Because cholesterol is produced in the same organ that processes alcohol (the liver), excessive alcohol use can increase your cholesterol levels, specifically your bad cholesterol levels. Too much bad cholesterol increases your risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
In addition, alcohol consumption can lead to fatty liver disease, which prevents your liver from removing bad cholesterol from your body.
Alcohol can also cause weight gain due to excessive amounts of calories and added sugar. People who are overweight are more likely to experience high levels of bad cholesterol.