Alcohol Use and Your Health
Drinking alcohol beyond low-risk levels can seriously affect many different areas of your health and wellbeing, even if you never become addicted to alcohol. The impact of alcohol’s effect on judgment, behaviour, attitude and reflexes can range from embarrassment, to unwanted or high-risk sexual contact, to violence, injury or death. Alcohol is involved in more regrettable moments, crimes and traffic fatalities than all other drugs of abuse combined.
Video: The science (and dangers) of Alcohol
Short-term effects of alcohol
Health effects of short-term heavy/binge drinking include:
- intoxication
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- slurred speech
- reduced inhibition
- loss of coordination skills
- inability to think and judge clearly
- inability to estimate distances
- decreased reaction times
- confusion or memory loss
- blackouts
- negative mood states (depression)
- violence
- suicide
- vomiting and choking
- irregular heart beat
- respiratory depression, coma, or death
Long-term effects of alcohol
Health effects of long-term problematic alcohol use include:
- brain damage (dementia, difficulties with coordination, and motor control)
- depression
- increased risk of suicide
- increased risk of high blood pressure
- increased risk of stroke
- increased risk of heart disease
- liver damage
- stomach ulcers
- blood vessel disorders
- impotency in men
- menstrual irregularities in women
- some types of cancer
- addiction
- death
Long-term problematic alcohol use can also lead to professional, personal, financial, and legal problems, any of which can affect your health.
Alcohol poisioning
Alcohol poisoning, caused by too much alcohol, is extremely dangerous and can cause coma and death.
Signs include:
- disorientation or confusion
- passing out, not being able to be woken up
- slow, irregular breathing
- bluish or pale, cold, clammy skin
- slowed heart rate
- vomiting while passed out.
What do I do?
When someone is passed out from alcohol poisoning:
- gently roll the person on his or her side, tilting the head back and tucking the top hand under the chin to keep the mouth open and the airway clear. This helps to reduce the risk of choking if the person vomits. Bend the person’s top leg and bottom arm to support this position
- do not leave the person alone
- call 911 if you cannot wake the person, especially if he or she is vomiting or has vomited.
Hangover
Drinking heavily usually results in a “hangover,” beginning eight to 12 hours after the last drink. A hangover is caused in part by acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that is created as alcohol is processed by your liver. Other causes include dehydration and changes in hormone levels.
Symptoms of "hangover" can include:
- headache
- nausea
- diarrhea
- shakiness
- vomiting
Video: The Science of Hangovers
Source: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Government of Canada
