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Short-Term Physiological Effects of Alcohol

One of the most widely used drugs is not an illegal one found in the so-called gutters of society. It is a legal one common in many grocery and liquor stores across the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 52 percent of those 18 and older in the United States are regular alcohol drinkers. Despite alcohol's widespread usage, consuming it doesn't come without short-term and long-term physiological consequences.

  1. Alcohol Absorption

    • The body absorbs alcohol quickly, especially if a person drinks it on an empty stomach, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Within 10 minutes, an individual may notice the short-term influence of alcohol. Around the 40- to 60-minute mark, the body's liver breaks down alcohol, lessening the influence.

    Brain Influences

    • Alcohol impairs the memory. According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, blackouts and memory lapses may occur due to alcohol's influence, leaving the drinker unable to recall what happened while intoxicated. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), women are more prone to alcohol-induced blackouts and memory lapses. Perception and coordination also decrease under the influence of alcohol, and alcohol may temporarily blur vision and distort hearing.

    Body Influences

    • In the short term, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, alcohol depresses your heart and breathing rates. The heart can be further influenced by a temporary spike in blood pressure, according to MayoClinic.com. Alcohol also destroys red blood cells, which may contribute to anemia, according to the Foundation for a Drug-free World.

    Psychological Influences

    • The physiological influence of alcohol may lead to psychological consequences. Alcohol temporarily lowers judgment and may also reduce social inhibitions, each of which can lead to potentially risky behavior. Alcohol consumption raises the risks of car accidents, suicide and risky sexual behavior, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Amount of Alcohol

    • For people who consume alcohol, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends moderation. Because men and women absorb alcohol at different rates, the USDA defines moderation as one alcoholic beverage per day for women and two alcoholic beverages for men. One 12-oz. beer with 5 percent alcohol, for example, is one drink, and 1.5 oz. of 80-proof liquor also counts as one drink.

    Warning

    • Women who are pregnant should not consume alcohol. Women who consume alcohol during pregnancy increase their child's chances of birth defects, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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