Globally alcohol consumption causes 2.8 million premature deaths per year.
What is alcohol?
Alcoholic beverage, any fermented liquor, such as wine, beer, or distilled spirits, that contains ethyl alcohol, or ethanol (CH3CH2OH), as an intoxicating agent.
It is made from malt, corn, rice, and hops. Beers range in alcoholic content from about 2 percent to about 8 percent. Wine is made by fermenting the juices of grapes or other fruits such as apples (cider), cherries, berries, or plums.
In the ingestion of an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) because it does not undergo any digestive processes; thus, alcohol rises to high levels in the blood in a relatively short time. From the blood the alcohol is distributed to all parts of the body and has an especially pronounced effect on the brain, on which it exerts a depressant action.
Under the influence of alcohol, the functions of the brain –
are depressed in a characteristic pattern. The most complex actions of the brain—judgment, self-criticism, the inhibitions learned from earliest childhood—are depressed first, and the loss of this control results in a feeling of excitement in the early stages.
For this reason, it is sometimes thought of, erroneously, as a stimulant. Under the influence of increasing amounts of alcohol, the drinker gradually becomes less alert, awareness of his environment becomes dim and hazy, muscular coordination deteriorates, and sleep is facilitated.
Alcohol has historically, and continues to, hold an important role in social engagement and bonding for many. Social drinking or moderate alcohol consumption for many is pleasurable.
However, alcohol consumption – especially in excess – is linked to a number of negative outcomes: as a risk factor for diseases and health impacts; crime; road incidents; and for some, alcohol dependence.
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Dangers of Alcohol Consumption
It’s not just excessive drinking that may lead to health risks. Casual alcohol consumption, even within the recommended limits, can be a cause for concern.
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption on the Body
- Lowered inhibitions, leading to poor social judgment.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Loss of coordination.
- Loss of critical judgements.
- Dulled perception, especially vision.
- Mood swings.
- Reduced core body temperature.
- Raised blood pressure.
- Passing out.
- Vomiting.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption on the Body
- Diminished gray matter and white matter in the brain.
- Memory loss.
- Loss of attention span.
- Trouble learning.
- Alcoholic hepatitis.
- Liver fibrosis.Steatosis (i.e., fatty liver disease).
- Throat, mouth, larynx, breast, liver, colorectal, or esophageal cancer.
- High blood pressure.
- Cardiomyopathy.
- Stroke.
- Irregular heartbeat.
Psychological Effects of Alcohol Consumption
When it comes to the brain, alcohol acts as a depressant to the CNS. However, it can have inconsistent effects, exciting users under some conditions and sedating users under other conditions.
Excitement, typically at lower doses, may be due to alcohol suppressing the inhibitory parts of the brain. Functions such as breathing, speech, thought, memory, and movement can be impacted by consuming alcohol. Mental effects may include mood changes, decreased inhibitions, relaxation, impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, difficulty remembering, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Chronic use of alcohol can also lead to changes in the brain.
Excessive alcohol use, even if not chronic, can lead to alcohol-induced psychiatric syndromes, such as alcohol-induced depressive disorder, alcohol-induced bipolar disorder, alcohol-induced sleep disorder, alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, and more. These disorders are temporary and can occur after significant intoxication and/or withdrawal.
Alcohol use disorder is also linked to several mental illnesses which can develop separately from the disorder and may even predate it, such as major depression, some anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others.
These disorders may increase the likelihood of alcohol-related issues, possibly due, in part, to using alcohol as a self-medicating substance. There also may be common underlying risk factors that increase the likelihood of both substances use disorders and mental illnesses.
