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Facts on the Dangers of Alcohol

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol causes 2.5 million deaths a year. There is a direct relationship between alcohol consumption and 60 different types of disease and injury. Even in small amounts, beer, wine and liquor have immediate negative effects on the body and mind. These effects become more dangerous as alcohol consumption becomes more frequent.

  1. Liver Damage

    • When alcohol is consumed it goes directly to the blood stream, and within minutes it travels to every organ in the body, including the brain, heart, liver, lungs and kidneys. The more alcohol consumed, the greater the impact on these organs.

      The liver is especially prone to alcohol-related damage. It's the job of the liver to remove toxins like alcohol from the body. The liver can only process so much alcohol, and any excess causes an imbalance in the body. According to the American Liver Foundation (ALF), three common ailments are associated with excessive alcohol consumption. These include fatty liver disease, hepatitis and cirrhosis. The most severe of these is cirrhosis; the ALF estimates that 10 to 20 percent of alcoholics develop this irreversible condition that can lead to liver failure.

    Impaired Judgment and Behavior

    • Alcohol is a depressant and slows brain activity. Even short-term alcohol use, including just one drink, can delay reaction time, impair vision, slur speech, weaken muscles and cause memory loss. These factors make activities like driving especially dangerous.

      Although alcohol depresses brain functions, it often stimulates people to act out, sometimes in violent or aggressive ways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 35 percent of victims of violent acts stated that their aggressors were under the influence of alcohol.

    Addiction

    • One of the most dangerous effects of alcohol is addiction. Excessive and constant alcohol consumption puts the body at risk and can impact work, family and social life. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alcoholism decreases life expectancy by 10 to 12 years as a result of organ failure, injuries and accidents.

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