The Effects of Alcohol Consumption in Quantities

Almost everyone has had a drink or two to help escape the stress of a bad day and to relax. In small quantities, alcohol provides a mild euphoria and removes inhibitions. However, long-term heavy consumption of alcohol can have serious permanent and debilitating effects, leading to addiction, brain damage, disease and serious physical danger for those around the drinker.

Effect on Brain

• The short-term effects of drinking even a few alcoholic beverages are well documented. Drinking leads to slurred speech, slower reaction times, unsteady walking, blurred vision and memory lapses or blackouts. One of the possible effects of long-term heavy drinking is the shrinking of the brain. Alcohol-related liver disease causes damage to the brain and may lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder that is often fatal.

Other Physical Effects

• Consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short time causes alcohol poisoning. Other immediate effects include dehydration and sexual problems (such as erectile dysfunction). Long-term heavy drinking also damages the liver and may leave it unable to break down alcohol and clean it from the body. Alcoholism has also been linked to various cancers of the stomach, rectum, throat, liver, colon, larynx, kidney and esophagus.

Social Effects

• Drinking before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is dangerous, making the driver a danger not only to himself or herself but to other drivers and pedestrians along the route. When social drinking crosses the line and becomes alcoholism, it begins to have an impact on the drinker's family, friends, and coworkers. Heavy drinking often destroys relationships and leads to spousal abuse, child abuse and broken, dysfunctional homes. Alcoholism fosters codependent behaviors in others, or an inability to have healthy satisfying relationships.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• Drinking while pregnant causes developmental problems for the fetus. Children with FAS are usually smaller than average and may have distinct facial features, such as small eyes, short nose, and a smaller-than-normal mid-face area. There is the possibility of having fewer brain cells, leading to life-long problems in learning and behavior.