Alcohol is widely consumed across many cultures and social settings. While drinking in moderation may be safe for some people, it helps to understand how alcohol affects your body and overall health. Alcohol use can have short- and long-term consequences depending on how much you drink, how often, and your individual health status.
It is important to understand how alcohol is processed by the body, when alcohol use becomes harmful, and what you should know about its interaction with medical conditions and medications.

How the Body Processes Alcohol

Once alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed through the lining of the stomach and small intestine and then enters the bloodstream. The liver plays a critical role in metabolizing alcohol, breaking it down with the help of enzymes. On average, the liver can process about one standard alcoholic drink per hour. If a person consumes alcohol faster than the liver can process it, alcohol builds up in the bloodstream. This can lead to a range of physical and mental impairments, including slowed reflexes, impaired judgment, and damage to various organs over time.

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines define moderate alcohol consumption as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Drinking beyond these guidelines increases the risk of developing alcohol-related health problems.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks on a single occasion for women, or five or more drinks for men. Heavy drinking refers to eight or more drinks per week for women and fifteen or more for men. Both patterns of drinking are considered excessive and are associated with an increased risk of injury, chronic illness, and Alcohol Use Disorder.

Are There Any Health Benefits?

Some earlier research suggested that light to moderate alcohol consumption may have potential heart health benefits, such as raising HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. However, more recent studies have challenged this idea, finding that even low levels of alcohol use can increase the risk of certain cancers and other diseases. Health organizations increasingly recommend caution when it comes to alcohol, emphasizing that there is no amount of alcohol consumption that can be considered completely risk-free.

Alcohol and Specific Health Conditions

Alcohol can interact with or worsen a variety of existing health conditions. Below are some of the most commonly affected areas:

Alcohol and Diabetes

For people living with diabetes, alcohol can cause dangerous changes in blood sugar levels. Alcohol may initially raise blood sugar, but it often leads to a delayed drop, which increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Alcohol can also interfere with medications like insulin or sulfonylureas, making diabetes harder to manage. It may also mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, such as confusion or dizziness, which can be mistaken for intoxication.

Alcohol and Liver Disease

The liver is the primary organ responsible for processing alcohol, and excessive alcohol consumption can severely damage it. Heavy or long-term drinking can lead to:

• Fatty liver disease (accumulation of fat in liver cells)
• Alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Fibrosis and cirrhosis (scarring of liver tissue, which can be irreversible)

People with existing liver disease, including those caused by viruses or fatty liver, should avoid alcohol entirely, as even small amounts can worsen their condition.

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause serious and lifelong harm to the developing baby. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to consume at any point during pregnancy. Drinking while pregnant can lead to:

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), which may include physical abnormalities, developmental delays, and behavioral issues
• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Low birth weight and preterm delivery

The safest choice for those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant is to avoid alcohol altogether.

Alcohol and Medication Interactions

Alcohol can interact with many types of medications—both prescription and over-the-counter. It may:

• Increase drowsiness or dizziness and / or slow breathing or only allow shallow breaths when combined with sedatives, antidepressants, or antihistamines
• Decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics or medications for chronic conditions
• Damage the liver when mixed with drugs that are also processed by the liver, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before drinking alcohol while on medication.

Alcohol and Sleep

Although alcohol can make you feel drowsy and may help you fall asleep faster, it generally reduces the quality of sleep. Alcohol interferes with REM sleep, the restorative stage of the sleep cycle. As a result, people who drink alcohol before bed may wake up more frequently during the night and feel tired or unrested the next day. Chronic alcohol use is also linked to insomnia, sleep apnea,  and other sleep disturbances.

Alcohol Use Disorder (Alcohol Addiction)

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an inability to control alcohol use, despite negative consequences. It ranges from mild to severe and may involve symptoms such as:

• Drinking more or longer than intended
• Wanting to cut down but being unable to do so
• Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from its effects
• Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school
• Continuing to drink even when it causes problems with health, relationships, or safety

AUD can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Treatment options include medical detoxification, counseling, support groups, and medications that reduce cravings or block the effects of alcohol. Riverside offers confidential adult detox and behavioral health services for individuals seeking recovery.

Alcohol and Impaired Decision-Making

Alcohol affects the brain’s ability to think clearly, make sound judgments, and control impulses. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your decision-making abilities, increasing the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. This is especially true when alcohol is consumed rapidly or in large quantities.

One of the most dangerous consequences of impaired judgment is drinking and driving. Alcohol slows reaction times and reduces coordination, making it unsafe to operate a motor vehicle. Driving under the influence significantly increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), serious injuries, and fatalities—for both the driver and others on the road. And, drinking heavily often can impact the use of seat belts, increasing the risk in any motor vehicle accident.

Alcohol use is also linked to unsafe sexual behavior, including failure to use protection. This can lead to an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. Many people may not remember the decisions they made while intoxicated, or may not have given or received clear consent, which can lead to long-term emotional and physical consequences.

Making responsible choices about alcohol use can help protect your health and the safety of others. If you need support or guidance, help is available.

The Importance of Being Honest About Alcohol Use

It is essential to be open and honest with your doctors and nurses about your alcohol use. Your healthcare team is not there to judge you—they are there to help you stay healthy and safe. Knowing how much and how often you drink allows them to:

• Accurately assess your risk for certain conditions, such as liver disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes complications
• Safely prescribe medications that won’t interact negatively with alcohol
• Offer support or referrals if you’re interested in cutting back or stopping

Even if you’re not ready to make changes, sharing the full picture of your health helps your care team provide the best possible treatment for your needs. All conversations are confidential and focused on your well-being.