Alcoholism can lead to many complications aside from the disruption in the daily and family life of the alcoholic. Severe illnesses arising from long-term heavy drinking can often be fatal. Disorders from alcoholism can cause deterioration to a person's physical and mental health.
Cancer
Heavy drinking over a long period may increase the risk of developing cancers of the esophagus, mouth, throat, voice box, colon and rectum. Women may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer when drinking two or more drinks a day according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Heart Disease
Excessive drinking over a long period increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Many heavy drinkers are at risk for developing cardiomyopathy, which damages the heart muscle, the Mayo Clinic says.
Diabetes
Diabetics can worsen their condition by abusing alcohol, which prevents the release of glucose from the liver. This increases the risk of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, a complication suffered by many diabetics.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Alcoholism can cause severe stomach problems such as gastritis, causing inflammation of the stomach lining and a reduction in nutrients for the body. Medications are often used to neutralize stomach acid.
Pancreatitis
Heavy drinking may lead to inflammation of the pancreas, which helps regulate the body's blood sugar levels and digest food. Intense abdominal pain and weight loss may result. The disease may cause the development of cyst-like tissue in the pancreas. Surgery may be necessary.
Liver Disease
Alcoholic hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, may result from long-term drinking. The disease is potentially fatal. The condition is reversible for alcoholics who quit drinking, according to the SAMHSA. Alcoholic cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, is not reversible. But the alcoholic may prolong life by giving up drinking. A liver transplant may be necessary in severe cases.
Bone Loss
Alcoholics may develop brittle bones over time. They may not develop new bone mass, and they are at increased risk of fracturing bones and osteoporosis, a bone degenerating disease.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Drinking by women during pregnancy can cause birth defects such as growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities and impaired intellectual development. Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should abstain from drinking alcohol, warns the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Nervous Disorders
Excessive drinking can cause disorders of the nervous system. Numbness of the hands and feet may result. Long-term heavy drinking may lead to distorted thinking and dementia.
