What is Alcohol Gastritis? Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Alcohol gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining due to binge drinking and heavy alcohol consumption over time. It can be classified as acute gastritis or can evolve into chronic gastritis.

Common symptoms can range from a mild stomachache to vomiting, nausea, belching, and indigestion. Serious symptoms of alcohol-induced gastritis include vomiting blood and peptic ulcers. If left untreated, alcohol-induced gastritis can have deadly consequences.

Avoiding alcohol use is the best way to treat and prevent alcohol gastritis. In some cases, medications are needed, as well as hospitalization and other procedures. Seeking help for a substance use problem involving alcohol is crucial for those suffering from alcohol gastritis.

What is Alcohol Gastritis?

Alcohol gastritis occurs when excessive alcohol use leads to inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

When we’re talking about alcohol-induced gastritis, it can be classified as acute or chronic. [1]

Chronic gastritis may last for months to years, with the stomach lining often showing histologic evidence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia. It can remain asymptomatic or cause vague, persistent upper abdominal discomfort. Diagnosis often relies on endoscopic biopsy findings, especially when associated with complications like iron-deficiency anemia or risk of gastric cancer.

Acute alcohol gastritis involves sudden inflammation that may resolve within days to weeks if alcohol is stopped. However, the course depends on severity and often requires medical treatment for symptom control and healing.[2]

What Causes Alcohol Gastritis?

Heavy drinking can lead to alcohol-induced gastritis because alcohol directly irritates the stomach lining and disrupts its protective mucus barrier, triggering inflammation.

Drinking alcohol increases stomach acid production and weakens the protective mucus layer, making the stomach lining more prone to inflammation and injury. Binge drinking or excessive drinking over time can make this problem worse. Chronic atrophic gastritis, especially when caused by H. pylori, is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Alcohol-induced gastritis alone has not been definitively established as a direct cause of stomach cancer.

Besides alcohol, other causes of gastritis can include an H.pylori bacterial infection. NSAIDs can cause gastritis even at regular doses, especially with prolonged use or in patients with existing risk factors such as older age, H. pylori infection, or alcohol use. Painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are classified as NSAIDs. Less common causes of gastritis include bile reflux—often after gastric surgery—and autoimmune gastritis, a distinct form caused by an immune attack on the stomach lining. Smoking is a known risk factor that may delay healing in gastritis and exacerbate symptoms. Stress-related mucosal disease (especially in critically ill patients) is a recognized cause of gastritis. Caffeine may aggravate symptoms, but it is not a confirmed direct cause.

How is alcohol gastritis different from other types of gastritis?

Alcohol gastritis is gastritis that is directly caused by heavy drinking. It should not be confused with other types of gastritis, which can have different causes. These can include infections and other triggers, such as stress and autoimmune diseases.

Alcohol Gastritis Symptoms

Alcohol gastritis may present itself in many different ways. Since all cases are different, being aware of the variety of symptoms can lead to the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms can include: [3]

• Loss of Appetite
• Upper abdominal pain
• Early satiety
• Nausea
• Hiccups (less common)
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Belching
• Acid Reflux (less common)

Many of these symptoms can signal a case of acute gastritis or another condition. It’s best to seek the advice of a healthcare provider before they develop into something more serious.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Gastritis

Besides recognizing the symptoms of alcohol-induced gastritis, it’s also important to be aware of the long-term effects.

Since alcohol gastritis results from inflammation and damage to the stomach lining, it can also lead to internal bleeding.[4] Gastrointestinal bleeding from gastritis is due to mucosal erosions or ulcers. If gastrointestinal bleeding is severe and not promptly treated, it can lead to life-threatening complications.

Diagnosing Alcohol Gastritis

Diagnosing alcohol gastritis can take different routes since it’s important to rule out other illnesses.

• Abdominal Exam: Your doctor will start by examining your abdomen. Your doctor will examine your abdomen, focusing on the upper (epigastric) area where gastritis pain is most often felt. Depending on your symptoms and the findings, your doctor may recommend an upper endoscopy to examine the inside of your stomach. [5]
• Upper Endoscopy: An upper endoscopy involves inserting a gastroscope through the mouth, passing through the esophagus, and into the stomach and duodenum to evaluate the upper GI tract. This upper endoscopy procedure allows doctors to see inflammation and any internal bleeding. Tissue samples may be taken during endoscopy to check for H. pylori infection, inflammation, or precancerous changes like dysplasia.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be ordered to check for anemia, a condition that can be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Stool Sample & Breath Test: Stool antigen and breath tests are primarily used to detect H. pylori infection, a common cause of gastritis.

Prolonging a trip to the doctor if you have symptoms and are drinking heavily can lead to permanent damage. This is especially true if you continue to drink and do not seek treatment.

Severe cases of gastritis—particularly when leading to bleeding or ulceration—can cause serious complications.

Treating Alcohol-Induced Gastritis

The best treatment for alcohol-induced gastritis is to stop drinking. The more a person with this condition drinks, the worse they will feel. Seeking addiction treatment services and often undergoing a detox program are necessary. While this can be difficult, professionals know how to help people with a substance use issue best.

Continued alcohol use can delay healing of gastritis and worsen symptoms. Abstinence significantly improves outcomes, although some patients may improve with reduced consumption and medical therapy. Besides eliminating drinking, other gastritis treatment options can include [6]:

• Antacids to neutralize stomach acids
• H2 blockers to reduce acid production
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more effective than H2 blockers for acid suppression and are the preferred therapy for moderate to severe gastritis.

If H. pylori is detected, a combination of antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications (e.g., PPIs) is prescribed. Eradication reduces the risk of recurrent gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer.

What lifestyle changes can help manage and prevent alcohol gastritis?

Other lifestyle changes for addressing alcohol gastritis include avoiding spicy foods, eating a balanced diet, and having smaller, frequent meals, which can also help the healing process.

Since smoking and stress can irritate the stomach lining, eliminating smoking and managing stress is helpful. Practicing mindfulness and yoga are additional avenues to potentially reduce stress.

Get Help for Alcohol Gastritis

If you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol gastritis, it’s important to seek treatment advice. Ignoring alcohol abuse and alcohol gastritis symptoms can lead to serious digestive health consequences. Seek medical advice and treatment for alcohol gastritis to prevent serious complications and support long-term recovery.