Reasons Not to Drink Alcohol

Although the media and society often portray alcohol as the be-all and end-all of fun and excitement, drinking alcohol can also oftentimes lead to many problems, from health-related issues to social elements and beyond. Although alcohol can seem ubiquitous at parties and other events, many strong cases are out there for avoiding alcohol consumption.

Humiliation

• Drinking alcohol and even getting slightly buzzed can cause people to lose control of themselves and engage in behaviors that they normally would not. This includes saying something hurtful to someone, participating in sexual contact with another person and just generally behaving in ways that are embarrassing and humiliating, such as slurring your words or falling all over yourself. Feeling humiliated is one thing, but such behaviors also can lead to serious consequences, such as getting pregnant.

Danger

• Alcohol can be responsible for some extremely dangerous life situations. Drinking and driving can lead to death and harm for yourself and other completely innocent people on the road, including children. Other severely dangerous possibilities that could arise from alcohol use and drunkenness include drowning deaths, suicide and homicide.

Addiction

• Alcohol, like other types of drugs, is an addictive substance. Alcohol addiction can take over your life and manifest itself in a variety of unhealthy and unpleasant physical and mental symptoms, including bizarre mood swings, depression, dependence, antisocial behavior, withdrawal, anger, rage, problems with friends, issues at school or at work, nausea, stomachaches, shakiness, blackouts and puffiness.

Poisoning

• If an individual drinks an excessive amount of alcohol during a brief time span, he runs the risk of possibly experiencing a condition known as alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning essentially is exactly what its name indicates, and is usually characterized by aggressive throwing up. Other dangerous signs of the condition include severe drowsiness, losing consciousness, seizures, decreased glucose levels and problems catching breath. In extremely serious cases, the condition can even be fatal.

Long-Term Issues

• Alcohol can be detrimental to health in a variety of long-term ways, such as causing damage to the liver. Apart from liver damage, excessive drinking for years on end also can lead to brain, heart and pancreas damage. Those who are highly dependent on alcohol could also experience malnutrition, as it is common for people to replace meals with alcoholic beverages.