Catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of all-trans-retinol, alcohol, and omega-hydroxy fatty acids and their derivatives (PubMed:15369820, PubMed:16787387, PubMed:9600267). Oxidizes preferentially all trans-retinol, all-trans-4-hydroxyretinol, 9-cis- retinol, 2-hexenol, and long chain omega-hydroxy fatty acids such as juniperic acid (PubMed:15369820, PubMed:16787387, PubMed:9600267). In vitro can also catalyze the NADH-dependent reduction of all-trans- retinal and aldehydes and their derivatives (PubMed:15369820, PubMed:16787387, PubMed:9600267). Reduces preferentially all trans- retinal, all-trans-4-oxoretinal and hexanal (PubMed:15369820, PubMed:16787387). Catalyzes in the oxidative direction with higher efficiency (PubMed:15369820, PubMed:16787387). Therefore may participate in retinoid metabolism, fatty acid omega-oxidation, and elimination of cytotoxic aldehydes produced by lipid peroxidation (PubMed:15369820, PubMed:16787387, PubMed:9600267). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15369820, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16787387, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9600267}. This is the function of ADH7 (alcohol dehydrogenase 7 (class IV), mu or sigma polypeptide, ENSG00000196344).