Alcohol is the active constituent of alcoholic drinks such as beers, wines and spirits.

Any society where alcohol is freely consumed is invariably afflicted by the problems of acute alcohol intoxication, dependence and alcohol-related disorders.
It is also an important factor in road traffic and industrial accidents, domestic violence, child abuse, physical assault and many more.

You may think you are enjoying, but eventually, your body will have to pay the price.

Effects on the body
Alcohol is a drug, even in small amounts, its effects are noticeable. Prolonged heavy drinking may result in problems.
Its effects cut across all the body systems.

Brain and Nervous System
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system. It decreases its activities and thereby reducing anxiety, tension and inhibitions.
Drinking releases excess GABA and dopamine, two naturally occurring neurotransmitters. GABA is responsible for calming the brain down, and dopamine is responsible for pleasure, a part of the brain’s reward system. Too much of these neurotransmitters can lead to shortness of breath, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, night terrors, delusions, hallucinations, spasms, and increased levels of both aggression and depression.

Skin
Alcohol causes facial flushing, which becomes constant in heavy drinkers.

Breasts
Alcohol consumption raises the risk for breast cancer. Research suggests that even so much as one drink a day may increase of person’s risk for breast cancer. Estrogen levels are raised when alcohol is consumed, and an increased estrogen level is a risk factor for developing breast cancer. Learn more on breastcancer.org


Pancreas
Excessive alcohol use is a common cause of pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, and it is major risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Heavy drinking also impairs the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin, which can lead to diabetes.


Bones
Excessive drinking can accelerate the rate of bone deterioration and increase the risk for bone fracture and osteoporosis. Calcium is necessary from strong, dense bones and when alcohol is consumed it acts as a diuretic and flushes calcium from the bones making them weaker and more susceptible to fracture.

Heart and Circulation
Prolonged heavy drinking can cause coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, and stroke.

Immune system
Drinking heavily reduces your body’s natural immune system. This makes it more difficult for your body to fight off invading germs and viruses.

Digestive System
It causes irritation which may result to ulcer, and gastritis. The effect is because of the alcohol's ability to speed up hydrochloric acid secretion.

Urinary system
Alcohol acts as a diuretic. Increasing urine output. Heavy drinkers are prone to kidney failure.


Reproductive system
It increases sexual confidence, but high level can cause impotence. It causes fetal alcohol syndrome in pregnant women.

Liver
Liver is the main organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol from the blood; it manifests many long-term effects of heavy drinking. Effects include; fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Note: IF YOU NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE THE URGE TO DRINK EVERYDAY, IF YOU ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON ALCOHOL, IF SMALL AMOUNT IS NOT OKAY FOR YOU, PLEASE SEE A DOCTOR FOR HELP.

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Obembe S.D

the age long issue on alcohol.... my simple take on this is... something must kill a man... but choose wisely what you want to die of...

Everything should be in moderation