# data[].attributes.body
Short term effects of alcohol are:
vomiting, passing out, high blood pressure, mood swings,  blackouts, loss of coordination and more.
Long term effects of alcohol are:
Memory loss, strokes, loss of attention, liver fibrosis and more.
Psychological effects of alcohol:
Alcohol can have inconsistent effects such as memory loss, trouble of speech and trouble moving. Mental effects and emotional effects may be mood swings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 14.4 million Americans ages 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the past year. ¹ However, only an estimated 1.1 million Americans ages 12 and older with a diagnosable AUD in the past year received substance use treatment in the past year. ²

Regardless of whether you consider yourself a social drinker or have a diagnosed AUD, there are both short- and long-term physical and psychological consequences to over-drinking, including alcohol use disorder (alcoholism).

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol

Although a person may not be abusing alcohol regularly, they can still experience its short-term effects on the mind and body. The liver can metabolize about one standard drink of alcohol per hour. 3 However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, including the individual's age, weight, liver function, and gender. 9 Typically, consuming more than one beverage per hour can lead to intoxication, raising an individual's blood alcohol content (BAC) with each drink. ³

The effects of alcohol can range from mild, such as skin flushing, to more severe symptoms such as passing out or vomiting.

Other short-term effects of alcohol can include: 3,4,13

Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol

Drinking too much over time can cause chronic physical and mental health issues. Heavy drinking can cause or contribute to liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and multiple types of cancer. 5,7,13

Long-term effects of excessive drinking may include: 5,11,13,16

Diminished gray matter and white matter in the brain.

Memory loss.

Loss of attention span.

Trouble learning.

Alcoholic hepatitis.

Liver fibrosis.

Steatosis (i.e., fatty liver).

Throat, mouth, larynx, breast, liver, colorectal, or esophageal cancer.

High blood pressure

Cardiomyopathy

Stroke

Irregular heart beat

Alcohol Poisoning

Binge drinking is a dangerous practice that can cause physical harm. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) classifies binge drinking as a drinking pattern that leads to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 g/dL and above. ⁶ For adult women, that's typically around 4 drinks (5 for adult men) within a couple hours of each other. 6

Drinking too much can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Signs of alcohol poisoning include: ¹⁸

Confusion.

Nausea and vomiting.

Slowed or irregular breathing.

Cyanosis, or a blue-tinted skin.

Pale skin.

Low body temperature, or hypothermia.

Unconsciousness.

Seizures.

It is extremely important to call 911 if you feel a person is experiencing alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning can cause permanent brain damage and even death. A person's BAC can keep rising after they stop drinking and even after they pass out. ¹⁸

Effects of Alcohol Abuse on the Body

Chronic heavy drinking is associated with many serious health problems. ⁵ Below are some of the ways alcohol may affect the body:

Liver: One of the possible severe medical consequences of chronic alcohol abuse is liver disease. Over time, with consistent alcohol abuse, the liver may become inflamed and/or scarred. Conditions such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis may develop. A person may also develop liver cancer. 5,7,8

Digestive system: Alcohol can wear down the lining of the stomach and increase the production of stomach acid, which can contribute to ulcers. ²⁴ Alcohol may also alter nutrient breakdown, absorption, transportation, storage, and excretion, leading to nutrient deficiencies and/or trouble fully using nutrients. For example, thiamine deficiency is common and can lead to serious neurological issues. Alcohol can also impair blood sugar control. ¹⁰

Pancreas: Alcohol prompts pancreatic production of harmful substances, which can lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that impairs digestion. ⁵

Central nervous system (CNS): Thiamine, or vitamin B1, deficiency associated with chronic heavy drinking can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Symptoms may include confusion, impaired coordination, learning problems, and memory difficulties. Liver disease can also harm the brain, resulting in symptoms such as sleep changes, alterations in mood, personality changes, depression, anxiety, impaired concentration, and incoordination. Too much alcohol may also hinder new brain cell growth. ¹⁶

Cardiovascular (CV) health: Drinking alcohol has complicated impacts on cardiovascular health. In 2016, alcohol-related CV diseases caused an estimated 593,000 deaths globally. ¹² Consuming too much alcohol is linked to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, trouble pumping blood through the body, blood clots, stroke, cardiomyopathy (sagging, stretched heart muscle), or heart attack. 5,13 Excessive alcohol use, both directly and through malnutrition, can also lead to anemia. ¹⁹

