The Dangers of Alcohol Consumption

Here are some of the obvious effects of alcohol:

• Slurred speech
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty walking
• Slow reaction times
• Memory loss
• Personality changes

Listed below are some of the social effects that result from the use of alcohol:

• Arrest for public intoxication
• Arrest for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
• Late for work
• Hangovers
• Loss of job as a result of being late or drunk on the job
• Problems with relationships
• Divorce

If one continues to drink alcohol on a regular basis, they may develop a dependency on alcohol.  Many doctors and researchers have opinions on how one may become addicted to alcohol.  Some say that it is genetic. This means that having alcoholic parents could increase your chances of becoming an alcoholic.   Regardless of whether or not you are addicted to alcohol, drinking on a regular basis has extreme effects on your body.  The following list contains some physical health effects caused by the extreme use of alcohol:

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Heart disease
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Neurological disorders
• Pancreatitis
• Alcoholic dementia

These are not uncommon effects, so if you feel you may have a problem with alcohol, you might want to consider getting some help.  Quitting is not easy. It is certainly not recommended that you quit “cold turkey” on your own, especially if your drinking has increased to a level of dependency. The side effects of quitting can be very painful, and in some situations, deadly.  This is called alcohol withdrawal. The following are some of examples:

• Shaking
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Death