When Will Alcohol Bloat Go Away? What to Expect During Recovery

From the salivary glands and tongue to the small intestines, almost every part of the digestive system is prone to alcohol-induced damage. Oral, throat, esophageal, colon, and rectal cancer are all possible risks.

As for the stomach, alcohol can cause bloating. Compared to cancer, it might not sound like such a serious problem. However, it’s still a common complaint among both casual and heavy drinkers.

How long does alcohol bloating last? It can last a few days and resolve on its own. Yet, it might also turn into a persistent symptom.

This post will help you understand the main factors at play and the possible causes. We’ll also go over beer belly and ascites to see how they’re different from a typical case of alcohol bloating.

Factors That Affect the Alcohol Bloat Duration

The level of alcohol consumption is the first factor to consider here. The more regularly you drink alcohol, the longer you can expect the bloat to last.

That’s because frequent alcohol intake doesn’t give your stomach time to heal. The damage builds up, and the symptoms become harder to manage.

The type of damage that causes the bloating in the first place matters, as well. For instance, gastritis is the most common culprit. In its acute form, the condition lasts days or weeks. Symptoms of chronic cases, on the other hand, can persist for months or years.

Other factors to consider are:

• Medications
• Diet
• Hydration level
• Existing digestive issues, like indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

The Difference Between Alcohol Bloat, Beer Belly, and Ascites

Before you go ahead and look at how alcohol causes bloating, you should keep in mind that not every increase in a heavy drinker’s waistline is going to be a case of alcohol-induced bloat.

It could be a beer belly or ascites. The accompanying symptoms, expected duration, and risk are all different.

Only a doctor can diagnose the case after a physical exam, and they’ll likely need a history of your health issues and alcohol abuse.

X-rays, blood tests, stool analysis, and the urea breath test (to check for bacterial infections) are all diagnostic tools that the doctor can rely on. Your doctor might also perform an endoscopy and take tissue samples for testing.

Alcohol Bloat vs. Beer Belly

Some people use terms like “beer belly” and “alcohol bloat” interchangeably, but it’s important to note that they’re not the same.

Granted, your stomach will look bigger in both cases. Yet, you don’t have to have abdominal bloating to say that you have a beer belly.

Alcohol bloat comes from a digestive issue that can be traced back to alcohol consumption (i.e., inflammation, water retention, gas buildup, etc.). Beer belly, however, is just excess fat.

A lot of alcoholic drinks are actually calorie-rich, and beer is no exception.

In fact, the average serving of beer has around 150 calories. Considering that a heavy drinker might consume several beers in one sitting along with some fried bar food, it’s not hard to see how the calories add up quickly.

How Fast Can You Get Rid of a Beer Belly?

If estimating the duration of an alcohol bloat is tricky, estimating how long a beer belly will persist is even trickier.

You have to look at this the same way you look at any type of weight gain. To get rid of the extra fat, odds are, you’ll need a blend of regular exercise, lifestyle changes, a balanced diet, and sound medical advice.

As a general estimate, you have to burn 3,500 calories just to shed one pound. How fast you can shed this belly depends on how much you weigh, your body fat deposition pattern, and the efficiency of your weight loss plan (diet, physical activity, etc.).

Alcohol Bloat vs. Ascites

Alcohol addiction is a top risk factor for liver diseases like cirrhosis, and ascites is just one of the complications that come with cirrhosis.

In cases of ascites, fluids build up in the stomach, causing it to swell. The swelling increases progressively and is usually accompanied by abdominal pain and difficulty breathing.

Ascites is a more serious issue than an alcohol bloat. It’s long-lasting in comparison as well.

Side Note: Cirrhosis takes time to develop, and many people remain asymptomatic in the early stages. They might not even be aware of the extent of the damage.

How Long Does Ascites Treatment Take?

Cirrhotic ascites isn’t something you should try to reverse at home. It requires medical attention. With proper treatment, the swelling may take weeks to resolve.

3 Ways Alcoholic Beverages Can Cause Bloating

Let’s go over the three main types of alcohol-induced damage that can lead to bloating.

