Based on what you are describing, you might have inflammation of your superior laryngeal nerve which is the nerve that controls the muscle around your larynx (voice box) that controls pitch. An upper respiratory tract infection (cold) can cause the inflammation. You might need oral steroids or nerve medications like Lyrica to quiet down the inflammation. It can take up to 3 months for the inflammation to subside, but sometimes the problem is permanent. The best way for evaluation is to see a speech pathologist who specializes in voice and who can perform a videostroboscopy which is a special camera to look at the movement of the vocal cords. The speech pathologist can recommend vocal strengthening exercises and works with an ENT who can prescribe the medication.
Hello and hope you are doing well.
Understand your predicament. It's unlikely that alcohol can directly affect the vocal cords. However, ingestion of alcohol, can cause gastritis and further GERD, (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), where the acid contents of the stomach come up into the esophagus, this can irritate the throat and vocal cords. Please consult your primary care physician for further evaluation.
In the meantime you can try some life style measures. Take frequent small meals. Eat dinner about two hours before sleeping. Elevate the head end of the bed. Keep a food diary and note down what aggravates your symptoms and avoid them. Ensure to maintain optimum weight by regular exercise. Avoid non steroidal anti inflammatory medications NSAID's, quit smoking, eliminate alcohol and reduce stress levels. These measures need to be practiced long term for results.
Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
My fiance is a singer/lead guitar player...he's gone through this a few times in the past.
Try drinking herbal teas...one in particular is made especially for throat issues.
Gargle with salt water. Don't clear your throat.
Alcohol shouldn't permanently do any damage to your throat.
As it was New Years, I'll assume you also did a bit of yelling? That doesn't help any. lol
You could be suffering from a larynx issue, postnasal drip, etc.
If this continues see your doctor.