Alcohol abuse causes more than just a buzz. It can also lead to interpersonal conflicts, serious short and long-term medical conditions and even death. While the specific effects will depend on the severity and frequency of the alcohol abuse, people should learn about the potential consequences before deciding if they are willing to take that risk.
Intoxication
Intoxication occurs whenever you consume alcohol in large amounts. Although individuals vary in their response to excess alcohol, Drugs.com names some common signs of intoxication: talkativeness, euphoria, slurred speech, lower inhibitions, dizziness, confusion, impairment of motor skills, short-term memory loss and a reduced attention span.
Alcohol Poisoning
The more excessive the abuse of alcohol, the more serious the symptoms can be, leading beyond intoxication to a condition called alcohol poisoning, which according to Drugs.com can lead to stupor, coma, respiratory paralysis and death.
Long-term Health Complications
Long-term heavy drinking can lead to a number of health complications. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that more than two million people suffer from liver diseases caused by alcohol abuse. Some of these liver diseases include alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis is reversible once the abuse of alcohol stops, but alcoholic cirrhosis is a serious condition that is not reversible. Even so, the chances of survival for those with alcoholic cirrhosis will improve considerably if drinking is stopped, explains SAMHSA.
Long-term alcohol abuse also puts strain on the heart and may cause high blood pressure, strokes and heart disease. It also increases the risk of developing various forms of cancer, including cancer of the colon, rectum, esophagus, mouth, throat and voice box. Inflammation of the pancreas, a condition called pancreatitis, can also result from long-term drinking.
Personal Effects
The abuse of alcohol throughout the years can damage a person's relationship, career, finances and quality of life, explains the NIAAA. Those who abuse alcohol frequently get into arguments with loved ones over their alcohol use, may experience a decline in performance at work or school and may experience legal repercussions from their drinking, because of drunk driving or public intoxication.
Withdrawal
Those who abuse alcohol often experience additional unwelcome physical symptoms when stopping their alcohol use. These withdrawal side effects can be mild for some people, but for others, they can be severe and potentially dangerous. Medline Plus lists effects such as sweating, pallor, clammy skin, headaches, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, rapid heart beat, shakiness, hand tremors, dilated pupils, involuntary movement of the eyelids, insomnia and fatigue as common effects of alcohol withdrawal.
Although these symptoms can be troubling, they are generally mild and not dangerous. However, a serious medical condition called delirium tremens can develop when a person suddenly stops using alcohol. The symptoms of delirium tremens include high fever, seizures, hallucination, and a dangerous increase of heart rate and blood pressure. Because of this, anyone experiencing delirium temens needs to seek medical treatment immediately.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Sometimes the person drinking the alcohol is not the only one affected. Pregnant women who drink alcohol put their unborn babies at risk of developing fetal alcohol syndrome. The University of Michigan Health Care Systems states that while the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome on a child can range from mild to severe, all effects have the potential to last a lifetime. Some of these possible effects include odd facial features, growth problems, mental retardation, learning and behavior problems and birth defects. Alcohol abuse during pregnancy may also lead to miscarriage, preterm labor and stillbirth.
