What are Common Alcohol Side Effects? Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

Alcohol may cause visible effects after just one or two drinks. Beyond the short-term effects, long-term heavy alcohol use can seriously affect your physical health and lifestyle.

Alcohol is one of the most common substances in America, withalmost 55%of American adults drinking in any given month. As such, it is important to be aware of the impactalcohol addictionhas on the body and brain. This impact involves bothshort and long-term effects, which can vary. The short-term effects of even casual drinking often set in quickly. The long-term effects of heavy drinking can take a serious toll on your physical and mental health.

Immediate Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol can quickly cause various effects in the body as it is absorbed into your bloodstream and broken down by your liver. The amount of alcohol that it can take to be buzzed or drunk canvary based on different factors. These include:

• Sex:Women can reach a blood alcohol level of 0.08% afterfour drinks within two hours, while it can take a man five drinks to reach the same blood alcohol level in the same timeframe.
• Weight:A heavier person may take longer to feel the effects of alcohol than a smaller person.
• Age:A younger person may be less sensitive to alcohol than an older adult.
• Underlying health conditions:Your overall health and medical conditions, especially involving your liver, can impact how long it takes your body to break down alcohol.
• Alcohol tolerance:A person whose liver has adapted to drinking has increased the rate at which alcohol is broken down in the body. They may be able to drink more than a person who is not used to drinking.

Some people may have other, rarer reactions to alcohol. For example, some people have a genetic condition in which they suffer from acute alcohol sensitivity, often getting a stuffy nose and flushed skin soon after drinking. Thisrare genetic conditionis most likely to affect those of Asian descent.

Immediate Effects on the Body

Drinking can have a variety of immediate effects on the body. Theseeffects vary depending on the level of intoxication. Though side effects from small amounts are often not dangerous, the more you drink, the more likely it is for dangerous effects to occur.

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Low amounts of alcoholcan cause physical effects like:

• Impaired reflexes
• Slowed reaction time
• Problems with coordination

Amoderate amount of alcoholcan intensify physical effects, causing:

• Slurred speech
• Changes in vision
• Sleepiness
• Increased urination
• Flushed skin orskin reactions like rashes, redness or itching

Heavy amounts of alcoholcan have the most dramatic — and dangerous — physical impact. The effects of high quantities of alcohol include:

• Vomiting
• Problems controlling your bowels and bladder
• Breathing problems
• Passing out
• Coma
• Death

Alcohol Poisoning

Heavy drinking can easily lead to an alcohol overdose, also known asalcohol poisoning. Poisoning typically occurs at a BAC of 0.45 or higher.

Unfortunately, deaths from alcohol poisoning are common in heavy drinkers, so it’s important you look forthese overdose symptomsin yourself or a loved one:

• Slow or irregular breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute, or ten seconds or more between breaths)
• Slow heart rate
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness
• Dulled response to stimuli
• Low body temperature
• Blue skin color, especially in the lips or face
• Clammy skin
• Vomiting
• Seizures

Alcohol poisoningcan be fatal. If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call911immediately. Do NOT be afraid to seek help.If you do not have access to a phone contactWeb Poison Control Servicesfor online assistance.

Immediate Psychological Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol impacts not only the body but also the brain, causing multiplepsychological effects. Many of alcohol’s psychological side effects are because alcohol is acentral nervous system depressant. In other words, alcohol slows down the brain and its function. This can lead to psychological effects like:

• Relaxation
• Lowered inhibitions
• Problems concentrating
• Changes in mood

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Long-term alcohol use can have a serious impact on the brain and body. This is especially true with heavy drinking habits. In general, the more heavily a person drinks over the long term, the greater the risk to their overall health. For this reason, experts recommend limiting yourself to two drinks per day if you are a man and to one drink a day if you are a woman.

Over the long-term, heavy drinking can cause serious physical complications like:

• Damage to brain cells, lowering brain mass
• Liver damage
• Stomach and intestinal ulcers
• High blood pressure
• Decrease in male sperm production
• Low levels of vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin B
• A higher risk of alcoholism
• A higher risk of some cancers

In fact, a recent study by The Recovery Villagefound heavy drinkers were 48% more likely to report having cancer than those who didn’t drink heavily. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can also cause serious psychological issues like alcohol psychosis.

Social Side Effects of Alcohol

As alcohol takes on an increasingly important role in a person’s life, they may be quick to let go of other activities or hobbies they once enjoyed. Someone who used to love spending their free time playing music or hanging out with friends may now be at a bar instead.

Alcohol Addiction Intervention

If you or a loved one live with alcoholism or are struggling to quit using alcohol, consider seeking professional help. The Recovery Village specializes in treating alcohol addiction and helping people recover from alcoholism.Contactone of our caring representatives to learn how The Recovery Village Drug andAlcohol Rehabcan help you or a loved one start on the path to a healthier future.