Gastritis and Alcohol: Understanding the Connection

Gastritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the stomach lining—often painful, disruptive, and potentially dangerous if left untreated. While many factors can contribute to its onset, one of the most common and overlooked causes is alcohol consumption. Whether it’s casual drinking or long-term use, alcohol can gradually erode the stomach’s protective barrier, making it vulnerable to damage from stomach acid.

At The Ranch Tennessee, we treat both alcohol addiction and its physical consequences, including alcohol gastritis. If you’re experiencing stomach pain and also struggling with alcohol use, this guide can help you understand the connection, the risks, and how healing is possible.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis refers to inflammation of the stomach lining. This protective layer shields the stomach’s muscle wall from the corrosive effects of digestive acids. When that lining is weakened or inflamed, those acids can irritate the stomach tissue and cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe digestive issues.

Gastritis can be caused by:

• Frequent use of NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen
• Infection from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
• Aging or immune system changes
• Excessive alcohol use

While mild gastritis may resolve with lifestyle changes, untreated or ongoing irritation, primarily from alcohol, can lead to ulcers, bleeding, or even an increased risk of stomach cancer.

Can alcohol cause gastritis?

Yes, it can. A common question we hear is: “Does alcohol cause gastritis?” The answer is yes, especially with frequent or heavy use. Alcohol is a known irritant to the gastrointestinal system. It interferes with the production of mucus that protects the stomach lining and increases stomach acid levels, creating a perfect storm for inflammation.

When alcohol disrupts this balance, it leaves the stomach lining exposed to hydrochloric acid, which is essential for digestion but harmful when unchecked. This process can lead to acute or chronic gastritis from alcohol, depending on the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed.

Alcohol gastritis symptoms to watch for

Alcoholic gastritis symptoms can range in intensity. In some cases, they may be brushed off as minor digestive issues. However, if left unaddressed, they can become chronic and damaging.

Common alcohol gastritis symptoms include:

• A burning sensation or pain in the upper abdomen
• Nausea or vomiting, sometimes with blood
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent belching or bloating
• A sour or metallic taste in the mouth
• Fatigue and weakness
• Black or tarry stools (a sign of bleeding)

It’s important to note that alcohol-induced gastritis can also be silent in its early stages, causing minimal symptoms until more serious complications arise.

How alcohol affects your stomach

Understanding the effects of alcohol on the stomach helps to look at how digestion works. The stomach uses muscle contractions to churn food and gastric acids to break it down for absorption. One of those acids, hydrochloric acid, is strong enough to dissolve food and would also damage the stomach wall if not for the protective mucus layer.

Alcohol interferes with this process by:

• Reducing the production of protective mucus
• Increasing stomach acid secretion
• Delaying gastric emptying, which can lead to bloating and irritation
• Damaging epithelial cells lining the stomach

Over time, this combination can result in alcoholic gastritis, a condition that becomes harder to manage the longer alcohol use continues.

Diagnosis and medical evaluation

Diagnosing alcohol-induced gastritis usually begins with a comprehensive health evaluation. Your healthcare provider may perform:

• A physical exam and discussion of your alcohol use history
• Blood tests (including a CBC) to assess for anemia or infection
• Stool tests to check for hidden blood
• A breath or biopsy test for H. pylori
• Endoscopy to visually inspect the stomach lining

Often, diagnosis can be made with a simple combination of symptoms and reported alcohol use, especially when consistent with signs of alcohol gastritis.

Alcohol gastritis treatment: what are your options?

The good news: alcohol gastritis treatment is usually effective, especially when caught early and alcohol use is reduced or stopped. Medical care may include:

• Antacids to neutralize existing stomach acid
• H2 blockers (e.g., famotidine or ranitidine) to reduce acid production
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or esomeprazole for longer-term acid suppression
• Antibiotics if H. pylori is present

In addition, providers will typically recommend dietary adjustments (e.g., avoiding spicy or acidic foods), stress management, and, most importantly, reducing or eliminating alcohol.

If you’re wondering how to treat alcohol gastritis, the first and most critical step is to stop drinking. Without this change, even the most effective medications can only provide temporary relief.

Why alcohol-related gastritis is dangerous

Alcohol-induced gastritis doesn’t just cause discomfort. It can lead to serious complications if untreated, including:

• Stomach ulcers
• Internal bleeding
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Perforation of the stomach wall
• Peritonitis or pancreatitis
• Elevated risk of stomach cancer

Repeated exposure to alcohol inflames the lining further and weakens the body’s natural healing processes. If ulcers develop and bleed, or if the stomach wall is compromised, urgent medical care is needed.

That’s why prompt, sustained treatment and support for alcohol use is so important.

Long-term outlook and recovery

Most cases of alcoholic gastritis improve significantly once drinking stops and medications are used consistently. However, chronic cases may require longer treatment and ongoing monitoring, particularly if ulcers or erosion have already occurred.

Even after healing begins, the stomach lining may take weeks or months to fully recover. Depending on the severity of the damage, clients who stop drinking may notice a marked decrease in symptoms within days or weeks.

Treating gastritis effectively includes:

• Abstaining from alcohol
• Following medication and dietary guidance
• Managing stress and underlying emotional issues
• Treating co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression
• Seeking help for alcohol dependency if needed

Alcohol addiction treatment at The Ranch

At The Ranch Tennessee, we understand that alcohol and gastritis often go hand-in-hand, not just physically, but emotionally. Many people want to stop drinking but feel stuck in a cycle of discomfort, shame, or dependency. That’s why we offer compassionate, comprehensive care that addresses both sides of the issue.

Our alcohol addiction treatment programs include:

• Medical detox to help you safely stop drinking
• Inpatient and outpatient treatment tailored to your goals
• Dual diagnosis support if emotional or psychological concerns are present
• Trauma-informed therapy to understand the root causes of substance use
• Nutrition and wellness support to heal the body and reduce inflammation

Healing your stomach begins with healing your relationship with alcohol. You don’t have to go through it alone.