Drinking alcohol is always a fun and social way to spend an evening with friends or unwind after stress. But drinking too much can have serious health consequences. Excessive drinking, also known as heavy drinking, is defined as regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol over an extended period. Alcohol abuse is a significant cause of illness and disability for adults. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 3.3 million deaths yearly are caused by alcohol consumption. In the United Kingdom, alcohol-related deaths have increased, especially recently due to the pandemic. In addition to deaths, excessive alcohol use also leads to various health problems and social issues, including alcoholism. The National Health Service (NHS) defines heavy drinking as regularly consuming more than 14 units of alcohol per week for men and women. If you're regularly consuming more alcoholic beverages than recommended, you could be putting your body at risk. Here are Five Ways Excessive Drinking Harms Your Body.

1. Liver Diseases

Liver disease due to alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern worldwide. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a term used to describe a range of liver conditions caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Alcoholic liver disease can include;

Fatty liver: Occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver. This is the most common form of liver disease caused by alcohol and is usually reversible with abstinence.
Alcoholic hepatitis: An inflammation of the liver that can lead to liver failure. This is a severe condition that can be fatal if not treated.
Fibrosis: Occurs when scar tissue builds up in the liver, impeding its ability to function properly. This can lead to cirrhosis if left untreated.
Cirrhosis: The most advanced stage of liver disease occurs when the liver is so damaged that it can no longer function properly. This is a severe condition that can lead to liver failure and death.

The risk of developing ALD increases with the amount and duration of alcohol consumption. In the United Kingdom. It is the leading cause of deaths caused by alcohol abuse - accounting for over 77% of the total cases. Treatments may include abstinence from alcohol, medications, and in advanced cases, a liver transplant.

2. Unhealthy Weight Gain

Alcohol consumption can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, and a standard drink (such as a 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of spirits) would contain about 150 calories. Thus, consuming multiple drinks in one sitting can quickly add up to a significant number of calories. Alcohol can also disrupt normal eating patterns by decreasing inhibitions, making it more likely that people will overeat or make poor food choices. Additionally, alcohol can also interfere with the body's ability to burn fat, as the liver prioritizes the metabolism of alcohol over fat when both are present in the body.An increase in weight gain due to alcohol can also cause further complications. For example, heavy drinking can cause chronic inflammation, increase insulin resistance, and lead to type 2 diabetes. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to a condition called "beer belly" or "alcoholic fatty liver", characterized by fat accumulation in the liver. This can lead to liver damage and increase the risk of other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.

3. Stomach Problems

Alcohol consumption can cause a range of stomach problems. A common stomach issue associated with alcohol use is gastritis. Gastritis due to alcohol is a condition in which the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed due to heavy alcohol consumption. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and bloating. Long-term alcohol use can cause chronic gastritis and increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers and cancer. Another GIT complication due to alcohol is pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. The pancreas is an organ behind the stomach that produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. Pancreatitis due to alcohol is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed due to heavy alcohol consumption. In the UK, about 25% of cases of pancreatitis are caused by alcohol. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In severe cases, the condition can be life-threatening.

4. Increased Risk Of Cardiovascular Diseases

There is a strong link between excessive drinking and cardiovascular disease. Alcohol consumption increases blood pressure, causing hypertension. For every unit of alcohol consumed, there is a temporary 1 mmHg increase in blood pressure. Over time, this leads to cardiovascular diseases, which include conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke.A study in 2018 confirmed the effects of alcohol on the heart. The study looked at the drinking habits of 600,00 patients that presented with heart disease and found that patients who had unhealthy drinking habits had a lower life expectancy than those that didn't.

5. Neurological And Cognitive Disorders

Alcohol can significantly impact the brain. Consuming excessively can affect the brain's structure and function, leading to a range of short-term and long-term effects. Short-term effects of alcohol on the brain include:

Impairment of cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making
Slurred speech and coordination problems
Drowsiness and sedation

Long-term effects of alcohol on the brain include:

Damage to the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is critical for memory and learning
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: a brain disorder caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) that results in memory impairment and brain damage
Alcohol-related dementia: type of brain damage that affects memory, thinking, and behavior
Increased risk of stroke

Benefits of Cutting Back on Alcohol

If you're concerned about your drinking, consider the benefits of cutting back. Reducing or stopping alcohol can have a range of benefits for your health and well-being. These include:

Improved physical health: Reducing alcohol consumption can lower your risk for various health problems, including liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can also lead to weight loss, improved sleep, and increased energy levels.
Improved mental health: Cutting back on alcohol can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve overall mood. It can also help improve cognitive function and memory.
Increased productivity: Reducing alcohol consumption can help improve concentration and focus, making you more productive in your personal and professional life.

If you're concerned about your drinking, there are ways to cut back. Here are some suggestions:

Set limits for yourself. Drinking no more than two drinks per day for women and three per day for men may help you avoid problems with alcohol.
Try nonalcoholic beverages instead.
Seek professional help, such as counseling or support groups, if you cannot control your drinking on your own.
Try to be in the company of people who drink less or don't drink.

The Bottom Line

If you've experienced any of these symptoms, it could signify that your alcohol consumption has become excessive. If you think you have a drinking problem and want to quit, many resources are available to help. You don't have to go through this aloneâ€”plenty of people understand what you're going through and will support you in any way they can!