You won’t necessarily feel alcohol’s impact on your body right away, but it starts from the moment you take your first sip.
If you drink, you’ve probably had some experience with alcohol’s effects, from the warm buzz that kicks in quickly to the not-so-pleasant wine headache, or the hangover that shows up the next morning. Since those effects don’t last long, you might not worry much about them, especially if you don’t drink often.
Many people assume the occasional beer or glass of wine at mealtimes or special occasions doesn’t pose much cause for concern. But drinking any amount of alcohol can potentially lead to unwanted health consequences.
People who binge drink or drink heavily may notice more health effects sooner, but alcohol also poses some risks for people who drink in moderation.
What does it mean to drink in moderation?
Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source define moderate drinking as:
- 1 or fewer drinks each day for women
- 2 or fewer drinks each day for men
Past guidance around alcohol use generally suggests a daily drink poses little risk of negative health effects — and might even offer a few health benefits.
But more recent research suggests there’s really no “safe” amount of alcohol since even moderate drinking can negatively impact brain health.
Alcohol use can begin to take a toll on anyone’s physical and mental well-being over time. These effects may be more serious and more noticeable if you drink regularly and tend to have more than 1 or 2 drinks when you do.
Read on to get the details on how alcohol can affect your body, brain, and emotional health, plus a few tips on finding support if you’re considering cutting back on drinking.https://inline.healthline.com/r/ssr/1b58a1fb-45cd-4549-86a5-cd41445f5c11?utm_campaign=hl-betterhelp-social-proof-substance-driver&utm_medium=embed&selector=%23m35b82dfb-4586-44b5-bc8c-8f26ccb163eampd_firstQuarter_d19bc11a-0b49-49a9-940a-8467170a286b+%3E+div+%3E+div&csid=febaaca6-6365-4b4e-8a7f-c53d1e8d7f19&caid=d3877b3e-c3c4-48f1-8e46-e864bbad95cf&ciid=9b289504-12c2-4289-b291-ac46799cc0d8&tenant=wk_1Tqf7EYzOKyxm4Gvq042rU0Uky0&srckey=src_1Tqf7BF96WTbG5QbUndHWIgKoFo&cxsid=b32acb73-49e0-4123-b27c-63192f84bdb0&imre=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGVhbHRobGluZS5jb20vaGVhbHRoL2FsY29ob2wvZWZmZWN0cy1vbi1ib2R5&_mfuuid_=bd839b7a-4014-49af-af33-dbc95a3496bc&width=750&subId=betterhelp_hl_fq_substanceuse_socialproofinline_38420
Short-term effects of alcohol
Temporary effects you might notice while drinking alcohol (or shortly after) can include:
- feelings of relaxation or drowsiness
- a sense of euphoria or giddiness
- changes in mood
- lowered inhibitions
- impulsive behavior
- slowed or slurred speech
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- head pain
- changes in hearing, vision, and perception
- loss of coordination
- trouble focusing or making decisions
- loss of consciousness or gaps in memory (often called a blackout)
Some of these effects, like a relaxed mood or lowered inhibitions, might show up quickly after just one drink. Others, like loss of consciousness or slurred speech, may develop after a few drinks.
Dehydration-related effects, like nausea, headache, and dizziness, might not appear for a few hours, and they can also depend on what you drink, how much you drink, and if you also drink water.
These effects might not last very long, but that doesn’t make them insignificant. Impulsiveness, loss of coordination, and changes in mood can affect your judgment and behavior and contribute to more far-reaching effects, including accidents, injuries, and decisions you later regret.
Long-term effects of alcohol
Alcohol use can also lead to more lasting concerns that extend beyond your own mood and health.
Some long-term effects of frequently drinking alcohol can include:
- persistent changes in mood, including anxiety and irritability
- insomnia and other sleep concerns
- a weakened immune system, meaning you might get sick more often
- changes in libido and sexual function
- changes in appetite and weight
- problems with memory and concentration
- difficulty focusing on tasks
- increased tension and conflict in romantic and family relationships
Alcohol’s physical effects on the body
Here’s a breakdown of alcohol’s effects on your internal organs and body processes.
Digestive and endocrine glands
Drinking too much alcohol over time may cause inflammation of the pancreas, resulting in pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can activate the release of pancreatic digestive enzymes and cause abdominal pain.
Pancreatitis can become a long-term condition and cause serious complications.
Inflammatory damage
Your liver helps break down and remove toxins and harmful substances (including alcohol) from your body.
Long-term alcohol use interferes with this process. It also increases your risk for alcohol-related liver disease and chronic liver inflammation:
- Alcohol-related liver disease is a potentially life threatening condition that leads to toxins and waste buildup in your body.
- Chronic liver inflammation can cause scarring, or cirrhosis. When scar tissue forms, it may permanently damage your liver.
Sugar levels
The pancreas helps regulate how your body uses insulin and responds to glucose. If your pancreas and liver don’t function properly due to pancreatitis or liver disease, you could experience low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
A damaged pancreas can also prevent your body from producing enough insulin to use sugar. This can lead to hyperglycemia, or too much sugar in the blood.
If your body can’t manage and balance your blood sugar levels, you may experience greater complications and side effects related to diabetes.
Experts recommend avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Central nervous system
One major way to recognize alcohol’s impact on your body? Understanding how it affects your central nervous system.
Slurred speech, a key sign of intoxication, happens because alcohol reduces communication between your brain and body. This makes speech and coordination — think reaction time and balance — more difficult. That’s one major reason why you should never drive after drinking.
Over time, alcohol can cause damage to your central nervous system. You might notice numbness and tingling in your feet and hands.
Drinking can also affect your ability to:
- create long-term memories
- think clearly
- make rational choices
- regulate your emotions
Over time, drinking can also damage your frontal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for executive functions, like abstract reasoning, decision making, social behavior, and performance.
Chronic heavy drinking can also cause permanent brain damage, including Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a brain disorder that affects memory.
Digestive system
The connection between alcohol consumption and your digestive system might not seem immediately clear. The side effects often only appear after the damage has happened. Continuing to drink can worsen these symptoms.
Drinking can damage the tissues in your digestive tract, preventing your intestines from digesting food and absorbing nutrients and vitamins properly. In time, this damage can cause malnutrition.
Heavy drinking can also lead to:
- gas
- bloating
- feeling of fullness in your abdomen
- diarrhea or painful stools
- ulcers or hemorrhoids (due to dehydration and constipation)
Ulcers can cause dangerous internal bleeding, which can sometimes be fatal without prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Circulatory system
Chronic drinking can affect your heart and lungs, raising your risk of developing heart-related health issues.
Circulatory system complications include:
- high blood pressure
- irregular heartbeat
- difficulty pumping blood through the body
- stroke
- heart attack
- heart disease
- heart failure
Difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals from food can cause fatigue and anemia, a condition where you have a low red blood cell count.
Sexual and reproductive health
Drinking alcohol can lower your inhibitions, so you might assume alcohol can ramp up your fun in the bedroom.
In reality, though, heavy drinking can:
- prevent sex hormone production
- lower your libido
- keep you from getting or maintaining an erection
- make it difficult to achieve orgasm
Excessive drinking may affect your menstrual cycle and potentially increase your risk for infertility.
Alcohol use during pregnancy
No amountTrusted Source of alcohol is considered safe for pregnant people.
That’s because drinking during pregnancy doesn’t just affect your health. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery.
Children exposed to alcohol in the womb may experience a range of complications after birth, including:
- learning difficulties
- long-term health issues
- increased emotional problems
- developmental concerns
Skeletal and muscle systems
Long-term alcohol use can affect bone density, leading to thinner bones and increasing your risk of fractures if you fall. Weakened bones may also heal slower.
Drinking alcohol can also lead to muscle weakness, cramping, and eventually atrophy.
Immune system
Drinking heavily reduces your body’s natural immune system. A weakened immune system has a harder time protecting you from germs and viruses.
People who drink heavily over a long period of time are also more likely to develop pneumonia or tuberculosis than the general population. The World Health Organization (WHO) links about 8.1 percentTrusted Source of all tuberculosis cases worldwide to alcohol consumption.
Drinking alcohol can also factor intoTrusted Source your cancer risk:
- Frequent drinking can increase your risk of developing mouth, throat, breast, esophagus, colon, or liver cancer.
- Drinking and using tobacco together can further increase your riskTrusted Source of developing mouth or throat cancer.
Psychological effects
Long-term alcohol use can lead to changes in your brain that can affect your:
- memory and concentration
- impulse control
- emotions, mood, and personality
Regular drinking can also affect overall mental health and well-being, in part because alcohol may worsen symptoms of certain mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
You might also notice feelings of anxiety with a hangover.
Alcohol-induced mental health conditions
Alcohol use can factor into mental health symptoms that closely resemble those of other mental health conditions.
The latest edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions, includes diagnostic criteria for:
- alcohol-induced bipolar disorder
- alcohol-induced psychotic disorder
- alcohol-induced sleep disorder
- alcohol-induced depressive disorder
- alcohol-induced anxiety disorder
With these conditions, you’ll only notice symptoms during alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. These symptoms typically improve quickly when alcohol use stops.
Dependence
Some people who drink eventually develop a tolerance to alcohol. As a result, they eventually need to drink more to notice the same effects they once did.
Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can also lead to dependence, which means your body and brain have grown used to alcohol’s effects.
When you stop drinking, you might notice a range of physical, emotional, or mental health symptoms that ease as soon as you have a drink.
Tolerance and dependence can both happen as symptoms of alcohol use disorder, a mental health condition previously referred to as alcoholism, that happens when your body becomes dependent on alcohol. This condition can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of symptoms you have.
Key symptoms may include:
- cravings
- withdrawal
- drinking more over time
- having difficulty stopping after one drink
- inability to stop drinking when you try
- continuing to drink alcohol even when it has a negative impact on your health or daily life
- spending a lot of time on activities related to alcohol use
Learn more about the signs of alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal can be difficult and, in some cases, life threatening. Depending on how often you drink and how much, you may need support from a healthcare professional if you want to stop drinking.
It’s always best to connect with your doctor before quitting alcohol. The “cold turkey” approach might not always be safe.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:
Seizures, hallucinations, and delirium may occur in severe cases of withdrawal.
Medical detoxification can help you stop drinking safely. Your doctor may recommend treatment at a clinic or at home, depending on your risk for withdrawal symptoms.
Risk factors for alcohol use disorder
Certain factors may increase your chances of experiencing alcohol use disorder.
Some of these include:
- heavy drinking
- binge drinking
- ongoing stress
- having peers or family members who drink a lot of alcohol
- having genes that affect your sensitivity to alcohol
- having anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or another mental health condition
- having a close relative, especially a parent, with the condition
Finding treatment for alcohol use disorder
Thinking about cutting back on alcohol or quitting drinking completely?
You have plenty of options for support and treatment:
- free recovery support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery
- online recovery platforms, like Tempest
- therapy to help address reasons for drinking and learn helpful coping skills
- medical treatment to address symptoms of alcohol use disorder and any related health concerns
- medications that can help reduce cravings
Looking for mental health support near you? Here’s how to find a therapist.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a free helpline, available 24/7. Call 800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY 1-800-487-4889 to get guidance on local options for support and treatment.
Alcohol safety tips
There’s no entirely safe way to consume alcohol, but if you choose to drink, these tips can help reduce some risks:
- Make sure you eat. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach to avoid becoming intoxicated too fast.
- Drink plenty of water. For every standard drink you consume, aim to have a glass of water.
- Don’t go too fast. Drink slowly to give your body plenty of time to process the alcohol. Your liver can process about 1 ounce of alcohol every hour.
- Don’t mix with other substances. Mixing alcohol with caffeine can hide the depressant effects of alcohol, making you drink more than you might otherwise. Drinking coffee to “sober up” may make you feel more awake, but it may also make you more inclined to make the mistake of trying to drive while under the influence. Combining alcohol with other drugs can also have adverse effects.
- Don’t drink and drive. Never drive while intoxicated. Even if you feel like you’ve sobered up, you may still have alcohol in your system that can affect your reaction time.
Last medically reviewed on March 31, 2022
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Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Ann Pietrangelo and Crystal Raypole — Updated on March 31, 2022https://1d7a96a60a5c42134e5fdb5420921013.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-39/html/container.htmlhttps://1d7a96a60a5c42134e5fdb5420921013.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-39/html/container.htmlFor a Longer Life and Happier Gut, Eat More FiberTop 6 Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements6 Ways to Boost Your Coffee with Vitamins and AntioxidantsThe 3-Day Fix for Energy
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How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your Body?
- Alcohol metabolism
- How is alcohol metabolized?
- Metabolism factors
- Urine vs. breath test
- Breastfeeding
- Alcohol poisoning
- Risks of abuse
- FAQs
- Takeaway
The length of time alcohol stays in the body will depend on factors such as individual features, how much a person has drunk, and how fast. Some tests can detect alcohol in the body for up to 24 hours.
Alcohol is a depressant that has a short life span in the body. Once the alcohol has entered your bloodstream, your body will metabolize a certain amount of alcohol every hour, depending on the individual and other factors like liver size and weight.
In testing, the type of test you take can also affect the result, as tests vary in sensitivity.
