Effects on the body
Short and long term effects
The immediate effects of drinking alcohol are a loss of coordination, slower reflexes and very poor judgment – the cause of so many accidents. It can also lead to memory lapses, and total blackouts; have you ever lost an hour or two on a heavy night out?
One reason why people enjoy a drink is that it makes them feel uninhibited and more self confident. However the down side of this is that they are more likely to take risks and do things they may later regret. For instance unsafe sex under the influence of alcohol is a major cause of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
Alcohol is also a diuretic which means it leads to dehydration. This is why you get a hangover after a heavy night drinking. It is always a good idea to drink water whilst drinking alcohol.
In the longer term regularly drinking too much alcohol can harm your body in many ways and can damage virtually every organ. It is absorbed straight into your bloodstream and increases your risk of life threatening conditions including cancer and diseases of the heart and liver. The more you drink the greater the risk.
Alcohol is also strongly associated with depression and anxiety. You may think a drink is good for your mood when you are depressed but in reality it is very likely to make you feel worse.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant you shouldn’t drink alcohol at all. Alcohol can be very damaging to the developing foetus, especially in early pregnancy. (For more information go to:
http://www.nhs.uk/planners/pregnancycareplanner/pages/
alcoholanddrugs.aspx)
Even when the baby is born, a woman who is breastfeeding needs to be mindful that any alcohol in her bloodstream will also be in her breastmilk. Women are advised to avoid breastfeeding for 2 to 3 hours after drinking alcohol. (For more information go to: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/958.aspx )
Cutting down for your health
Drinking within the recommended limits means that your risk of harm will remain low. But if you can’t manage that, then any reduction in the amount you drink will reduce the risk of any harm.
If you have any physical symptoms or are just concerned about your health because of how much you drink you should make an appointment to see your GP.
If you want more information about how alcohol affects health please visit: http://www.drinking.nhs.uk
