Health Effects of Excessive Alcohol Use

Excessive alcohol use, defined as heavy drinking, binge drinking, or any drinking by pregnant people or anyone younger than 21, has immediate and long-term health effects.

Immediate Health Effects of Excessive Alcohol Use

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that can increase the risk of harm to you and others, including: ​

• Alcohol poisoning, which occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that the areas of ​the brain in charge of functions that keep you alive, such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control, begin to shut down.

• Injuries such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, burns, and drownings.
  

• Miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)​.
  

• Sexual risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners, which increases likelihood of unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

• Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
  

​​Long-Term Health Effects of Excessive Alcohol Use

Excessive alcohol use over time may increase your risk for chronic diseases, illnesses, and other serious problems, including:

• Alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorders

• Brain impacts, such as disruption in communication pathways, which can make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination

  

• Cancer of the esophagus, mouth and throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), liver, colon and rectum, and breast (in women) 
  

• Heart problems, including stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat, and cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of heart muscle)
  

• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performa​​nce

• Liver problems, such as fatty liver disease, cirrhosis (liver scarring), fibrosis and alcohol-associated hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

• Mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety​​
  

• Pancreatitis, which is inflammation and swelling  of blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion
  

• Social problems, including family and job-related problems and unemployment

• Stomach problems, including reactive gastropathy, which is irritation of the stomach lining that can cause symptoms of indigestion, erosion, or ulcers

• Weakening of the immune system, which increases the chances of getting sick​
  

​Drink Less, Improve Your Health

​​Drinking less can improve your short and long-term health. Even small changes make a big difference. By ​reducing your alcohol use, you can reduce the risk of immediate and long-term alcohol-related health effects. You can anonymously check your drinking habits, identify barriers and motivators for drinking less, and build a plan to make healthier choices here: 

​For questions, please contact us at alcohol@cdph.ca.​gov.​​​