Long And Short Term Effects Of Alcohol

The long and short term effects of alcohol are significant. They can affect people differently depending on various factors such as age, gender, and weight. Long-term drinking habits can lead to life-threatening, physical health issues. Short-term effects generally occur during a night of drinking either moderately or heavily. The choices made while under the influence don’t only affect the user’s body; they can also cause issues with the law, employment/school, and relationships.

For more information about alcohol, click here for the overview.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol

Slurred speech
Slowed reaction times and reflexes, poor motor coordination, blurred vision.
Lowered inhibitions, increased risk factor, lowered reasoning ability, impaired judgment.This may cause users to engage in criminal actsor behave in ways they never would while sober. The intoxicated person is at risk of either running into problems with the law, or becoming a victim of assault.
- Memory loss can contribute to this as well. Users may not remember whole evenings of drinking, or small snippets throughout the night.
Slow heart rate, breathing rate, reduced blood pressure
Heavy sweating, dehydration
Coma
Death: this can either be through respiratory arrest or asphyxiation caused by choking on vomit.

How can you get sober? Here is one article to help get you on the right path.

Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol

Heavy drinking can cause permanent damageto the user’s body and brain. Depending on the drinker’s age, gender, and duration/extent of the abuse, these physical damages may include:

Liver cancer, liver damage, and fatty liver
Cirrhosis: heavy scarring around the liver. This prevents blood flow and is usually fatal.
Alcoholic hepatitis: swelling of liver cells which usually causes blockage. This can be fatal.
Heart damage, high blood pressure, enlarged heart
Coronary disease: the narrowing of arteries which can lead to heart attack and death
Irregular heartbeat: Can lead to heart attack and death
Decreased blood flow to the arms and legs
Stroke: Blocked blood flow to the brain
Brain damage, destruction of brain cells, brain deterioration, atrophy
Mental disorders: increased aggression, antisocial behavior, depression, anxiety
Osteoporosis: Severe back pain, spine deformity, increased risk of fractures
Pancreas damage
Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas, causing abdominal pain, weight loss, and sometimes death
Cancer
Alcoholism increases a person’s chances of developing a variety of cancers of the pancreas, liver, breasts, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus.
Sexual problems:
- Reduced sperm count and mobility, as well as sperm abnormality
- Menstrual difficulties, irregular/absent cycles, and decreased fertility; early menopause
Drinking during pregnancy can cause permanent, severe damage, by putting the child at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Birth defects