Why Is High-Functioning Alcohol Tolerance Bad for Your Health?

People often think of being able to “hold your liquor,” or alcohol tolerance, as a good thing. Often, individuals — particularly young adults — encourage others to drink a lot and praise them for it.

However, tolerance to alcohol comes with many health risks. You may know that excessive drinking damages your liver and could lead to alcohol use disorder, commonly known as alcohol addiction or alcoholism. But did you know that excessive drinking can also affect your digestive health and increase your risk of cancer?

Here, we will define tolerance and describe how it affects you. We will also discuss some health risks associated with excessive drinking and how you can reduce them. In addition, we will share ways to recognize if your alcohol tolerance is too high and steps you can take to lower it. 

Lastly, we will discuss how you can get help if you think you are misusing alcohol.

What is functional tolerance to alcohol?

Tolerance to alcohol is also known as functional tolerance. It means that your brain has adapted to alcohol in your body. This causes you to experience less of the effects of alcohol over time. Even at high blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), you may not seem as impaired as most people do at the same BAC.

For example, say that you have a BAC level of 0.10. This level typically comes with impaired functioning, such as lack of coordination and slurred speech. However, if you have functional tolerance, at this BAC level, you might be able to walk straight and speak clearly.

You develop alcohol tolerance by drinking regularly over time. There are also different levels of tolerance. For instance, you might have developed a mild tolerance, where you no longer experience the initial “buzz” after you start drinking. However, as you drink more and your BAC rises, you start to lose motor control.

You can develop a high alcohol tolerance by drinking heavily on a regular basis. Read on to learn about the negative consequences of tolerance.

How does alcohol tolerance affect you?

Your brain adapts as you develop a tolerance to alcohol. This can lead to problems, such as alcohol dependence and withdrawal. Even drinking in moderation comes with risks. 

What does alcohol tolerance do to the brain and body?

When you develop a tolerance for alcohol, your brain gets used to it. As a result, it adapts so that it can function with alcohol. This means you are able to better control your actions compared to when you first started drinking. That is why, with a high tolerance, you may still be able to walk and talk normally at higher BAC levels.

One danger of functional tolerance is that your body does not warn you that you have had too much to drink. One minute, you could be feeling, acting, and speaking fine. The next minute, though, you could be unconscious.

Also, if you drink heavily on a regular basis, you have a risk of developing a physical dependence on alcohol. This means that your body gets so used to alcohol that you need it to function.

Withdrawal happens if you have alcohol dependence and then stop drinking abruptly. Your body struggles to function without alcohol. This can cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms that may be dangerous.

How does drinking in moderation affect you?

You might have heard that a glass of red wine per day can help lower your risk of heart disease. However, research on this has been mixed, and scientists can’t say for sure if it is true.

Even drinking in moderation can increase your risk of health problems such as cancer and heart disease. When your body breaks down even small amounts of alcohol, toxic chemicals are released. These toxins impact cell function throughout your body.

Health risks are, of course, higher if you drink more than the recommended limits. Read on to learn about the health risks of heavy drinking.

What health conditions can excessive drinking lead to?

You are probably aware of the negative effects that heavy drinking has on your liver. Heavy alcohol use can also cause digestive issues, damage to your immune system, and cancer. We will highlight some examples of these health effects below.

Digestive problems

Excessive drinking can cause problems throughout your entire digestive tract. Examples include your:

• Stomach: High levels of alcohol can aggravate your stomach lining. As a result, the stomach releases even more digestive juices that are very acidic. This can cause problems such as stomach bleeding and ulcers (breaks in your stomach’s lining). 

• Pancreas: Your pancreas makes enzymes that your small intestine needs for digestion. If you drink too much alcohol, your pancreas can make the enzymes too early, and that can lead to a buildup of them in your pancreas. This can cause swelling of tissue in your pancreas, called pancreatitis.

• Intestines: Your intestines, or gut, must have the right balance of good and bad bacteria. Alcohol boosts an imbalance and overgrowth of the bad bacteria. This then leads to inflammation of the gut.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol-related digestive problems can include:

• Black or tarry stool or stool with blood

• Bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

• Abdominal pain that radiates up your back

• Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen

• Losing weight without trying

It is important to tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. They can then begin testing to identify specific concerns. Also, note that this is not a complete list of symptoms. It is always a good idea to inform your doctor of any changes in your body.

Immune system damage

Alcohol can also weaken your immune system. One way that it does this is by lowering the number of cells that release antibodies into your bloodstream. Antibodies fight invaders of your body, such as bacteria. With fewer antibodies, you have a greater risk of getting illnesses, like pneumonia.

Cancer risk

Alcohol increases the risk of certain cancers because it changes the DNA in your cells. As your body processes alcohol, it creates a chemical that damages your DNA. It also keeps your body from repairing the damage. Because DNA controls cell growth and function, damage to it can cause uncontrollable cell growth and create a tumor.

Researchers have found that excessive alcohol use is linked to various cancers, such as:

• Breast cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Colon cancer

• Oral cancer

• Cancer of the esophagus

• Liver cancer

Cancer risk increases with age, and older adults feel the effects of alcohol much more.

There are signs of possible alcohol-related cancer. If you notice these signs, it is important to tell your healthcare provider. Some signs and symptoms include:

• Changes to one or both of your breasts (you can check your breasts yourself)

• Enlarged prostate

• Lump or pain on the right side of your stomach

• Recurring stomach ulcers

• Sore tongue or sores on the corners of your mouth

Again, these are just some signs of possible cancer. This is not a complete list. Be sure to report any health changes to your provider.

Alcohol use disorder

Tolerance is one of the signs of alcohol use disorder. Excessive drinking increases your risk of alcohol use disorder. This is because it could lead to problems such as an inability to cut down your use and problems with other people.

How can I reduce these health risks?

One way to reduce health risks associated with heavy drinking is to avoid alcohol. If you do choose to drink, drink in moderation. This would be two drinks per day for male people and one per day for female people. Also, be aware of your BAC levels and what you can do to keep your BAC low.

If you have developed a high tolerance for alcohol, it is possible to reduce it. Some ways to do this are by:

• Reducing how much you drink 

• Avoiding shots and drinking games

• Taking a break from drinking

What are signs that your alcohol tolerance is too high?

There are a few ways to tell if your alcohol tolerance is too high. One obvious way is that, while drinking, you might notice that you have to drink a lot more than you used to to feel drunk. Or you feel less of an effect from drinking the same amount.

Another way is that you get feedback from your friends that you had a lot to drink but you never looked drunk. Or they might tell you that you did something well, but you do not remember doing it. 

How to get help if you think you have a problem with drinking

If you are concerned about your drinking, consider getting an assessment from a mental health professional. This should be someone who specializes in substance use issues. They can help determine the level of your alcohol misuse and make treatment recommendations.

There are a few ways to locate a substance use treatment provider:

• Ask your medical provider if they have anyone they can refer you to.

• Call your insurance company to find out what mental health providers are in your network.

• Find a provider through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA) Alcohol Treatment Navigator.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP, has 15 years of clinical experience providing therapy. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Indiana and Illinois with treatment experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy modalities.

Reviewed by:

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health professional with over 10 years of clinical experience.

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