The effects of long-term alcohol use can be significant, leading to serious or chronic health problems and even death. Even binge drinking can cause health problems over time. Alcohol abuse has bleak outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, too much alcohol can increase your risk of more than 200 different diseases. When you choose sobriety, you may be able to alter the effects of alcohol abuse on your health. Common effects of alcohol abuse and addiction include:

Behavior and memory changes – Alcohol can impair the brain’s ability to create memories. It can cause temporary memory lapses and cause complete blackouts. You might forget what happened while drinking. Compounding this issue is the fact that alcohol impairs decision-making abilities and lowers inhibitions. This can cause you to engage in risky behaviors that you otherwise would not participate in if you were sober. You may make decisions that are damaging to your well-being but are unable to remember them.

Alcohol can also significantly impact your mood. Drinkers may respond to alcohol differently, with some people feeling elated and happy while others feel angry. Alcohol is a depressant, so feelings of sadness or lethargy are common.

Digestive Issues – Alcohol is an irritant and known carcinogen. It can damage the lining of your stomach, resulting in discomfort like nausea, vomiting, and pain. It also increases the production of stomach acid, which can lead to acid reflux, heartburn, and chronic inflammation. People with drinking problems often experience ulcers, stomach cancer, and other major digestive issues.

Organ damage – Alcohol abuse can also wreak havoc on your organs. Organ damage can occur from prolonged alcohol abuse, as well as binge drinking, which the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings your blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent or higher. This often occurs within a short period of time from when you started drinking and may happen if you only occasionally do it, such as one or two weekends a month. For men, this usually involves having five or more drinks or four or more drinks for women in about two hours.

Some of the organs you may damage by drinking too much include the following:

Brain: Too much alcohol can shut down parts of the brain essential to keep you alive. It also interferes with the brain’s ability to communicate, which can disrupt mood and behavior. Alcohol can make it more difficult to think clearly. It can also make it more likely to suffer from a neurological problem, such as a stroke.

Heart: Alcohol can also affect the heart. Cardiac problems related to alcohol abuse include:

• Cardiac arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats
• Cardiomyopathy, stretching and drooping heart muscle
• Ischemic heart disease
• High blood pressure

Pancreas: Too much alcohol intake can cause acute or chronic pancreatitis. Alcohol makes the pancreas produce toxic substances that lead to these conditions. Pancreatitis is a dangerous inflammation that causes swelling and pain, making it difficult for the body to create enzymes and hormones for proper digestion. This condition can lead to other gastrointestinal problems, including gut leakiness and microbial dysbiosis.

Liver: You’ve probably heard that alcohol can mess up your liver. In fact, many people with drinking problems require a liver transplant to undo the harm alcohol has caused to their livers. Liver problems associated with alcohol abuse include:

• Fatty liver
• Alcohol hepatitis
• Fibrosis
• Cirrhosis

Lungs: Alcohol abuse can also affect the lungs, increasing the likelihood of acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, and cancer.

Cancer Risk – Medical experts have found a “strong scientific consensus” between alcohol use and several types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. These experts have found that the more alcohol someone drinks, especially over time, the higher their risk of developing certain cancers. The risk is also increased for binge drinking. The National Cancer Institute reports that about 3.5% of cancer deaths in the United States are alcohol-related.

Some of the cancers associated with alcohol use include:

• Esophageal cancer, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
• Liver cancer
• Head and neck cancer, including pharynx, larynx, and oral cavity cancers
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer

Immune system deficiencies – One reason why cancers are more likely to develop in people with alcohol problems is because alcohol can weaken the immune system. This makes it easier for diseases to form in the body. You may develop various conditions due to a weakened immune system, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, or infections. Left untreated, these conditions can be serious and result in fatal consequences.

Social Problems – Alcohol can affect your mood and how you interact with others. Many people with drinking problems also have problems with loved ones, who may be concerned about the drinking and how it is affecting you.

You may get in fights or have arguments with loved ones, pushing them away and further isolating yourself. According to a Gallup research study, one in three people say that alcohol has been a problem in their family. You may have problems with your romantic relationships, friendships, and relationships with other loved ones. Additional stress and conflict can lead to mental health issues, along with physical ones.

Additionally, it may be difficult for you to get a job or keep a job with an alcohol problem. This can create further financial strain on your life, potentially leading you to drink more and continuing a dangerous cycle.