Drinking can lead to a host of physical problems, including damage to several organs. But can alcohol cause kidney stones?
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard masses that form inside your kidneys. They can result from buildups of several substances, including calcium, uric acid, and salt. Certain bacterial infections and health conditions such as diabetes can also increase a person’s risk of developing kidney stones.
Some kidney stones pass naturally via urination, while others require medical intervention. If they remain in your system for an extended period of time, kidney stones can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), other infections, injuries to the kidney, and swelling due to urine retention.
Symptoms
In addition to being harmful to your health, kidney stones can also be sources of considerable physical distress. Common symptoms can include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Intense lower back pain
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Painful urination
- Frequent and/or difficult urination
- Blood in urine
- Malodorous or cloudy urine
Can Alcohol Cause Kidney Stones?
Now that we’ve reviewed a few basic facts about kidney stones, let’s turn our attention toward why they occur. As we asked in the title of today’s post, can alcohol cause kidney stones?
Researchers have not identified a direct cause-effect relationship between drinking and developing kidney stones. However, frequent alcohol consumption may indirectly contribute to this health concern through dehydration, which is a primary risk factor for kidney stones.
It may seem counterintuitive, but heavy drinking can have a dehydrating effect on the body. Though alcoholic beverages contain large amounts of water, the drug itself is a diuretic. This means that it causes increased urination and inhibits fluid retention.
Alcohol use has also been linked with poor diet, overweight, and obesity – all of which are also risk factors for kidney stones.
Other Health Effects of Alcohol Abuse
In addition to contributing to an increased risk of kidney stones, chronic alcohol abuse can be a factor in several other types of health damage, many of which can be fatal if not addressed in time. The potential health effects of heavy drinking include:
- Heart disease, a weakening of the heart muscle, and an increased risk of heart attack
- Liver disease, which can progress from steatosis (fatty liver) to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, breast, colon, and rectum
- Impaired functioning of the immune system
- Malnutrition
- Acute and chronic pancreatitis
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Respiratory difficulties
- Elevated risk of stroke
How to Avoid Health Damage from Alcohol Use
The best way to minimize your risk of alcohol-related health damage is to drink infrequently and only in moderation. The only way to eliminate the risk entirely is not to drink at all.
If you are unable or unwilling to curtail your alcohol use – especially if you’ve been advised that continuing to drink could be harmful to your health – that could indicate that you’ve developed alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for alcoholism.
Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction
To be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, you need to be evaluated by a qualified professional. If you’re not sure if you should schedule an assessment, take a look at the following signs of alcohol addiction:
- You frequently drink more, or for a longer period of time, than you intended.
- You spend significant amounts of time drinking and recovering from the effects of alcohol.
- You often experience intense cravings for alcohol.
- You feel the need to use alcohol to cope with stress or deal with setbacks.
- You find it difficult to have fun or experience joy without using alcohol.
- You have lied to or otherwise deceived friends, family members, or colleagues about how much or how often you drink.
- You have used alcohol in circumstances that are particularly dangerous, such as by drinking and driving or combining alcohol with other drugs.
- You drink at times that you know are inappropriate, such as first thing in the morning or while you’re working.
- You have failed to meet your responsibilities at home, in school, or at work as a result of your alcohol use.
- You have continued to drink even after having medical or mental health problems that were caused or aggravated by your alcohol use.
- You’ve continued to drink even after you have gone through difficulties in your personal life – such as problems in your relationships, job loss, or being arrested – as a result of your alcohol use.
- You have developed tolerance, which means that you need to drink more than you used to in order to experience the effects of alcohol.
- If you try to quit drinking, or if you are prevented from using alcohol for a few days, you develop withdrawal symptoms.
- Loved ones have expressed concern about your drinking habits.
- You want to stop drinking, and you may have even dried to give up alcohol, but you’ve been unable to quit for good.
If any of these signs look familiar to you, it may be time to talk to a professional. The longer you drink, the greater your risk becomes of incurring irreversible damage. But when you get the right type of treatment, you can begin to enjoy a healthier and more hopeful life in recovery.
Alcoholism Treatment Options
Treatment for alcoholism can occur in many programs and may involve a variety of therapies and support services. For many people, the path to successful recovery involves detoxification and outpatient care:
- Detoxification (detox) is a short-term program that can help you get through withdrawal safely. While you’re in detox, your treatment team may provide medical and therapeutic support to protect your health and help you manage your symptoms.
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) feature full days of treatment. For example, the PHP at Tampa Bay Recovery Center is in session Mondays—Fridays, 9 a.m.—4 p.m. each day. In the evenings and on the weekends, you can spend time at home with loved ones, or in a supportive sober living residence.
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) provide partial days of treatment a few days each week. While you’re in an IOP, you may be able to work, take classes, and participate in other heathy and productive pursuits when the program isn’t in session.
Learn More About Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Recovery Center offers medical detox and personalized outpatient programming for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also offer dual diagnosis services to patients who have anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.
Our treatment center is a safe and welcoming place where you can receive focused care and comprehensive support from a team of highly skilled professionals.
To learn more about our programs and services, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
