The downside of drinking too much

Short term increased risks due to getting very drunk include:

• not getting home safely
• risky or unprotected sex which could result in sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies
• Fights and arguments which could result in trouble with the police and getting a criminal record
• being  a victim of crime
• Injuries and accidents
• vomiting, passing out or even alcoholic poisoning

When you “binge drink” you increase your blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. If you do overdo it, click here for some tips

Long term Heavy Drinking

There's no two ways about it - heavy drinking, especially on a regular basis, can lead to serious health or social problems, including:

• Alcohol dependence or alcoholism
• Sexual difficulties, including impotence (alcohol tends to ‘increase the desire to minimise the performance’)
• Cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholic fatty liver
• Pancreatitis
• Stomach disorders, such as ulcers
• Mood changes
• In extreme cases, alcoholic poisoning, coma, brain damage and death
• An increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially of the mouth, upper respiratory system and breast cancer.
• An increased risk of getting into financial difficulty, perhaps losing your job or home.
• Risks to the family, whereby children of dependent drinkers are more likely to develop alcohol related problems themselves and the family unit is more likely to break down.

It is important to remember that ‘the majority of people who drink alcohol, drink sensibly the majority of the time’. Also, more than half the worlds’ adult population choose not to drink alcohol for religious, cultural or health reasons.