由 home-healthhaven 
Having a couple of drinks every few weeks with friends or a glass of wine each evening might not cause much harm. However, drinking more than this regularly can lead to serious problems.
Changes in your body and behavior from drinking too much may not be immediately noticeable to you, but others will often spot them early. While some of these changes are temporary and can be easily fixed, others can cause lasting damage that you’ll deal with for the rest of your life.
Here are some significant ways that excessive drinking can impact your body and life:
### Dependency
Telling yourself, “I can stop drinking anytime I want,” isn’t always true if you’re dependent on alcohol. Regular heavy drinking can make your body physically and emotionally reliant on alcohol. An occasional drink won’t turn you into an alcoholic, but frequent overindulgence can lead to painful withdrawal symptoms. Avoid letting your body depend on alcohol to function comfortably.
### Legal Issues
Frequent drinking can lead to legal trouble, especially with driving under the influence. If arrested for a DUI, you could lose your license or even end up in jail. Acting quickly and knowledgeably in response to law enforcement is crucial to avoid severe consequences.
### Liver Damage
Liver damage is one of the first things people think of when considering the dangers of alcohol. Heavy drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and excess liver fat. Modern medicine can treat these conditions, but it’s best to avoid reaching a point where such treatments are necessary.
### Increased Cancer Risk
Excessive drinking has been linked to various cancers, including head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. The risk of developing these cancers is higher for heavy drinkers.
### Heart Damage
Chronic drinking increases the likelihood of developing heart problems like heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. Issues like high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats can also arise. Both men and women are at risk, though women are more likely to develop heart disease. Alcohol can impair your heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.
### Weakened Immune System
If you rarely get sick, heavy drinking can change that. It weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses. Chronic drinkers are more likely to contract severe diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis, with alcohol linked to about 10% of global tuberculosis cases.
### Digestive Troubles
Heavy drinking can cause digestive problems, including a bloated belly or “beer belly.” This isn’t just from extra calories; alcohol can lead to gassiness, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, dehydration, and hemorrhoids.
### Muscle and Bone Deterioration
Over time, alcoholism can cause muscles to weaken and deteriorate, and bones to become more fragile and prone to fractures. Healing is slower in those with alcohol problems. Muscle atrophy, where muscles waste away, can also occur. If caught early, it can be reversed, but it’s best to prevent it altogether.
By understanding these risks, you can make more informed decisions about your drinking habits and protect your long-term health and wellbeing.