To understand how alcohol interacts with your immune system, it is helpful to think of the immune response as a multi-faceted process. When a pathogen invades the body, several steps must occur to neutralize it. Specialized immune cells (e.g., white blood cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes) identify the pathogen and https://ucla-mexico.org/what-is-meth-use-effects-addiction-and-treatment/ mount a coordinated response. This process relies on a complex communication network involving cytokines and other signaling molecules that help guide and regulate immune cells. In addition to pneumonia, alcohol consumption has been linked to pulmonary diseases, including tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus, and ARDS. Often, the alcohol-provoked lung damage goes undetected until a second insult, such as a respiratory infection, leads to more severe lung diseases than those seen in nondrinkers.
Liver Failure
Similarly, alcoholics exhibited an intact T-cell–independent antibody response after administration of a specific antigen. Thus, alcohol may interfere with antibody production indirectly by inhibiting the production of certain T-cell–derived cytokines required for B-cell alcoholism symptoms function. The complexity of alcohol’s effects on B cells is underscored further by findings that alcohol impairs B-cell proliferation in response to the T-cell–derived cytokine IL-4 but not in response to the T-cell-derived cytokine IL-2. Chronic as well as acute alcohol consumption also reduces the ability of phagocytes to ingest and break down pathogenic bacteria. For example, cultured human monocytes exposed to alcohol showed reduced phagocytic functions; moreover, the cells produced less of a receptor protein that is required for the ingestion of antibody-coated particles.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Effects
- You can also consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and support.
- Chronic alcohol consumption can slow recovery from infections by impairing immune function, resulting in longer healing times.
In contrast, in humans an increase does alcohol lower immune system in absolute values of the CD3+ lymphocytes has been recently found after 30 days of moderate beer consumptionReference Romeo, Warnberg, Nova, Díaz, González-Gross and Marcos11. Although the first study was made in animals, and the second in humans, the results suggest that the effect of alcohol intake on T lymphocyte subsets may depend on the amount consumed. This imbalance can lead to a “leaky gut,” where harmful substances enter the bloodstream, triggering immune responses and potentially leading to chronic inflammation. Alcohol can suppress our innate immunity, which serves as the body’s frontline defense. This means infections like colds or the flu might last longer if alcohol has been consumed, as the immune cells’ ability to combat these pathogens is hampered. Innate immune responses are nonspecific “natural killer” cells, and complement proteins.
Slowed Wound Healing
While enjoying a single drink might not sound the alarms throughout the entire immune system, even moderate drinking can extend the time it takes your body to recover from illnesses. How does drinking lower your immune system’s ability to defend you against diseases? This is our immune system, compromised and lagging, all because alcohol distracted our guards. After detox, each person will transition to residential treatment to further their recovery goals and skills to maintain a healthy, sober life.
