Last reviewed
Long-term effects of alcohol on your brain and body
How years of regular drinking affect the liver, heart, brain, mood and cancer risk, and how much can improve when you cut back.
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
✓ Medically reviewed by Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Photos are illustrative and don’t show actual patients.
Regular heavy drinking affects nearly every system in the body, often slowly and without obvious warning signs. The good news is that many effects improve when you cut back or stop.
Liver
Alcohol can cause fatty liver, then inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis) and eventually scarring (cirrhosis). Early changes are often reversible.
Heart and blood pressure
Heavy drinking raises blood pressure and the risk of irregular heartbeat, heart failure and stroke.
Cancer
Alcohol is a known cause of several cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breast. The risk rises with the amount you drink, and in early 2025 the US Surgeon General issued an advisory highlighting this link.
Brain, mood and sleep
Long-term drinking can affect memory and concentration, and it often worsens depression, anxiety and sleep problems. Heavy drinking can also lead to low thiamine (vitamin B1), which can cause serious brain damage if untreated.
Other effects
Pancreatitis, stomach problems, weaker immunity, lower testosterone and sexual difficulties are also common with long-term heavy use.
What improves when you cut back
Within weeks, many people notice better sleep, mood, energy and blood pressure. Liver tests often improve within months, and lab testing can help track your progress.
A gentle next step
Wellthy Psychiatry offers judgment-free, LGBTQ+ affirming care by telehealth across California. A free 15-minute phone consult is an easy way to see if we’re a good fit.
This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
About the author
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner · UCSF-trained · Founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
Earl provides LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming psychiatric care, blending medication management, therapy and whole-person approaches. His background includes inpatient psychiatry and community mental health at Glenn County Behavioral Health and Equity Health, a federally qualified health center. He sees clients in San Francisco and by telehealth across California.
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