibility to diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia.

Neurological Complications

Alcohol’s impact on the brain can lead to memory impairments, emotional instability, and problems with decision-making. Daily and excessive use of alcohol can lead to permanent damage to the brain and a condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff (WK) syndrome. WK syndrome is a severe neurological disorder that is typically associated with a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency from alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Mental Health Issues

The link between alcohol and mental health has been associated with alcohol’s effects on well-being and the brain. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that disturbs the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically the dopaminergic, serotoninergic, GABA, and glutamate pathways. These neurotransmitter systems are located in the brain’s reward and stress circuits. Alcohol use often begins as positive reinforcement with stimulating effects while resulting in a negative experience, also known as alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal from alcohol may generate feelings of irritability, anxiety, depression, and dysphoria.

An imbalance of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation, can lead to the development of anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Someone who drinks daily may experience the “positive” reinforcements of alcohol and continue to drink in an attempt to avert the adverse mental and physical effects. For those with existing mental health issues, alcohol can exacerbate anxiety, depression, psychosis, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. The use of alcohol can counteract medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, reducing their efficacy for treating mental health problems.

Gastrointestinal and Digestive Problems

Daily alcohol abuse can interfere with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, damaging the lining of the stomach and intestines. The GI tract plays a role in alcohol absorption, as well as alcohol breakdown and production. Alcohol consumption can precipitate damage to the liver and other organs, especially when consumed daily or in excess. Regular or excessive drinking can lead to gastritis, ulcers, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, as well as maldigestion and malnutrition from alcohol inhibiting the absorption of nutrients.

Alcohol Dependency and Addiction Treatment in South Florida

Drinking alcohol daily can quickly become a regular habit, further developing into alcohol dependence and addiction. Depending on an alcoholic beverage every day for a “pick-me-up” or relief can be very dangerous as it often turns into alcoholism. Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are not only identified in individuals who drink excessive amounts and experience blackouts but also in those who partake in moderate daily use.

Drinking alcohol in moderation often becomes a daily routine, where individuals develop a dependency but attempt to normalize it. Many moderate drinkers deny that they struggle with alcohol abuse or have a problem since they’re only having a couple of drinks a day. Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the inability to stop or control one’s alcohol use despite its negative consequences.

If you’re struggling with alcohol abuse, dependency, or addiction, Palm Beach Gardens Recovery is here for you. Our alcohol addiction treatment programs in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, are led by our team of addiction and mental health professionals ready to help you on your road to recovery. Reach out to us today!

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024. Alcohol Use and Your Health.
• Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2024. Health Conditions: Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation.
• National Library of Medicine, 2023. Alcoholic Liver Disease.
• Mayo Clinic, 2023. Alcoholic hepatitis.
• Stanford Health Care. Alcoholic Cirrhosis.
• PubMed Central, 2022. Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Placing New Data in Context.
• World Health Organization, 2023. No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.
• National Cancer Institute, 2021. Alcohol and Cancer Risk.
• PubMed Central, 1997. Alcohol-Related Pancreatic Damage.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2022. Alcohol’s Effects on Health: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.
• PubMed Central, 2014. Neurotransmitters in alcoholism: A review of neurobiological and genetic studies.
• GoodRx Health, 2022. Why Does Alcohol Make You Emotional the Next Day?
• Alcohol Health and Research World, 1997. Alcohol’s Role in Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2024. Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder.