Excessive Alcohol Use | Heavy Drinking

Heavy drinking costs society economically and socially. The health impacts on heavy drinkers themselves are well documented. Heavy drinking impacts nearly every tissue in our body. Ten health risks of chronic heavy drinking include liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, ulcers and gastrointestinal problems, immune system dysfunction, brain damage, malnourishment and vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, heart disease, accidents, and injuries.

In addition to its health risks to the drinkers themselves, heavy drinking also has secondary risks to other people. Secondary effects include injury, property damage, violence, and death; and frequently require the involvement of law enforcement as well as the criminal justice system. Heavy drinkers may also find their work performance impacted by their consumption of alcohol, have lower wages and lost employment opportunities, experience increased medical expenses, and have problems dealing with family issues.