Alcohol Use Disorders and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic relapsing brain disorder and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Chronic alcohol use worsens diabetes and associated diabetes-related complication. Alcohol use, especially over the long-term, can impact the glycemic control in persons with diabetes mellitus. Heavy consumption of alcohol in people with diabetes can lead to worsening of diabetes-related complications like diabetic ketoacidosis, altered lipid metabolism, peripheral neuropathy, sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. This review aims to describe the association between alcohol use and glucose tolerance, effects of alcohol on the pre-existing diabetes; association between alcohol use, diabetes mellitus and diabetes-related complications and interaction of medicines used to treat diabetes with alcohol.