What Are the Complications of Alcohol Addiction: Why Treatment Matters
Alcohol addiction, more appropriately called alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a life-threatening disease that impacts millions of people. It develops as a result of genetics, mental health conditions, or environmental factors, and in many situations, is frustratingly challenging to treat. But alcohol addiction treatment is critical.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides some key facts:
- Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most preventable causes of death in the U.S.
- Every year, 178,000 people die from excessive drinking.
- 488 people die every single day in the U.S. from excessive alcohol use.
- 20 people die every hour from excessive alcohol use.
- On average, a person who dies from this condition sees their life shortened by 24 years.
Of these deaths, about two-thirds, or 117,000 deaths annually, are due to a chronic condition developed over time and leading to AUD. While many people die from AUDs, many others struggle with the complications it brings to daily life. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates that 28.9 million people had an AUD in the previous year (from a survey completed in 2023).
Considering these staggering numbers, it’s critical to recognize that living with an AUD comes with many complications and risks.
Here’s what’s so important for you and your family to know. For most people, AUD is treatable, meaning you do not have to live with these complications and threats to your life.
Physical Complications from AUD
Those who use alcohol on a chronic basis may develop a wide range of physical ailments from the disease. You may recognize a hangover as an annoyance that gets better, but it’s a sign of just how much damage this substance can do to your physical well-being. It depletes nutrients your body needs, causes havoc to your kidneys and liver, and impacts your cognitive function. Now, consider what the risks are when you continue to use alcohol and develop an AUD.
- Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy: AUDs can create significant damage to the heart muscle. This means the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body. Cardiomyopathy, or heart failure, shortens lives, leads to changes in brain function and health, and can cause an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Alcohol-induced hepatitis: Having an AUD can lead to the development of liver inflammation, leading to breakdown of function and, ultimately, liver failure. This can shorten a person’s life while also leading to numerous bouts of hospitalization and complications.
- Cerebellar degeneration: Alcohol use impacts the nerves at the back of the brain, causing challenges with speech and eyesight. Over time, this can lead to irreversible damage, causing complications with walking, speech, and muscle function.
In addition, AUDs can cause the following health complications:
- Eye problems, including loss of vision
- Sexual function limitations
- Diabetes complications
- Bone damage leading to thinning bones
- Neurological complications
- A weakened immune system
- Increased risk of cancer
Behavioral Changes and Complications
Chronic alcohol consumption can trigger a range of behavior-related risks to health and well-being. Because alcohol is a carcinogen and toxin impacting motor function, it can cause immediate damage to the function of the brain while also causing long-term implications. Some of the most common behavioral complications include:
- Reckless engagement in activities that would otherwise not happen
- A higher risk of committing violent crimes
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Relationship challenges
- Risk of or attempted suicide
- Engagement in risky sexual behaviors increases the threat of disease
Mental Health Changes and Complications
Those who use alcohol on a consistent basis may be at a higher risk of developing complications to mental health. This includes the development of co-occurring disorders. AUD can lead to the onset or worsening of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. It can worsen conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
What Can Be Done to Stop the Progression of Alcohol Use Disorder
These are not inevitable outcomes if the use of alcohol stops and physical treatment for ailments occurs. It will be critical to act with the help of an alcohol use disorder treatment center, like our team at Victory Addiction Recovery Center in Lafayette, LA, to get help. Treatment often involves detox, residential treatment for a period of several weeks, and ongoing therapy at home.
The complications may not all go away with treatment for AUD. However, they are likely to stop worsening, and for many people, restoring health and well-being, including getting years of life back, is possible. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you today.