Short-term effects

Even at low concentrations, alcohol can stimulate areas of the brain. The areas that get stimulated include the cortex, hippocamus and nucleus accumbens. These are responsible for the processes of thinking and pleasure seeking. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed by the stomach, especially if it is empty, and quickly enters the individual's blood stream, thus penetrating all the tissues. A variety of factors influence its effects, including age, sex , size and weight of the person consuming alcohol.

Since it stimulates the pleasure seeking areas of the brain, alcohol tends to make people shed their inhibitions in social situations. They tend to be more enthusiastic in their speech and movements. Other effects of moderate consumption are body relaxation, dizziness and talkativeness. When taken in slightly larger quantities, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting and interrupted sleep can occur. Individuals may begin to display aggressive behavior, commit domestic violence and indulge in child abuse. A person who may have consumed even low quantities of alcohol, should be prevented from driving, as it significantly impairs the coordination and judgment required to drive a car.

A hangover is another effect of moderate to large quantities of alcohol intake. Headache, nausea, thirst, fatigue and dizziness are felt by an individual who is suffering from a hangover.

Long-term effects

Heavy intake of alcohol, over a long period of time, can lead to alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism. If an alcoholic suddenly stops consuming

alcohol, severe withdrawal symptoms such as intense anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions will occur. Alcoholics tend to ignore their nutrition. Alcoholism, coupled with inferior nutrition, can lead to very severe or even permanent damage to vital organs of the body including the brain and liver. Women who consume alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to babies with fetal alcohol syndrome. They may be mentally retarded and/or suffer from physical abnormalities that are irreversible. Moreover, genetic factors are known to raise an individual's risk of becoming an alcoholic. Hence, the children of mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy are more likely to become alcoholics later on in life.

Other long term effects include inflammation of the pancreas, coronary heart disease, damage to the nerves, or neuropathy, brain degeneration, increased risk of a variety of cancers, liver cirrhosis and of course, damage to one's personal and professional life.

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