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Long Term and Short Term Effects of Alcohol

Believed to be caused by an inherited dependency disorder, alcoholism can lead to severe health problems and death. The effects of small amounts of alcohol can be short-lived, but frequent consumption of large amounts may be a sign of a more serious problem.

  1. Alcoholism and Genetics

    • Human molecular geneticists have named a gene called cholinergic muscarinic 2 receptor, or CHRM2, as being responsible for drug and alcohol dependency issues, according to an article in the Aug. 15, 2005, "Human Molecular Genetics." It has been reported that a "variation in the CHRM2 gene" predisposes a person "to alcohol dependence and major depressive syndrome," the article states.

    Short-Term Effects

    • Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which usually causes a feeling of euphoria, relaxation, or loss of inhibition when consumed in small amounts. When the amount of alcohol consumed increases, a person may develop slurred speech, poor coordination, and dehydration. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) warns that "even moderate drinking leads to short--term impairment, as shown by extensive research on the impact of drinking on driving."

    Long-Term Effects

    • Frequent consumption of alcohol can lead to many health problems. According to the NIAAA, "people who have been drinking large amounts of alcohol for long periods of time run the risk of developing serious and persistent changes in the brain." An example of such a change is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). WKS can lead to debilitating psychosis. Symptoms include cognition and coordination problems.

      A well-known long-term effect of alcoholism is liver disease. When the liver is damaged, it cannot filter out toxins that can harm the body or lead to death. Liver cirrhosis can lead to a fatal brain disorder called hepatic encephalopathy.

    Symptoms of Alcoholism

    • Alcoholism has easily detected symptoms. The Mayo Clinic lists feeling a strong compulsion to drink, drinking secretly, becoming irritable when you cannot drink, and drinking large amounts of alcohol to become intoxicated intentionally as symptoms of alcoholism. Other symptoms include blacking out, going through withdrawal and hiding alcohol in strange places.

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