Heavy drinking can cause damage to which organ, leading to accumulation of fat?

The liver is the organ most significantly affected by heavy drinking, leading to a condition known as alcoholic fatty liver disease. When the liver processes alcohol, it can disrupt normal fat metabolism, causing fat to accumulate in liver cells. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and potentially cirrhosis of the liver. This process occurs because the liver is responsible for breaking down fats and produces substances that help metabolize alcohol; when there is too much alcohol, its ability to function properly is impaired.

While heavy drinking can indeed affect other organs, such as the heart (which can experience conditions like cardiomyopathy due to alcohol), the kidney (which can suffer from decreased filtration and damage), and the lungs (which can face issues from impaired oxygenation), the liver is uniquely sensitive to the effects of alcohol in relation to fat accumulation and metabolic disruption.