After about 10 minutes the effects of alcohol will start to become known to you as the alcohol enters your blood stream, one or two drinks is likely to make you feel relaxed or giddy; as you carry on drinking you will feel a whole host of affects as a consequence, misuse of alcohol affects relationships, damages both the individual and society as those using blame their actions on its usage for crimes committed, violence whilst under the influence, accidents and drink driving kills. The consequences for misusing alcohol can be short or long term for example:

 

Short Term affects include:

• Poor concentration, cognitive distortion, inability to act quickly

• Impairs judgment distorts perception, vision and hearing

• Drowsiness. lethargy, disorientation

• Deterioration of existing issues i.e. illness, upsets, work issues

• Lowers your inhibitions, past losses or emotional upsets burst up and out.

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach

• Loss of personal belongings i.e. handbag, wallets, house keys

• Accidents and injuries which may be serious enough to visit A & E

• Reckless or violent behaviour fighting, walking out into the road without looking

• Unprotected sex or having sex with strangers you have just met

• Sexually transmitted disease (STD)

• Alcohol poisoning which can lead to fits, falling unconscious and coma

• Losing the next day or even days due to hangover and recovering from its affect

• Headache, dehydration, tiredness, sleep disturbance.

 

Long term health effects include:

• Disrupts sleeping patterns which can lead to long-term insomnia which leads to stress, anxiety, high blood pressure.

• Liver damage

• Cancers i.e mouth, throat, stomach, liver, bowel

• High blood pressure and Stroke

• Heart disease, nerve damage

• Sexual issues, erectile dysfunction

• Depression

• Permanent damage to the brain

• Inflammation of the stomach walls (gastritis)

• Bleeding stomach, ulcers

• Reduces appetite and can lead to malnutrition

• Vitamin deficiency which can lead to disorders characterized by amnesia, disorientation, anemia, apathy, fatigue.

• Paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis

 

Mental Health issues, alcohol is a depressant, it impairs cognitive functioning, The Mental Health Foundation reports that 70% of men who take their own life drink before doing so and 65% of suicides have been linked to excessive drinking.

 

Since alcohol affects the brain, those parts which controls our judgment, behaviour and emotions if you binge drink you may be at greater risk of becoming a victim to domestic violence, rape, muggings, you may be easy prey for someone who wishes to assault another.  You may be at increased risk of injury and even death from accidents, trips slips and falls.  In the long term you may find yourself unemployed and unemployable due to poor work performance, constant absences which will lead to financial difficulties, housing issues and general social issues which will have a snowball effect not only on your health but the health of your relationships with family and friends and you may find yourself left alone with your habit because of the consequence you inflict on your loved ones.