Health effects

Alcohol-related liver damage can begin with fatty liver and progress to inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis. Early liver damage may cause few or no obvious symptoms.

If you have yellow skin or eyes, a swollen abdomen, vomiting blood, black stools, severe weakness or confusion, seek urgent medical help.

Alcohol can contribute to high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and weakening of the heart muscle. The risk tends to rise as drinking becomes heavier or more frequent.

If you have chest pain, severe breathlessness, collapse or signs of a stroke, phone 999.

Short-term effects include slower reactions, poor coordination, memory gaps and blackouts. Long-term heavy drinking can also contribute to nerve damage, problems with memory and concentration, and serious brain-related conditions.

Alcohol can contribute to gastritis, reflux, nausea, vomiting and digestive problems. Heavy drinking can also cause pancreatitis, which can be extremely painful and may need hospital treatment.

Severe upper abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or becoming suddenly very unwell needs urgent medical assessment.

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers including mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

Alcohol disrupts normal sleep patterns. You may wake more often, snore more heavily, sleep less deeply and wake feeling exhausted.

Using alcohol regularly to get to sleep can also increase tolerance and make it harder to sleep without it.

Alcohol can feel calming at first, but as it wears off anxiety can rebound and sleep can worsen. Heavy or frequent drinking can make depression, irritability and emotional swings harder to manage.

If your mental health is becoming difficult to cope with, speak to your GP.

Long-term heavy drinking can weaken the immune system, affect nutrition and contribute to weight changes, vitamin deficiencies and slower recovery from illness or injury.

If you have persistent symptoms or feel your health is deteriorating, book an appointment with your GP and be honest about how much you drink.

Speak to your GP if you are worried alcohol is affecting your health. You can also contact Drinkline Scotland or a local alcohol service for confidential advice.