Serenity Lane offices have been impacted by the ice storm throughout the state. Click here for the most up-to-date information on the status of our services. (last updated 1/18/2024, 5:42 PM)
It likely comes as no surprise that too much of a good thing is often not good. This is true with many things in life: overeating, over exercising, and overspending. This is also true with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or binge drinking on a regular, ongoing basis. Our bodies simply cannot perform at their best when we do not fuel them with consistent proper nutrition and exercise.
Habitual drinking can lead to many long-term health problems, including kidney disease. These health problems can be scary to think about but are necessary to review as there are long-term health consequences related to drinking.
When we are engaged in the daily behavior of drinking, it can become normal, habitual, and very difficult to break. It is important for us to consider the big picture of its impact on our health and future quality of life.
When it comes to getting ourselves or our loved ones closer to seeking addiction treatment, gaining and sharing knowledge can be a powerful tool. Having a better understanding of the causes and effects related to drinking can motivate us to make lifestyle changes like removing drinking from our daily routine.
It is important to note that alcohol can be particularly dangerous to withdraw from, and it is not recommended you take a “cold turkey” approach to stopping alcohol use. It is best to consult with a medical or mental health professional to discuss the best treatment options for you.
At Serenity Lane, we offer medically supervised detox for alcohol use. We are happy to assist you in having a safe and healthy experience removing alcohol from your body and beginning your pathway toward recovery.
Let’s explore further the ways alcohol affects the kidneys, the causes of kidney disease, the signs and symptoms that you or your loved one may have an alcohol problem, alcohol treatment available to you or your loved one today at Serenity Lane, and how to begin your treatment journey at Serenity Lane.
According to an article entitled “Alcohol’s Impact on Kidney Function,” by Dr. Murray Epstein, M.D., the kidneys are cushioned in fatty tissue near the base of the spinal column. The kidneys are organs that perform two main tasks in the body: excrete or pass waste products and regulate or control body fluid. The kidneys also form and collect urine, which exits through the ureter, which is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, the role of the kidneys is to filter out harmful substances like alcohol from your blood. Alcohol is able to change how the kidneys function and reduce the ability of the kidneys to filter your blood.
In addition to filtering out harmful substances, a function of the kidneys is to maintain the correct amount of water in your body. As you could imagine, alcohol damages the ability of the kidneys to maintain the correct water balance. Alcohol dehydrates or dries out the body. The drying effect of alcohol can negatively impact the proper functioning of body cells and organs, which includes the kidneys.
Alcohol also impacts blood pressure. People that drink too much too frequently tend to have higher blood pressure. Medications used to stabilize blood pressure are not meant to be taken with alcohol. It is important for your health that you are honest about how often you drink and how much you drink when working with medical providers to develop the best treatment plan for you.
As mentioned, drinking too much too frequently causes high blood pressure. What is considered drinking too much too often? More than two drinks a day can result in high blood pressure.
Unfortunately, high blood pressure is a common contributing factor to kidney disease. As you are learning, misusing alcohol has a domino effect on your body. The more you drink, the more health issues you are at risk of developing.
Chronic or long-term drinking can also lead to developing liver disease, and it further adds to the hard work that must be performed by the kidneys. Liver disease impairs the rate of blood flow to the kidneys and causes the kidneys to struggle with filtering your blood well.
Most people that are dependent upon alcohol have both liver disease and kidney dysfunction.
According to the National Institutes of Health, two main causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. We just discussed the connection between heavy drinking and high blood pressure.
To elaborate, high blood pressure can cause damaged blood vessels in the kidneys. Once this happens, the kidneys don’t work as well as they used to. If the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged, your kidneys may struggle to remove the waste and extra fluid from your body. This extra fluid in the blood vessels can further raise blood pressure. This creates a dangerous cycle.
Excessive drinking can also cause diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, too much alcohol may cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can impair its ability to secrete insulin and potentially lead to diabetes.
Other causes of kidney disease include taking a drug, such as alcohol, that is toxic to the kidneys.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019 in Oregon, there were 437 deaths related to kidney disease.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, in 2017, 1,923 Oregonians (40 per 100,000 population) died from alcohol-related causes. These alcohol-related causes of death include chronic diseases, acute poisoning, injury, and perinatal causes. Notably, there has been a 34% increase in the overall rate of alcohol-related deaths since 2001.
Among people ages 12 or older in Oregon, between 2002-2005 and 2014-2017, the yearly average percentage of alcohol use disorder in the past year did not significantly change. During 2014-2017, the yearly average prevalence of past-year alcohol use disorder in
Oregon was 7.8% or 268,000, which was higher than both the regional average (6.4%) and the national average (5.8%).
Serenity Lane, which has locations throughout Oregon, offers rehabilitation for alcoholism or alcohol use disorder. At Serenity Lane, we offer safe, medical detox, residential treatment, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or day treatment program, and outpatient programming. Our team of medical and mental health professionals is happy to assist you and work together to develop the best treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
Perhaps reading the ways in which alcohol negatively affects the kidneys caused you to feel concern for your own health or the health of a loved one. It is never too late to get the help you need to begin living a healthier lifestyle. Call Serenity Lane today at (800) 543-9905 to begin your journey toward recovery from alcohol use.
What are the first signs of kidney damage from alcohol?
According to the National Kidney Foundation, the role of the kidneys is to filter out harmful substances like alcohol from your blood. Alcohol is able to change how the kidneys function and reduce the ability of the kidneys to filter your blood. Alcohol also damages the ability of the kidneys to maintain the correct water balance, so dehydration could be an early sign of kidney damage. Drinking too much too frequently also causes high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a common contributing factor to kidney disease.
Can you reverse kidney damage from alcohol?
According to the Mayo Clinic, acute (sudden) kidney failure can be fatal (deadly) and requires intensive treatment. However, acute kidney failure may be reversible. If a person is in good health, they may recover and regain normal kidney function or nearly normal kidney function.
Does alcohol affect your kidneys or liver more?
Drinking heavily over a long period of time negatively impacts both your kidneys and liver. These organs rely upon each other. Most people that are dependent upon alcohol have both liver disease and kidney dysfunction.
Copyright © 2026 SERENITY LANE
SERENITY LANE is a registered trademark of Serenity Lane, an Oregon non-profit corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
