By Namita S Kalla | February 20, 2025

9 health risks of alcohol, from cancer to liver damage, more

Image: Canva

Alcohol is a known carcinogen, raising the risk of several cancers, including breast, liver, head and neck, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers

Increased cancer risk

Image: Canva

Chronic alcohol consumption can cause fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, leading to liver failure

Liver disease

Image: Canva

Alcohol increases the risk of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, cardiomyopathy, and stroke

Heart disease

Image: Canva

Alcohol weakens the immune system, increasing the likelihood of infections such as tuberculosis and HIV

Infectious disease

Image: Canva

Long-term heavy drinking can lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and alcohol-related brain damage

Neurological damage

Image: Canva

Alcohol impairs judgment, increases the risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, poor decision-making, and emotional instability

Self harm

Image: Canva

Alcohol plays a significant role in accidents, including road traffic crashes, falls, burns, and incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence

Injury and violence

Image: Canva

Drinking can contribute to depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder (AUD), affecting emotional well-being

Depression

Image: Canva

Alcohol use during pregnancy raises the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm birth

Pregnancy complications