In a 2024 survey by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), they found that 14.5 million Americans aged 12 and above engage in heavy drinking regularly. The same survey reported that 27 million adults also struggle with alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol is a type of addictive substance and carries both short-term and long-term effects on an individual’s physical and mental health. Drinking alcohol frequently, regardless of the amount, makes you vulnerable to injuries and various illnesses.
Beyond the dreaded “beer belly,” your gut health is usually among the first to be affected.
If you notice experiencing stomach pain after drinking beer, spirits, or wine, this could be a sign of alcoholic gastritis. And while not immediately life-threatening, this condition can result in several serious health complications.
Here’s everything you should know about how alcohol harms your digestive health, how to tell if what you’re experiencing is alcoholic gastritis, and expert tips to overcome alcohol abuse.
How Heavy Alcohol Abuse Affects Digestive and Gut Health
Alcohol is a depressant drug, which means it slows down the central nervous system’s (CNS) activity, including your brain and spinal cord. Some of its initial effects include euphoria and lowered inhibitions.
Some sedative effects of alcohol include drowsiness, slowed reaction, impaired coordination, and difficulty thinking or concentrating.
There are numerous ways alcohol can impact the digestive system and gut health.
Ethanol, the compound found in alcohol, is a toxic substance that your body treats as a poison. That means all the organs responsible for consuming, metabolizing, and eliminating this toxin can be affected.
This can include the gallbladder, pancreas, liver, and the entire gastrointestinal tract (GI), which comprises the mouth, esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines, and the anus.
Imbalance In the Gut Flora
Too much alcohol can kill “good” bacteria in the gut, disrupting the microbiome balance and causing an increase of “bad” bacteria. With fewer helpers to aid in digestion, your stomach is more likely to be inflamed and irritated.
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition associated with this imbalance in the GI tract’s microbiome. Frequent diarrhea is a sign of a leaky gut, which is often accompanied by abdominal pains and cramps.
Candida, a type of yeast, thrives in a problematic gut caused by alcohol drinking. Cramps, bloating, and general digestive discomfort may indicate an overgrowth of this yeast in the stomach.
In some cases, the enzymes that normally stay in the digestive tract can seep and pool into the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Even one episode of binge drinking can have immediate effects, weakening the esophageal sphincter, resulting in heartburn and stomach acid reflux. Ethanol can also alter your body’s ability to break down sugars.
Liver Damage
Besides wreaking havoc in the gut’s flora, excessive drinking can damage the liver, the organ that metabolizes substances. During this process, acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct, is produced faster than it can be broken down, causing considerable harm to liver cells.
Acetaldehyde is a carcinogenic chemical and is linked to cancer risk in some parts of the digestive tract.
Fat buildup in the liver is also common among heavy drinkers. According to Yale Medicine, about 90% of people who consume large amounts of alcoholic drinks regularly suffer from alcohol-related fatty liver disease.
Over time, excess fat in the liver can progress into severe liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. It’s a major risk factor for other disorders, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Nutrient Malabsorption
You may find it surprising, but alcohol addiction and malnutrition are related. People who consume large amounts of alcohol over long periods often suffer from particular nutrient deficiencies.
This issue is linked to the increase in acetaldehyde. The poisonous toxin damages cells in the stomach lining, your body’s primary tool for absorbing crucial vitamins and nutrients from food.
Vitamin B is a vital micronutrient your body needs to process and metabolize alcohol. However, with its ability to gather nutrients impaired, your body’s vitamin B reserve depletes, and your liver can struggle to break down the substance efficiently.
Because alcohol is a diuretic, drinking can make you urinate more. This can flush out vitamin C and zinc, among other micronutrients.
What Is Alcoholic Gastritis?
Stomach pain after drinking alcohol can be a sign of alcoholic gastritis. This is a condition that occurs when there’s an erosion, irritation, or inflammation of the stomach lining caused by long-term alcohol consumption.
There are a few ways one can contract gastritis apart from alcoholism, such as overusing NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.), stress, and autoimmune illnesses.