Reproductive health: Consuming too much alcohol can lead to reproductive problems, including erectile dysfunction and irregular menstruation. ²⁰ Both men and women may have reduced fertility with long-term, heavy drinking. ²¹ Women who drink while pregnant are at increased risk for miscarriage, stillbirth, or having a child with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). ¹⁴

Bones: Alcohol abuse can cause a calcium imbalance in the body, which is an important nutrient to maintain healthy bones. Consuming too much alcohol can also cause a disruption to the production of vitamin D, which is needed for calcium absorption. Lack of calcium increases the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fractures, which can cause serious pain and disability. ¹⁵

Psychological Effects of Alcohol

When it comes to the brain, alcohol acts as a depressant to the CNS. However, it can have inconsistent effects, exciting users under some conditions and sedating users under other conditions. Excitement, typically at lower doses, may be due to alcohol suppressing the inhibitory parts of the brain. Functions such as breathing, speech, thought, memory, and movement can be impacted by consuming alcohol. Mental effects may include mood changes, decreased inhibitions, relaxation, impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, difficulty remembering, confusion, and loss of consciousness. 3 Chronic use of alcohol can lead to changes in the brain, as described in previous sections.

Excessive alcohol use, even if not chronic, can lead to alcohol-induced psychiatric syndromes, such as alcohol-induced depressive disorder, alcohol-induced bipolar disorder, alcohol-induced sleep disorder, alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, and more. 17,22 These disorders are temporary and can occur after significant intoxication and/or withdrawal. ²²

Alcohol use disorder is also linked to several mental illnesses which can develop separately from the disorder and may even predate it, such as major depression, some anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others. ¹⁷ These disorders may increase the likelihood of alcohol-related issues, possibly due, in part, to using alcohol as a self-medicating substance. 17,23 There also may be common underlying risk factors that increase the likelihood of both substance use disorders and mental illnesses. ²³

Finding Treatment for Alcoholism

Alcohol use disorders, or alcoholism, occur on a spectrum, and each person is unique. If you or someone you know is ready to discuss treatment, our admissions navigators are available 24/7 to speak with you today at 1-888-685-5770 . The type of treatment that will be most suitable for you will likely be influenced by your alcohol history, other substance use history, previous attempts at treatment, any co-occurring medical and/or mental health conditions, and your current situation.

For further information on treatment during the pandemic, we've put together a guide that answers some of our most frequently asked questions:

Treatment during COVID-19: What You Need to Know

As the leader in addiction treatment American Addiction Centers specializes in helping people recover from alcohol addiction. If you are looking for more information about alcohol addiction, find some useful information for those seeking guidance; or you can learn more about insurance coverage and instantly verify insurance with an AAC facility:

More Articles on the Effects of Alcohol

[1]. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2017). The National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

[2]. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2017). Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables.

[3]. Mark Keller, George E. Vaillant. (2018). Alcohol consumption. Encyclopedia Britannica.

[4]. Dubowski, Kurt. ResearchGate. (2019). Stages of acute alcoholic influence/intoxication blood alcohol concentration grams/100 ml stage of alcoholic influence clinical signs/symptoms.

[5]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA). (n.d.). Alcohol's Effects on the Body.

[6]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA). (2019). Drinking Levels Defined.

[7]. MedlinePlus. (2019). Alcoholic liver disease.

[8]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Liver Cancer.

[9]. Better Health Channel. (2012). Know The Facts.

[10]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (1993). Alcohol and Nutrition. Alcohol Alert. No. 22(346).

[11]. Pfefferbaum, A., Sullivan, E. V., Mathalon, D. H., Shear, P. K., Rosenbloom, M. J., & Lim, K. O. (1995). Longitudinal changes in magnetic resonance imaging brain volumes in abstinent and relapsed alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 19(5), 1177-1191.

[12]. World Health Organization. (2018). Global status report on alcohol and health 2018.

[13]. Piano MR. (2017). Alcohol's Effects on the Cardiovascular System. Alcohol Res. 38(2):219-241.

[14]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018). Alcohol Use in Pregnancy.

[15]. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2018). What People Recovering From Alcoholism Need To Know About Osteoporosis.

[16]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2004). Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Brain. Alcohol Alert. No. 63.

