Drug effects

Alcohol

alcohol

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, although in smaller amounts it may appear to have a mild stimulant effect. The main psychoactive ingredient in alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol, produced through the fermentation of sugar by yeast. Alcoholic drinks vary in strength

The effects of alcohol vary depending on a number of factors including:

type and quantity of alcohol consumed
age, weight and gender
body chemistry
food in the stomach
drinking experience
situation in which drinking occurs

Short term effects

When a person drinks alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream, and goes to all the tissues. The disinhibiting effect of alcohol is one of the main reasons it is used in so many social situations. Other effects of moderate alcohol intake include dizziness and talkativeness; the immediate effects of a larger amount of alcohol include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol, even at low doses, significantly impairs the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic violence and child abuse. Hangovers are another possible effect after large amounts of alcohol are consumed; a hangover consists of headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness, and fatigue.

Long-term effects

effects

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is probably the most widely recognized medical complication of chronic alcoholism.17 It is a grave and irreversible condition characterized by a progressive replacement of healthy liver tissue with scars, which can lead to liver failure and death.

Changes in physical appearance

Alcoholic drinks contain lots and lots of calories so weight gain among people who don't drink sensibly is common. Alcohol affects the circulation by expanding blood vessels. This causes thread veins, often on the face, and purple, bulbous 'drinkers nose'. Heavy drinkers usually don't eat properly and too much alcohol stops the body absorbing the nutrients it needs. This leads to poor skin and brittle hair and nails.

Diabetes

Regular heavy drinkers are often overweight and, as with all overweight people, can go on to develop diabetes. Though manageable, people with diabetes don't live as long and have to eat restricted diets and take medicines daily or inject themselves with insulin.

Cancer

After smoking, drinking alcohol is the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat. Drinking and smoking together carries the highest risk of all. People who develop cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by too much drink) can develop liver cancer. Women who drink more than three drinks a day increase their risk of breast cancer.

Pancreatitis

Long-term heavy drinkers can develop this painful condition. The pancreas makes insulin and other substances needed to properly digest food. If left untreated, pancreatitis causes malnutrition and can lead to diabetes.