1. It Inflames the Digestive System

Alcoholic beverages, in general, are inflammatory substances. Plus, alcohol can lead to bacterial overgrowth and endotoxin production in the gastrointestinal tract. It can alter stomach acid production and weaken the natural protective barriers as well.

All these issues can trigger an inflammatory response in the stomach lining (a condition healthcare professionals call gastritis). In chronic gastritis, the lining is in a constant state of inflammation and bloating.

2. It Acts as a Diuretic and Leads to Dehydration

Besides being an inflammatory substance, alcohol has a dehydrating effect on different parts of the body. When dehydration hits the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause a wide range of issues, including constipation and bloating.

To break it down, stomach bloating here happens because the body is trying to hold on to water as much as possible. So, for instance, the body might resort to absorbing more water from the colon and retaining it elsewhere.

3. It Can Introduce Carbon Dioxide to the Digestive Tract

Because alcohol disrupts the normal gut flora, it might cause an overgrowth of certain types of yeast. This overgrowth then leads to an increase in gas production, which can create an uncomfortable bloat feeling.

Additionally, some types of alcohol-based drinks are carbonated. The carbonation alone can introduce air into your digestive system. You’ll likely notice the same effect whenever you drink large amounts of sparkling water or fizzy drinks.

Complications of a Persistent Alcohol Bloat

Not all forms of alcohol bloat will resolve on their own. If left untreated, alcoholic gastritis can cause serious issues, including:

• Ulcers
• Anemia (more likely if you have bleeding ulcers in your stomach)
• Tumors

4 Tips for Managing Alcohol-Induced Gastritis and Bloating

If you’re looking for ways to help your stomach lining heal, check out these suggestions:

1. Consider Abstinence or Intake Reduction

In some cases of alcohol bloat/gastritis, doctors recommend that the patient cut back on alcohol. After all, it’s hard to treat an inflamed spot in the digestive system when you’re constantly drinking an inflammatory substance.

If you feel unable to quit or cut back on the amount of alcohol you consume, it might be time to consider seeking professional help.

Alcoholism treatment programs blend a wide range of therapies to create a personalized program that can put you on the road to recovery. Medication-assisted treatments (MATs) can also help you manage your alcohol cravings.

2. Stay Hydrated

As we’ve covered, dehydration could make the situation worse. So, if you do choose to continue drinking alcohol, try to make sure your electrolytes are replenished.

3. Try Over-the-Counter Remedies

Over-the-counter antacids could help with the occasional bloating.

If the problem persists, you’ll have to talk to your primary healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the case and symptom severity, your doctor might prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), probiotics, antibiotics, or other medications.

Self-medicating might not be the best way forward since a lot of people can’t differentiate between alcohol bloat, beer belly, and the more serious cirrhotic ascites.

4. Make Some General Lifestyle Changes

Abstaining from alcohol and drinking water regularly can make a huge difference. But trying small lifestyle changes won’t hurt, either. At the least, these changes will help boost your well-being and overall health.

Here are five ideas to consider:

• Cut back on carbonated beverages.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking can also damage the stomach lining and cause bloating.
• Manage your stress levels.
• Get enough rest every day.
• Know your triggers and avoid food that irritates your digestive system.

How Recreate Life Counseling Can Help You Tackle the Root Cause

Unfortunately, alcohol bloat isn’t the worst problem that comes from uncontrollable drinking. Cirrhosis, cancer, cardiomyopathy, and ischemic strokes are all possible forms of alcohol-related organ damage.

Remember that continuing a heavy drinking habit even though it’s causing (or exacerbating) health issues is a sign of an alcohol use disorder. Full recovery isn’t an attainable goal, though.

At Recreate Life Counseling, we understand how hard it is to quit drinking. But we know how individualized and evidence-based treatment programs can help people overcome their addictions.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by dialing (888) 685-3082 or sending us a message. We’re happy to discuss the available residential and partial hospitalization programs for alcohol dependency.

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Published on: 2025-06-30
Updated on: 2025-06-30