| |
Acute
Effects
(while under the influence) |
Short
Term Effects
(up to 72 hours following heavy use) |
Long
Term Effects
(one or more years of heavy use) |
|
Brain
^Top |
Cognitive abilities
are affected by even small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol affects many
parts of the brain, but the most vulnerable cells are those associated
with memory, attention, sleep, coordination, and judgment.
Memory: Alcohol impairs memory by inhibiting
the transfer and consolidation of information in long-term memory—so
alcohol reduces our ability to remember information that we learned
prior to going out for drinks.
.Attention: xxxxxx
Coordination: xxxxxx
Sleep: Even in small doses, alcohol inhibits
REM sleep. When REM sleep is suppressed we may feel tired when we
wake up.
Judgment: You are more likely to engage in
“regrettable sex”— sexual encounters which you later regret—when
under the influence. In addition, you are less likely to engage
in “safe-sex,” increasing your risk of contracting STD's, including
HIV. |
Cognitive abilities
are affected for a substantial period of time after the acute effects
of alcohol impairment disappear. In addition to cognitive impairments,
consumption of alcohol and the resulting recovery period (i.e., hang-over)
wastes time that might be better spent studying or having fun. Have
you ever tried to study or even watch TV with a hangover?
The
bottom line—good time management, in both the academic and social
realm will enhance your chances of success. |
With long-term use
alcohol may damage the connection between nerve cells and cause irreversible
brain damage, including memory loss and personality changes. |
| |
Acute
Effects
(while under the influence) |
Short
Term Effects
(up to 72 hours following heavy use) |
Long
Term Effects
(one or more years of heavy use) |
| Nervous
System |
Adulteration and even
death of both brain cells and those cells that support brain cells
by providing energy and nutrients. |
|
|
|
Reproductive
System
^Top |
Alcohol can have
a deleterious effect on your love life. While a few drinks
might temporarily dull inhibitions and anxiety about sexual activity,
larger doses (BACs > .06) will lead to loss of sensation, inability
to reach orgasm, and temporary impotence. At blood levels between
.05 and .10, alcohol retards sexual arousal, at levels above .10,
orgasm is inhibited, and levels above .15 can cause temporary impotence.
Alcohol also impairs motor coordination, causing
you to look uncoordinated or clumsy. Alcohol
can make you “run” at the mouth, which can cause you to say things,
which are inappropriate or bore your potential partner. |
|
Heavy alcohol use
by men reduces testosterone levels, causing breast enlargement, testicular
shrinkage, and impotence. Among chronic
female drinkers, alcohol may cause menstrual irregularities, infertility,
and loss of sex drive |
| |
Acute
Effects
(while under the influence) |
Short
Term Effects
(up to 72 hours following heavy use) |
Long
Term Effects
(one or more years of heavy use) |
|
Immune
System |
|
Alcohol use impairs
the functioning of the immune system—weakening the body’s ability
to fight off infectious disease. In the short-term, this will increase
the number of colds you will experience. |
With long-term use,
alcohol can impede the functioning of immune cells, increasing your
susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancer. |
|
Gastrointestinal
System
^Top |
|
Alcohol
blocks the absorption of essential nutrients and contributes to
malnutrition among heavy drinkers. |
Long-term use
can cause ulcers of the stomach (gastric ulcers) and the first part
of the intestine (duodenal ulcers).
Alcohol is a known carcinogen, which contributes
to the development of cancers of the lip, oral cavity, esophagus,
larynx, stomach, and liver.
Additional effects on the liver include alcohol
dependent hepatitis, fatty liver cirrhosis, and panreatitis.
One study suggests that men who have three
or more drinks a day and women who have one and a half or more drinks
a day may be at increased risk for cirrhosis.
Those who drink and smoke have a greatly
increased risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat. |
| |
Acute
Effects
(while under the influence) |
Short
Term Effects
(up to 72 hours following heavy use) |
Long
Term Effects
(one or more years of heavy use) |
|
Circulatory
System |
Acute effects on
the circulatory system include decreased blood pressure, pulse and
respiration. |
|
With long-term
use alcohol can cause chronic high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy
(deterioration of the heart muscle) and other heart diseases.
As alcohol moves through the blood stream
it damages and kills hemoglobin cells which carry oxygen, and with
extended use may cause anemia. |
| Skeletal-Muscular
System |
|
|
Can reduce muscle
mass in heavy users. |
Alcohol's
Effects > Effects on the Brain and Body