[17]. Ramesh Shivani, M.D., R. Jeffrey Goldsmith, M.D., and Robert M. Anthenelli, M.D. (2002). Alcoholism and Psychiatric Disorders. Alcohol Research & Health. 26(2): 90-98.

[18]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA). (2018). Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose.

[19]. Ballard, H. S. (1997). The hematological complications of alcoholism. Alcohol health and research world, 21, 42-52.

[20]. Mayo Clinic. (2018). Alcohol Use Disorder.

[21]. Van Heertum, K., & Rossi, B. (2017). Alcohol and fertility: how much is too much?. Fertility research and practice, 3(1), 10.

[22]. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).

[23]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). (2018). Comorbidity: Substance Use Disorders and Other Mental Illnesses.

[24]. MedlinePlus. (2016). Peptic ulcer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Effects of Alcohol on the Body & Mind | Short & Long-Term

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 14.4 million Americans ages 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the past year. 1 However, only an estimated 1.1 million Americans ages 12 and older with a diagnosable AUD in the past year received substance use treatment in the past year.

# data[].attributes.body
Alcohol can cause anxiety, nausea, tremors,  heavy sweating, irregular heartbeats.
The more you drink the more damage you do to the digestive system. An example is that alcohol can prevent your body from digesting food and absorbing certain vitamins.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Alcohol's impact on your body starts from the moment you take your first sip. While an occasional glass of wine with dinner isn't a cause for concern, the cumulative effects of drinking wine, beer, or spirits can take its toll.

Read on to learn the effects of alcohol on your body.

Share on Pinterest

A glass a day may do little damage to your overall health. But if the habit grows or if you find yourself having a hard time stopping after just one glass, the cumulative effects can add up.

Digestive and endocrine glands

Drinking too much alcohol can cause abnormal activation of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. Buildup of these enzymes can lead to inflammation known as pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can become a long-term condition and cause serious complications.

Inflammatory damage

The liver is an organ which helps break down and remove harmful substances from your body, including alcohol. Long-term alcohol use interferes with this process. It also increases your risk for chronic liver inflammation and liver disease. The scarring caused by this inflammation is known as cirrhosis. The formation of scar tissue destroys the liver. As the liver becomes increasingly damaged, it has a harder time removing toxic substances from your body.
Learn more about alcohol-related liver disease "
Liver disease is life-threatening and leads to toxins and waste buildup in your body. Women are at higher risk for developing alcoholic liver disease. Women's bodies are more likely to absorb more alcohol and need longer periods of time to process it. Women also show liver damage more quickly than men.

Sugar levels

The pancreas helps regulate your body's insulin use and response to glucose. When your pancreas and liver aren't functioning properly, you run the risk of experiencing low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. A damaged pancreas may also prevent the body from producing enough insulin to utilize sugar. This can lead to hyperglycemia, or too much sugar in the blood.

If your body can't manage and balance your blood sugar levels, you may experience greater complications and side effects related to diabetes. It's important for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia to avoid excessive amounts of alcohol.

Central nervous system

One of the easiest ways to understand alcohol's impact on your body is by understanding how it affects your central nervous system. Slurred speech is one of the first signs you've had too much to drink. Alcohol can reduce communication between your brain and your body. This makes coordination more difficult. You may have a hard time balancing. You should never drive after drinking.

As alcohol causes more damage to your central nervous system, you may experience numbness and tingling sensations in your feet and hands.

Drinking also makes it difficult for your brain to create long-term memories. It also reduces your ability to think clearly and make rational choices. Over time, frontal lobe damage can occur. This area of the brain is responsible for emotional control, short-term memory, and judgement, in addition to other vital roles.

Chronic and severe alcohol abuse can also cause permanent brain damage. This can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a brain disorder that affects memory.

Dependency

Some people who drink heavily may develop a physical and emotional dependency on alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal can be difficult and life-threatening. You often need professional help to break an alcohol addiction. As a result, many people seek medical detoxification to get sober. It's the safest way to ensure you break the physical addiction. Depending on the risk for withdrawal symptoms, detoxification can be managed on either an outpatient or inpatient basis.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

Seizures, hallucinations, and delirium may occur in severe cases of withdrawal.

Digestive system

The connection between alcohol consumption and your digestive system might not seem immediately clear. The side effects often only appear after there has been damage. And the more you drink, the greater the damage will become.

Drinking can damage the tissues in your digestive tract and prevent your intestines from digesting food and absorbing nutrients and vitamins. As a result, malnutrition may occur.

