Biochemistry
Without giving medical advice, alcohol consumption is really interesting. We tend to focus on long-term chronic damage to the liver but in the short-term our BP is elevated (kidneys, et al), our BG levels are elevated (liver, pancreas, et al), proper immune response is suppressed (more than I can list), etc. It's a nightmare. Factor in inflammation, Type 2 diabetes and cardiac problems and one can see how alcohol consumption plays into the newly popular "metabolic syndrome" or "Syndrome X" issues in the US health news reports.
Not medical advice but many of your vital stats will approach normal again after letting go of the booze.
Talk with a physician - it's easier than you may believe.