Short Term Dangers of Drinking Alcohol
Most, if not all drinkers are well aware of the immediate and obvious effects of drinking alcohol – the release of inhibitions, the increased sociability and the general feeling of the “high” – but how many really understand what is going on within their bodies when they continue to drink heavily for long periods of time. Sure, we all know that some unfortunate people end up with cirrhosis of the liver, but then, it’s only a few isn’t it?
It’s tempting to think therefore that the damaging effects caused by excessive drinking is an either/or situation. Either the harm will be severe and disastrous, or it won’t occur at all (and probably won’t occur to us…)
The fact is, however, that the risk of harm from excessive drinking increases rapidly once the recommended daily or weekly limits are exceeded, and damage can occur without the drinker even being aware of it.
It’s tempting to think therefore that the damaging effects caused by excessive drinking is an either/or situation. Either the harm will be severe and disastrous, or it won’t occur at all (and probably won’t occur to us…)
The fact is, however, that the risk of harm from excessive drinking increases rapidly once the recommended daily or weekly limits are exceeded, and damage can occur without the drinker even being aware of it.
Effects caused by increasing amounts of alcohol on the brain
1 – 6 Units
- Overall improvement in mood and possible euphoria
- Increased self-confidence
- Increased sociability
- Shortened attention span
- Flushed appearance
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired fine muscle coordination
- Sedation
- Impaired memory and comprehension
- Delayed reactions
- Difficulty balancing; unsteady walk
- Blurred vision; other senses may be impaired
- Profound confusion
- Extreme displays of emotion (eg crying)
- Impaired senses
- Analgesia
- Lack of muscular co-ordination
- Impaired speech
- Staggering
- Dizziness often associated with nausea (“the spins”)
- Vomiting
- Lapses in and out of consciousness
- Unconsciousness
- Progressive amnesia
- Vomiting (death may occur due to inhalation of vomit (pulmonary aspiration) while unconscious)
- Respiratory depression (potentially life-threatening)
- Decreased heart rate (usually results in coldness and/or numbness of the limbs)
- Urinary incontinence
- Unconsciousness (coma)
- Depressed reflexes (i.e., pupils do not respond appropriately to changes in light)
- Marked and life-threatening respiratory depression
- Markedly decreased heart rate
- Most deaths from alcohol poisoning are caused by dosage levels in this range.
Remember that the above figures do not necessarily relate to the amount someone has drunk over a given period of time, rather the concentration of alcohol in the blood (BAC) at any given time.
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Long Term Dangers of Drinking Alcohol
Long-Term Physical Effects of Drinking
In terms of the body, it is the liver that is the most likely organ for long-term damage as it is responsible for breaking down the ethanol in alcohol. Frequent and excessive drinking will overload the liver and lead to the development of a fatty liver and usually to hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Another issue is skin damage - you can often tell someone who is a heavy drinker because of their red cheeks and nose due to broken capillaries. In addition, there are physical signs - the “beer belly” from the excess calories in beer, particularly.
Drinking too much too often will cause physical damage, increase the risk of getting some diseases, and make other diseases worse. Excessive drinking over time is associated with:
Emotional Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
We also know about the emotional long-term effects; the primary effect is the likelihood of alcohol addiction or dependence. Using alcohol as a drug to change your mood, making you feel, in the short term, good about yourself will lead in the long term to an addiction. This is because it becomes your strategy; you are psychologically reliant on alcohol to feel good.
Over the long-term, it becomes a habit to drink and therefore the body and mind expects it. It can also signify boredom because over a long period you have the same behaviours; variety is often needed for enjoyment and excitement in life, a task which alcohol can no longer do for you.
The other issue is hopelessness which can lead to feelings of helplessness and suicidal thoughts. You come to believe that you cannot help yourself or anyone else. Only alcohol can do this for you; you believe that you can never change your destructive alcohol addiction.
Denial of the problem can lead to both guilt and shame and make it harder to admit you have a problem, especially because the problem has gotten worse over time.
So, the earlier you can deal with any issues with alcohol the better for you - both emotionally and physically.
In terms of the body, it is the liver that is the most likely organ for long-term damage as it is responsible for breaking down the ethanol in alcohol. Frequent and excessive drinking will overload the liver and lead to the development of a fatty liver and usually to hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Another issue is skin damage - you can often tell someone who is a heavy drinker because of their red cheeks and nose due to broken capillaries. In addition, there are physical signs - the “beer belly” from the excess calories in beer, particularly.
Drinking too much too often will cause physical damage, increase the risk of getting some diseases, and make other diseases worse. Excessive drinking over time is associated with:
- Hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver
- Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- High blood pressure/Hypertension (which can lead to stroke)
- Certain types of cancer, including mouth, oesophagus, and throat
- Permanent damage to the brain
- Heart failure
- Neurological problems such as epilepsy and peripheral neuropathy (lack of feeling in the hands and feet)
- Certain types of vitamin deficiency leading to malnutrition
Emotional Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
We also know about the emotional long-term effects; the primary effect is the likelihood of alcohol addiction or dependence. Using alcohol as a drug to change your mood, making you feel, in the short term, good about yourself will lead in the long term to an addiction. This is because it becomes your strategy; you are psychologically reliant on alcohol to feel good.
Over the long-term, it becomes a habit to drink and therefore the body and mind expects it. It can also signify boredom because over a long period you have the same behaviours; variety is often needed for enjoyment and excitement in life, a task which alcohol can no longer do for you.
The other issue is hopelessness which can lead to feelings of helplessness and suicidal thoughts. You come to believe that you cannot help yourself or anyone else. Only alcohol can do this for you; you believe that you can never change your destructive alcohol addiction.
Denial of the problem can lead to both guilt and shame and make it harder to admit you have a problem, especially because the problem has gotten worse over time.
So, the earlier you can deal with any issues with alcohol the better for you - both emotionally and physically.