Risks of excessive alcohol
There are many risks associated with drinking alcohol excessively. Alcohol consists of short term effects and long term effect.
There are many risks associated with drinking alcohol excessively. Alcohol consists of short term effects and long term effect.
Short term effects Trouble concentrating, Loss of coordination, Mood swings, Raised blood pressure, Vomiting, Passing out, Vision problems, lower inhibitions (which can lead to social problems) and loss of critical judgement. |
Long term effects Memory loss, Loss of attention, Cancer (Throat, Mouth, Larynx, Breast, Liver, Colorectal and Esophageal), Stroke, Irregular heart beat, High blood pressure, Liver fibrosis, Alcohol hepatitis as well as gray matter and white matter in the brain. |
Excessive alcohol is known to have an affect on the person's ability to drive as it is known to reduce your reaction times and give the user confidence like no other. Alcohol is ultimately a leading cause in motor crashes around the world. In fact, in 2018, the number of accidents caused by drink driving has been estimated to be around 5,890. Not only this, alcohol is said to cause violence, sexul assault including violence with an intimate partner. The sexual behaviours associated with excessive alcohol drinking can lead to unprotected sex or protected sex with multiple people. This could have a significant impact on relationships and can also lead to the risk of getting an STD. In addition to this, excessive alcohol drinking can lead to Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This disorder can occur in a mother who drinks alcohol during pregnancy and can have significant effects on the unborn baby which can lead to behaviour/learning difficulties. When alcohol from the mother’s blood passes through the umbilical cord to the baby, it gives rise to FASD. A person who has FASD may have the following:
- Poor coordination and poor memory
- Hyperactive behaviour
- Learning disabilities
- speech/language delay
- Low IQ
- vision/hearing problems
RISK ON THE BODY
Alcohol drinking in excess can also be poisonous. The signs associated with alcohol poisoning are; Confusion, Nausea and Vomiting, Slowed/irregular breathing, Pale skin, Low body temperature, Unconsciousness, Cyanosis and seizures. Further effects alcohol can have on the body can be seen in the table below.
Liver
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Alcohol can contribute to liver disease through consistent abuse of alcohol. It can leave the liver inflamed or even scarred and can lead to liver cancer.
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Pancreas
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Alcohol abuse can lead to pancreatic, which is inflammation of the pancreas and can affect digestion. This could further lead to harmful substances being produced via the pancreas.
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Digestive
system |
The lining of the stomach can be worn by excessive alcohol abuse which can increase production of stomach acid. This can lead to ulcers. Alcohol can further lead to nutritional deficiencies and impair blood sugar control.
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Bones
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Alcohol abuse can lead to a calcium imbalance and can affect the production of vitamin D. Calcium is very important for maintaining healthy bones and vitamin D is important for calcium absorption. The lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis which increases the risk of bone fractures which can ultimately cause serious pain and disability.
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Reproduction
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Alcohol consumption in excess can lead to erectile dysfunction and irregular menstruation. Both men and women can have long term effects of reduced fertility if alcohol is drank in excess. Alcohol can further increase the chances of a miscarriage, still birth and lead to FASD.
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Central
nervous system |
Drinking alcohol in excess can lead to vitamin B1 deficiency which can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome leads to confusion, memory problems and learning problems.
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Cardiovascular
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Excessive alcohol is known to cause cardiovascular diseases and can cause high blood pressure, blood clots, stroke and can even lead to a heart attack.
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Effects of underage drinking
The risks of motor accidents are much higher in underage drinkers compared to adults as underage drinkers do not need to drink as much as adults to feel the effects of alcohol. In fact, in 1999, 40% of underage drinkers who drowned, burned or victims of falling had tested positively for alcohol. Furthermore, in 2000, alcohol has been involved with 36% of homicides, 12% in male suicides, 8% of female suicides in underage people. It was reported in 1999 that 45% of rapes, 37% of other assaults, 44% of robberies and 50% of violent crime sd related to alcohol abuse in underage individual’s.