Read on to learn more about alcohol’s life cycle in the body and the essential factors to consider.https://inline.healthline.com/r/ssr/1b58a1fb-45cd-4549-86a5-cd41445f5c11?utm_campaign=hl-betterhelp-social-proof-substance-driver&utm_medium=embed&selector=%23m64aa9f19-2608-439f-967d-0ffc7ca786fempd_firstQuarter_d19bc11a-0b49-49a9-940a-8467170a286b+%3E+div+%3E+div&csid=febaaca6-6365-4b4e-8a7f-c53d1e8d7f19&caid=d3877b3e-c3c4-48f1-8e46-e864bbad95cf&ciid=9b289504-12c2-4289-b291-ac46799cc0d8&tenant=wk_1Tqf7EYzOKyxm4Gvq042rU0Uky0&srckey=src_1Tqf7BF96WTbG5QbUndHWIgKoFo&cxsid=b32acb73-49e0-4123-b27c-63192f84bdb0&imre=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGVhbHRobGluZS5jb20vaGVhbHRoL2hvdy1sb25nLWRvZXMtYWxjb2hvbC1zdGF5LWluLXlvdXItc3lzdGVt&_mfuuid_=bd839b7a-4014-49af-af33-dbc95a3496bc&width=750&subId=betterhelp_hl_fq_substanceuse_socialproofinline_38420
How long does it take for the effects of alcohol to wear off?
Your body metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate, at about one drink per hour.
However, this can varyTrusted Source somewhat based on the type of alcohol you drink, your physical health, or your genetic predisposition.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) refers to the amount of alcohol in your blood to the amount of water in your blood.
How is alcohol metabolized?
When you drink alcohol, it is quickly absorbed in the stomach and small intestines. From there, it enters your bloodstream to travel to the liver.
Your liver releases enzymes to break down alcohol. However, the organ can only metabolize a little at a time, leaving the excess to circulate throughout your body. So, how much alcohol you consume in a specific amount of time gives you an idea of its intensity.
Factors that affect alcohol metabolism
Numerous factors can affect BAC and how fast you eliminate it from your body, including:
- Sex: Females tend to have a higher BAC and eliminateTrusted Source alcohol faster than males
- Age: Teens, young adults, and older adults eliminate slower
- Food: Metabolism rate increases with food
- Time of day: Alcohol metabolizes faster at the end of the day
- Exercise: Alcohol is eliminated slightly faster during exercise
- Alcoholism: Heavy drinking increases the rate, but advanced liver disease decreases it
It’s also important to know how much alcohol is in your drink because that will determine how long it takes to metabolize your drink. For example, some beers have a higher alcohol content, affecting how much alcohol you consume from one drink.
Even though so many factors come into play, the average metabolic rate to remove alcohol is about one drink per hour.
There are specific steps you can take to help reduce the effects of alcohol.
- Food may help your body absorb alcohol.
- Water can help reduce your BAC.
- Avoid caffeine. It’s a myth that coffee, energy drinks, or similar beverages alleviate intoxication quicker.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen? Learn more.
Urine vs. breath tests
Urine tests can detect alcohol long after you’ve had your last drink by testing for traces of alcohol metabolites. The average urine test can detect alcohol up to 12 hours after drinking. However, more advanced testing can measure alcohol in the urine 24 hours after drinking.
Breath tests for alcohol can detect alcohol within a shorter time frame, at about 4-6 hours. A small machine called a breathalyzer measures your BAC. Any number above 0.02%Trusted Source is unsafe since you experience some loss of judgment and a decline in visual functioning.
Alcohol can stay in your hair for 90Trusted Source days while temporarily being detected in saliva, sweat, and blood.
| Test | How long after drinking can it detect alcohol? |
|---|---|
| urine | 12 hours |
| breath | 24 hours |
| hair | 90 days |
Breastfeeding and alcohol
You may have heard it is okay to drink alcohol while breastfeeding or chestfeeding a baby in certain circumstances.
However, the safest optionTrusted Source for nursing people is not to drink any alcohol.
If you do drink alcohol, consider the following ways to keep your baby safe:
- do not drink more than one standard drink per day
- pump extra milk ahead of time so that you can feed your baby with expressed milk
- wait 2 hours after a drink before nursing again
- avoid consistent excessive alcohol consumption
Alcohol poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is a two-phase condition also known as ethanol toxicity. The condition occurs when you drink large amounts of alcohol that affect the organs in your body.
One phase is the acute form of alcohol poisoning caused mainly by binge drinking. The second is a chronic phase in which you drink large amounts of alcohol, but you are conscious and moving naturally due to the high tolerance developed over time. Your experience of the condition’s toxic effect differs depending on whether you are in the acute or chronic phase.
The signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning depend upon your BAC. As your BAC level increases, so does the severity of your symptoms.
Some symptoms from more minor to severe include:Trusted Source
- impaired judgment and coordination
- walking difficulty
- slurred speech
- mood change
- behavior change
- nausea
- vomiting
- low body temperature
- memory loss
- double vision
- involuntary eye movement
- trouble breathing
- coma
- respiratory failure
- heart rhythm changes
- liver failure
Chronic alcohol poisoning leads to alcoholic chronic liver disease. Heavy drinkers are also more likely to experience heart failure. Other symptoms include:
Culled: Healthline
