There are several long-term effects of alcohol use.

Tolerance- Regular use of alcohol may result in tolerance, making it necessary to drink more and more in order to produce the same effects. As tolerance develops, a person may drink an increasing amount without appearing to be intoxicated. The person may continue to function reasonably well until some severe physical damage results or until he or she is hospitalized for some other reason. Then the individual will experience withdrawal, symptoms that occur when the person stops drinking alcohol. These symptoms range from jumpiness, sleeplessness, sweating, and poor appetite to tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations.

Dependence- Some people become physiologically dependent on alcohol. The body develops a chemical need for alcohol. Physiological dependence is marked by tolerance and withdrawal. The symptoms of withdrawal are so unpleasant, a person tends to drink more alcohol in order to avoid the symptoms. As a result, the level of tolerance increases.

Liver Problems- Alcohol interferes with the liver's ability to break down fats. As fats build up in the liver, a condition known as a fatty liver develops. This increased amount of fat prevents the normal work of the liver cells. It also interferes with the growth of new liver cells. As a result, old liver cells are not replaced as quickly as they normally would be. The excess fat in the liver blocks the flow of blood in the liver cells, resulting in reduced oxygen, and eventually, cell death. This condition has been found in both moderate and heavy drinkers. It can be reversed when drinking stops.

Heavy alcohol use destroys liver tissue, which is then replaced with useless scar tissue. This condition is called cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis means "scarring." There is no blood flow in the scarred area because there are no blood vessels, so the work of the liver is greatly reduced by cirrhosis. The symptoms of cirrhosis are high blood pressure, hemorrhages, abdominal swelling, tendencies toward infection, and a jaundiced appearance. Jaundice can be recognized by a yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Brain Damage-Long-term, excessive use of alcohol invariably leads to major brain damage. People have been hospitalized in mental institutions for severe brain damage caused by excessive alcohol use. Even moderate drinking can destroy brain cells. There can be a loss of intellectual abilities, such as remembering and problem solving. These losses can be enough to interfere with everyday functions.