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    • Sorry, we couldn't find anything…
    Information How is your drinking affecting you?

    While alcohol affects each of us differently, regularly drinking to excess can cause problems in both the short and long term.

    The effects of alcohol depend on a range of factors, including:

    • Age
    • Amount of fat or muscle
    • Amount of food in your stomach
    • Drinking history
    • Gender
    • How fast you drink
    • Mental health and emotional state
    • Other chemicals in your drinks
    • Other medications and drugs in your system
    • Physical health
    • Tolerance to alcohol

    Short-term effects

    • Alcohol poisoning, coma and death
    • Blackouts
    • Blurred vision
    • Drowning
    • Fires
    • Flushed appearance
    • Headache
    • Injuries associated with falls, accidents, violence and intentional self-harm
    • Intense moods (aggression, elation, depression)
    • Lack of co-ordination
    • Loss of inhibitions and a false sense of confidence
    • Motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Reduced concentration
    • Slower reflexes
    • Slurred speech

    Long-term effects

    • Alcohol dependency
    • Alcohol related brain injury
    • Cancers – including cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel (in men) and breast (in women)
    • Cirrhosis and liver failure
    • Concentration and long-term memory problems
    • Family and relationship problems
    • Heart and cerebrovascular diseases including hypertension and stroke
    • Legal and financial difficulties
    • Poor nutrition
    • Poor work performance
    • Problems with the nerves of the arms and legs
    • Sexual and reproductive problems (impotence, fertility)
    • Skin problems
    • Stomach complaints and problems

    For more information about the effects of alcohol on your body, check out our interactive tool.

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    • health
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    Pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding?

    Give your baby the best possible start and avoid the risks of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should not drink alcohol. If you are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for your baby.

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