Published: February 2026 | Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 7 min

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining (gastric mucosa). The stomach lining serves as a protective barrier against the highly acidic environment needed for digestion. When this lining becomes inflamed or damaged, it leads to pain, digestive problems, and potentially serious complications. Gastritis can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (persistent inflammation).

How Addiction Causes Gastritis

Substance abuse contributes to gastritis through multiple mechanisms depending on the substance. Alcohol damages the stomach lining directly, opioids disrupt digestive motility, stimulants reduce blood flow to the GI tract, and the overall lifestyle patterns associated with addiction (poor nutrition, stress, medication misuse) compound these effects.

Alcohol and Gastritis

Direct Damage

Alcohol is a gastric irritant that damages the protective mucous layer of the stomach. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to erosive gastritis — visible damage to the stomach lining with erosions that can bleed. Heavy drinking also increases stomach acid production while simultaneously weakening the mucosal barrier, creating a destructive combination.

Alcoholic Gastritis Progression

Repeated alcohol exposure leads to chronic inflammation that can progress from superficial irritation to deep erosions, gastric ulcers, and even perforation. Chronic alcoholic gastritis also increases the risk of intestinal metaplasia, a precancerous condition.

Other Substances and Gastritis

Opioids

Opioids slow gastrointestinal motility, leading to delayed gastric emptying, constipation, nausea, and acid reflux — all of which contribute to gastric irritation. Chronic opioid use also suppresses the immune response, potentially worsening H. pylori infections.

Cocaine and Stimulants

Cocaine and other stimulants constrict blood vessels throughout the body, including those supplying the stomach. Reduced blood flow to the gastric mucosa impairs healing and can cause ischemic gastritis. Stimulant-induced nausea and decreased appetite also contribute to poor GI health.

NSAIDs and Over-the-Counter Medications

Many individuals with addiction misuse NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin) for pain management. NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandin production, which is essential for maintaining the stomach's protective mucous layer. Chronic NSAID use is a leading cause of drug-induced gastritis.

Symptoms of Gastritis

Common Symptoms

• Burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting (sometimes with blood)
• Bloating and early satiety
• Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
• Dark, tarry stools (indicating GI bleeding)
• Indigestion and acid reflux

When to Seek Emergency Care

Vomiting blood, passing black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, and signs of shock (rapid heartbeat, dizziness, pale skin) require immediate medical attention as they may indicate GI bleeding.

Treatment Approaches

Medical Treatment for Gastritis

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Reduce stomach acid production to allow healing
• H2 blockers: Decrease acid secretion
• Antacids: Provide symptomatic relief
• Sucralfate: Coats and protects damaged stomach lining
• H. pylori treatment: Antibiotics if bacterial infection is present

Addressing the Root Cause

Medical treatment for gastritis is only effective long-term if the underlying substance use is addressed. Continuing to drink alcohol or use other gastric irritants while treating gastritis leads to repeated cycles of damage and incomplete healing.

Integrated Treatment

The most effective approach addresses both addiction and gastritis simultaneously. Addiction treatment programs can coordinate with medical providers to manage GI symptoms during early recovery while addressing the substance use disorder through therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups.

Nutritional Recovery

Substance abuse frequently causes nutritional deficiencies that impair GI healing. Nutritional counseling helps restore essential nutrients, identify tolerable foods during recovery, and establish healthy eating patterns.

FAQ

Will my gastritis go away if I stop drinking? In many cases, yes. Acute alcoholic gastritis often resolves within days to weeks of stopping alcohol consumption. Chronic gastritis may take longer and may have caused permanent changes, but significant improvement is typical with sustained sobriety.

Can gastritis from addiction cause stomach cancer? Chronic gastritis increases the risk of gastric cancer, particularly when it leads to intestinal metaplasia or atrophic gastritis. Stopping the causative substance use and treating the gastritis reduces this risk, but regular medical monitoring may be recommended.

Should I take antacids while still using substances? While antacids may provide temporary symptomatic relief, they do not prevent the ongoing damage caused by substance abuse. Treating the symptoms without addressing the cause allows the condition to progress.

References

• Bode, C., & Bode, J. C. (1997). Alcohol's role in gastrointestinal tract disorders. Alcohol Health and Research World, 21(1), 76-83.
• Franke, A., et al. (2005). The effect of ethanol and alcoholic beverages on gastric emptying of solid meals. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 40(3), 187-193.
• Lanas, A., & Chan, F. K. L. (2017). Peptic ulcer disease. The Lancet, 390(10094), 613-624.

Written by the Valley Spring Recovery Center Editorial Team

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