Excessive drinking can cause cancer, liver damage, nervous system problems, heart and circulatory problems, and other physical and behavioral problems in older adults. Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the liver, pancreas, mouth, tongue, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. This risk is even greater if you also use tobacco products. Besides liver cancer, alcohol may cause fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other liver disease. Nervous system problems.
Alcohol can create a lack of thiamine, disrupting nerve function.
The disorder also may cause confusion and, over time, coma. Korsakoff's psychosis, a chronic condition which causes short-term memory loss and affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It can cause pain, cramps, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs and hands. Heart and circulatory problems. A lack of thiamine can cause heart failure.