Health Risks Associated with Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed substances in the world, often associated with social gatherings, celebrations, and relaxation. But, behind the cultural acceptance lies a range of health risks that can have serious consequences. From its immediate effects on judgment and coordination to its long-term impact on the brain, liver, heart, and mental health, alcohol consumption—especially in excess—can pose significant threats to overall well-being.

Understanding these risks is a critical step toward making informed choices and protecting your health. Here, Lisa Barnes, Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with Riverside Healthcare Behavioral Health Outpatient Services Pathways, provides important information surrounding the health risks associated with alcohol consumption and resources people can turn to.

Understanding Binge Drinking vs. Social Drinking

Drinking alcohol regularly—even daily—can raise concerns, but determining how much is "too much" isn't always straightforward, as tolerance varies from person to person. However, certain drinking patterns, like binge drinking, are known to be risky. Binge drinking typically means consuming a large amount of alcohol within a two-hour period, which can raise blood alcohol levels to dangerous or even life-threatening levels, leading to symptoms such as blackouts, vomiting, or passing out.

This is opposed to “social” drinking. “Typically, social drinking is more when a person is out, they're at an event, and they wouldn't necessarily consider drinking if they weren't there. It is more controlled. It is a choice. It's usually less excessive,” states Barnes. “Where binge drinking is, ‘I'm going to drink multiple drinks in excess within a very short amount of time,’ which increases your blood alcohol level to a dangerous level and in turn could cause lot of very complex outcomes.”

Physical, Mental, and Social Consequences

Alcohol poses numerous health risks, even without binge drinking. Long-term heavy drinking can lead to serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, liver disease (fatty liver, inflammation, and scarring), and pancreatic issues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 70% of alcohol-related deaths are due to health complications, while the remaining 30% result from injuries.

“Keep in mind that alcohol use disorder can have effects that extend beyond your physical health,” notes Barnes. “Excessive use could impact your family dynamics, your ability to main those relationships, your ability to sustain employment. It can certainly lead to financial hardships or even legal issues, as well as symptoms of mental health issues.”

Getting Treatment Help

If someone is concerned about their alcohol use, the first and most important step is to reach out for help. Many people struggle to stop drinking on their own, often due to underlying issues they may not recognize. Treatment centers can offer support through group therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to reduce cravings, and other recovery options. Building a sober support network—through AA, NA, online communities, or personal connections—can also play a crucial role in recovery. All behavior has purpose, and understanding that is key to effective treatment.

“Really, the first step is acknowledging there's a problem, accepting that you need support, and the willingness to take those first steps to make it happen,” shares Barnes.

Robust Services Offered By Riverside Healthcare

Riverside provides inpatient behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients, focusing on stabilization through daily psychiatric care, medication management, psychoeducation groups, and case management to support safe discharge planning.

Pathways, located at 400 South Kennedy Drive, Suite 200 in Bradley, offers outpatient group therapy. Services include partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs addressing a range of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and PTSD. The goal is to promote emotional stability and daily functioning through education and coping strategies.

Programs are available in structured morning and afternoon sessions. Children's services are typically for ages 8–11, with exceptions made for younger children on a case-by-case basis. Adolescents ages 12–17 also have tailored programs. Adult services include a trauma-specific women’s group in the morning and a dual diagnosis group in the afternoon addressing both mental health and substance use disorders. There are future plans to further separate these into distinct tracks.

“Our ultimate goal is to split groups and have a substance-specific and then a mental health group as well. We're working diligently to get all of our ducks in a row so we can go live with them operating separately. But, anyone who is interested in mental health and or substance use treatment can contact Pathways at any time and we will take it from there,” assures Barnes. “We’ll walk them through the process and get them scheduled for an intake to determine what is most appropriate for them.”

No referral is required to schedule an intake—anyone in need of mental health support can call 779-701-2000 to get started. Referrals are also accepted from physicians, psychiatrists, schools, family members, and others. The Pathways team is known for being flexible and responsive to the community’s needs.

For more information, go to riversidehealthcare.org/services/behavioral-health.