Over time, the liver of a person who drinks heavily can become damaged and cause alcoholic liver disease. Moreover, alcoholism can also lead to neurological disorders, including cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia. Additionally, compromised immune function due to alcohol abuse makes individuals more susceptible to infections and how long do alcoholics live other serious health complications. Another study limitation was that alcohol consumption per capita was determined from aggregate data and not from alcohol exposure for individuals. However, the World Health Organization data used in this study were supported by similar results from population surveys in Denmark, Finland and Sweden (17–19).

The focus then becomes what you did (moved them) rather than what they did (drinking so much that they passed out outside). Often, in trying to “help,” well-meaning loved ones will actually do something that enables someone dependent on alcohol to continue along their destructive paths. Make sure that you are not doing anything that bolsters their denial or prevents them from facing the natural consequences of their actions. If family members try to “help” by covering up for their drinking and making excuses for them, they are playing right into their loved one’s denial game.

Call Vertava Health – Mississippi to Start Your Alcohol Addiction Recovery Journey

She has extensive experience in working with patients at all levels of care and has additional training in family dynamics, codependency, relapse prevention, and stress management. Lisa brings her understanding and compassion to our team and believes that with the right help, individuals and their loved ones can heal and grow in recovery and develop the necessary tools to thrive in life. Smoking is also a common lifestyle factor among alcoholics that can influence their lifespan. Alcoholics may be more likely to smoke cigarettes, which can have a range of negative health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

A person with a dependence may go through withdrawal symptoms without a certain level of alcohol in their body. When the normally high level of alcohol in a person’s body begins to drop, they may feel physically ill. They may only feel well when they maintain a consistent level of alcohol in their bloodstream. Because of the severity of the disease, medically monitored alcohol detox is a necessity.

Social Drinking

Alcohol has been found to be directly causally related to some diseases and conditions, such as mouth cancer in a person with a history of heavy chronic drinking. In the unfortunate event that a chronic drinker develops a serious health condition or disease, the treating physician can explain whether alcohol was a direct cause or a component cause. The attending physician can also explain how continued drinking will impact the specific condition(s) present. The need for a medically supervised detox depends, in part, on the length of time of alcohol abuse and usual volume of consumption. In some cases, alcohol withdrawal can present heightened risks and even lead to fatality. Individuals who are at risk for withdrawal effects require supervised medical detox.

As tolerance builds, a person who consumes alcohol will require a higher volume in order to experience the familiar effects. Second, the body will go through withdrawal if intake of the familiar drug ceases or if there is a significant reduction in the usual amount. When a chronic alcohol abuser stops drinking the signs of withdrawal will set in. After ongoing heavy use, the body may develop a physical dependence in middle-stage alcoholism, where they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking. Other lifestyle factors that can influence the average lifespan of an alcoholic include stress levels, sleep habits, and overall mental health. Alcoholics may be more likely to experience stress and anxiety, which can lead to a range of health problems.