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The Effects of Tobacco & Alcohol

Tobacco and alcohol can cause a number of detrimental mental and physical effects. Some effects of both substances include increased risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as addiction. Whether you are an occasional or frequent user of either substance, it is important to know the risks.

  1. Physical Effects of Tobacco

    • Smoking tobacco causes major damage to the body's organs over time. Tobacco can lead to cancer of the lungs, stomach, kidney, pancreas, mouth and bladder. Smoking also causes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In addition, using tobacco can lead to heart attacks, strokes and brain aneurysms. According to 2009 data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 440,000 people die each year in the United States because of tobacco use.

    Physical Effects of Alcohol

    • There are both short-term and long-term physical effects of drinking alcohol. Immediate effects include nausea, headaches and vomiting. Prolonged effects include permanent damage to the body's major organs. Heavy drinkers can develop cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, which can be fatal. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes complications and an increased risk of cancer.

    Mental Effects of Tobacco

    • The main mental effect of tobacco is addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 85 percent of smokers fail when trying to quit on their own. As nicotine enters your system, it activates dopamine in the brain, increasing pleasure. Those who attempt to quit smoking may experience feelings of anxiety, irritability, depression and trouble sleeping.

    Mental Effects of Alcohol

    • Because alcohol is a depressant, it can lower your brain function and affect your judgment. Being under the influence of alcohol can make you do things you normally wouldn't, such as getting into a fight. Some individuals who drink alcohol regularly may become addicted. If they are unable to get their hands on alcohol, they may become irritable, depressed, nervous and, in extreme withdrawal, may even hallucinate.

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