Heavy drinking can also lead to:

For people who drink heavily, ulcers or hemorrhoids (due to dehydration and constipation) aren't uncommon. And they may cause dangerous internal bleeding. Ulcers can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early.

People who consume too much alcohol may also be at risk for cancer. People who drink frequently are more likely to develop cancer in the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, or liver. People who regularly drink and use tobacco together have an even greater cancer risk.

Circulatory system

Alcohol can affect your heart and lungs. People who are chronic drinkers of alcohol have a higher risk of heart-related issues than people who do not drink. Women who drink are more likely to develop heart disease than men who drink.

Circulatory system complications include:

Difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals from food can cause anemia. This is a condition where you have a low red blood cell count. One of the biggest symptoms of anemia is fatigue.

Sexual and reproductive health

You may think drinking alcohol can lower your inhibitions and help you have more fun in bed. But the reality is quite different. Men who drink too much are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. Heavy drinking can also prevent sex hormone production and lower your libido.

Women who drink too much may stop menstruating. That puts them at a greater risk for infertility. Women who drink heavily during pregnancy have a higher risk of premature delivery, miscarriage, or stillbirth.

Women who drink alcohol while pregnant put their unborn child at risk. Fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD) is a serious concern. Other conditions include:

learning difficulties

long-term health issues

increased emotional problems

physical development abnormalities

Skeletal and muscle systems

Long-term alcohol use may prevent your body from keeping your bones strong. This habit may cause thinner bones and increase your risk for fractures if you fall. And factures may heal more slowly.

Drinking alcohol may also lead to muscle weakness, cramping, and eventually atrophy.

Immune system

Drinking heavily reduces your body's natural immune system. This makes it more difficult for your body to fight off invading germs and viruses.

People who drink heavily over a long period of time are also more likely to develop pneumonia or tuberculosis than the general population. About of all tuberculosis cases worldwide can be tied to alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol also increases your risk for several types of cancer, including mouth, breast, and colon. Click here to learn the basics of alcoholism. You can also read about the stages of alcoholism and recognizing an addiction.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What happens to your body after you take your first sip of alcohol? Learn about the effects of your drinking habits on your body. One drink a day may not have a huge effect, but over time habitual drinking can have side effects including inflammatory damage and damage to your central nervous system.

# data[].attributes.body
You have not completed your work from last week. This work is the basis for your summative assessment presented in todays lesson. I do suggest you find some time to provide well research short, long term consequences that focus on physical, social and emotional

# data[].attributes.body
Can you enable comments on your settings please?
Your scenario doesn't seem to match the establish criteria. Is the criteria of the party safety or fun and/or both
Consider all the alternatives - research widely (psychology) and make links

# data[].attributes.body
Everyone might be drunk and you have no one to talk to.
You get lost and don't see anyone,
(Stick to someone all the time and get bored??)

# data[].attributes.body
If it is a party that isn't from people of the school always tick to someone and go with them to search around to socialize.
If it is a school party and you know. the people you can go alone and look for someone you might recognize and talk to them.

# data[].attributes.body
If you don't want to leave go talk to someone who isn't drunk and might be as bored as you (to pass time until you have to leave)

# data[].attributes.body
1) Leave the party.
2) Find someone who is bored as well and go talk to them.
3) Go dance, to the pool, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
I want to be safe at all costs and have a good time and the best way to do stay safe is by not having a drink but the best way ti have fun is by having a drink and letting myself go for a night.
I want to avoid harming myself or others and I want to keep myself safe.

# data[].attributes.headline
Define the problem: Your reaction towards the alcohol

# data[].attributes.subject
Define the problem: Your reaction towards the alcohol

# data[].attributes.body
Your friends should stop you from having your first drink at a party since 1) You've never tried alcohol you don't know how your reaction towards the drink will be.
2) We also don't know how much this person can drink without passing their limit.
3) It depends if you trust the people you are with and if you think they will take her of you if you pass your limit.
4) A party is a dangerous place to try your first drink since you might not know everyone there and some people can take advantage of you if you. don't take care of yourself.

# data[].attributes.headline
Scenario: I am bored at a party and everyone else seems to be having fun. Should I have my FIRST drink?

# data[].attributes.subject
Scenario: I am bored at a party and everyone else seems to be having fun. Should I have my FIRST drink?