Bile reflux from the small intestine can also lead to symptoms similar to gastritis, as well as bacterial infections in the digestive tract.
Gastritis can be either acute or chronic. You’ll need assistance from healthcare experts (gastroenterologists) in both scenarios.
Gastritis Symptoms
Alcoholic gastritis doesn’t always have symptoms, making early diagnosis difficult. But if it does, it can include one or more of the following:
- Noticeable lack of energy
- Always feeling bloated
- Feeling full despite not eating
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- A persistent gnawing or burning sensation in the stomach
- Pain between the ribs and the navel area
- Shortness of breath in people with anemia
- Blood in feces from bleeding stomach lining
An individual may experience stomach irritation and indigestion even without gastritis. But if your symptoms persist for an entire week or longer, we recommend meeting with your physician immediately.
Promptly seek medical attention if the pain becomes unbearable, vomiting nonstop, or if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
How Is Alcoholic Gastritis Treated?
Gastritis can be treated with medication, and the symptoms will usually subside quickly.
Your gastroenterologists may prescribe antibiotics to kill bacteria in the stomach, antacids to regulate acidity in the digestive tract, or proton pump inhibitors for stomach ulcers. Probiotics are sometimes recommended to encourage good bacterial growth.
That said, treatment plans for gastritis generally vary based on its severity, the patient’s age, medical history, and overall wellness.
Alcohol-related gastritis, in particular, requires the patient to avoid alcohol while recovering or quit drinking for good.
Stomach Ulcers and Alcoholic Gastritis
Serious cases of gastritis can lead to peptic ulcer, open sores in the stomach lining. This is due to stomach acid further irritating the compromised protective lining of the stomach.
If left untreated, these open sores may turn into life-threatening complications, such as severe bleeding, perforation (hole) in the stomach, and stomach cancer.
Symptoms of a peptic ulcer are:
- Vomiting blood
- Dark spots (blood) in stool
- Dizziness and fainting
People aged 70 and above are at a higher risk of stomach ulcers. Female drinkers, however, are more prone to developing peptic ulcers than men.
Treatment Options For Alcohol Use Disorder
Overcoming alcohol addiction is a significant step to preventing and treating gastritis. Addiction treatment centers like Recreate Behavioral Health offer safe and evidence-based interventions for AUD.
Depending on your unique situation, your substance abuse counselor may recommend the following treatment options.
Medical Detox
Abstaining from addictive substances is often accompanied by uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which can come in physical and mental forms. Without guidance from experts, these symptoms can be life-threatening.
Delirium tremens, characterized by confusion and intense tremors, is an example of a rare but deadly alcohol withdrawal symptom.
Medical detox refers to drug detoxification supervised by healthcare professionals and at a secure facility. It ensures safe and comfortable withdrawal for people struggling with substance and alcohol use disorders.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Serious AUD may require FDA-approved medication to manage acute withdrawal symptoms and other co-occurring disorders. It also prevents fatal complications like seizures and poisoning.
Long-acting benzodiazepines, a class of central nervous system depressants, are a go-to choice for treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome. They do this by imitating the effects of alcohol in the brain, and can be used for a smoother treatment course.
Some symptoms that benzos may help alleviate include nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills, pain, and anxiety.
Counseling and Behavioral Therapy
Counseling and behavioral talk therapies are standard in addiction treatment. Alongside medication, they aim to identify toxic behavioral and thinking patterns that reinforce alcohol use and address them.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy are popular choices of talk therapy in SUD interventions.
Bottom Line: Seeking Expert Help For Alcohol Addiction
If alcohol misuse has caused gastritis and other health issues in you or someone you know, it may be time to consider seeking expert help to overcome the addiction.
Recreate Behavioral Health is a trusted provider of alcohol use disorder treatment in the country. We provide humane and personalized interventions alongside state-of-the-art addiction treatment facilities to help you recover the life you and your loved ones deserve.
Call us, and take a step toward sobriety today!
