It’s also possible that you could develop liver cirrhosis and gut damage and become less able to absorb and process nutrients. Most alcoholic drinks are laden with sugar, so if you’re drinking too much then you could also be piling on the pounds. Leukemia Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells in which the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal. And that’s especially true when it comes to heavy drinking. A case of idiopathic iliopsoas hemorrhage in an alcohol abuser effectively treated with vitamin K therapy. If your bruise doesn’t improve within two weeks, or if you start to notice frequent, unexplained bruises—whether you’re drunk or sober—call your doctor. For the average healthy guy the alcohol-related effects on bruising are temporary, and no real cause for concern. So when you drink alcohol and injure yourself, you can be left with a bigger, more noticeable bruise than you might see while sober. The big bruises you get from smacking into something like a door frame may be sore for a few days, but minor bumps and bruises aren’t likely to be dangerous. However, the vasodilating effects of alcohol can make injuries more dangerous.

The liver, responsible for performing many functions in the body, processes what the body needs, discarding what it doesn’t. As the liver breaks down the alcohol, the chemical reaction releases a toxin, which damages liver cells. If too much alcohol is ingested repeatedly over time, even without getting drunk, liver damage begins. When too much liver damage occurs, it impacts the whole body. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcohol use disorder. The glamorous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it’s OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact risk.

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Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group. Drinking too much alcohol is a risk factor for liver diseases like cirrhosis. As liver disease progresses, the liver stops producing the proteins needed for helping blood clot. Because of this, a person may have excessive bleeding and bruise easily. Alcohol acts as a vasodilator — it causes blood vessels to relax and open. Even small amounts, like a glass of wine or a shot of hard alcohol (mixed drinks count!), can trigger this effect and increase your risk for bruising after Botox or filler treatments.

Some examples of SSRIs include fluoxetine , sertraline , and paroxetine . These six types of medications are common offenders. For more information about these medications, speak with your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Sober House Some medications and supplements can affect how well blood can clot, which may lead to more bruising and bleeding. Predictive platelet counts for alcohol withdrawal syndrome complications have been proven and calculated.

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There’s another potential consequence of drinking and alcohol vasodilation. If you’ve ever had surgery, you may have been told to stop drinking 48 hours before. That’s because the vasodilating effects of alcohol can last longer than you think, even after you’ve stopped feeling the effects of alcohol. If you drink before surgery, it can be risky for two reasons. The first is that you’ll bleed a lot, and doctors will have to work hard to make sure you don’t lose too much blood. When ingesting alcohol, the blood vessels in the body expand and relax. The expansion of the vessels increases the flow of blood in the body – this includes the vessels that are near the surface of the skin. When there is more blood circulating, there is a higher chance of blood escaping if there is a rupture in a vessel. Even a small bump can cause a rupture in the blood vessels, leading to a red or purple-colored bruise.

Once stabilized, the goal is to transition from detox, to treatment, to maintenance , to transcendence—the final step in the path to recovery. Every day, 44 Americans die from overdoses involving prescription opioids. Learn how we are continuing our bruising and alcohol mission to be a force of hope and healing, and what we are doing on the front lines to help families and communities affected by opioid addiction. Learn how long alcohol can be detected in your system, and how long the effects from alcohol may last.