Alcohol is known to have a strong effect on people and used by many to socialize, celebrate and relax. Too much alcohol consumption can lead to many adverse effects and health consequences.

HEALTH EFFECTS

Short-term:

• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Breathing difficulties
• Distorted vision and hearing
• Impaired judgment
• Decreased perception and coordination
• Unconsciousness
• Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while drinking)

Long-Term:

• Damage to the Heart
  • Heart-related issues include cardiomyopathy (stretching and drooping of heart muscle), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), stroke and high blood pressure
• Liver Inflammation
  • Includes steatosis, or fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis
• Brain Communication Interference
  • Disruptions can lead to a change in mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.
• Poisoning
  • Intake of a fatal dose of alcohol will lead someone to stop breathing. This is because with alcohol control of involuntary actions such as breathing and gag reflex is lost. Even with survival irreversible brain damage can occur.
  • Signs include:
    • mental confusion
    • coma
    • vomiting
    • seizures
    • slow (fewer than eight breaths per minute) or irregular (10 seconds or more between breaths) breathing
    • hypothermia (low body temperature
    • bluish skin color and paleness.

Treatment Options

• Detox
• Behavioral Therapies