20th February 2024

Short and long-term impact of alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence can be associated with many co-morbidities. Alcohol use is associated with co-morbidities, including accidents and injuries related to alcohol use, self-harm, and accidents. Alcohol withdrawal and Wernicke’s encephalopathy are also acute complications that carry high morbidity and mortality rates. 

There are multiple long-term complications associated with alcohol use, and it affects many organ systems, including:

• Malignancy – There are associations with oral, oesophageal, bowel, stomach, liver and breast cancer. 
• Cardiac – Associated with cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias.
• Liver and pancreas – Pancreatitis (acute and chronic) are both associated with alcohol use. Alcoholic liver disease (steatosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis/cirrhosis) and its associated complications (ascites, varices, infection, malignancy) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. 
• Psychiatric – Korsakoff’s syndrome is associated with memory loss, disorientation and confabulation.
• Pregnancy – Foetal alcohol syndrome is associated with alcohol use of over five units per day during pregnancy. This can result in dysmorphic facial features, microcephaly, fetal growth restriction, and the heart, skull, kidneys, brain, and bone malformation. 
• Social – Domestic violence and child abuse can be attributed towards the use of alcohol.