Is alcohol a drug?

Basically-yes. Its immediate effect is to alter mood. It can make you feel happy, euphoric even. But it is actually a depressant and its use switches off the part of the brain which controls judgement and control.

What are the short term affects?

• Loss of physical co-ordination

• Impaired balance and vision

• Slurred speech

• Loss of clarity of thought

• Loss of judgement and inhibition

• Higher risk of accidents, unsafe sex, domestic and work-based frictions

• The more alcohol consumed the greater the effects

• Heavy drinking depresses bodily functions and can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea,

• leeplessness and feelings of being 'hung over'

• A heavy drinking bout can result in unconsciousness, coma or even death

• Fatal asphyxiation could occur after vomiting during unconsciousness or even a heavy drink-induced sleep.

What about long term?

Because alcohol is a poisonous substance its frequent misuse may cause or contribute to irreversible damage to your internal organs

Liver - fatty deposits leading to possible cirrhosis

Brain - cells die, brain function affected

Stomach - gastritis and bleeding

Cancer - greater risk of cancer of the gullet, larynx, breast

Blood and Heart - high blood pressure / stroke

Nervous System - nerve pains/tightening of the arms and legs

Other problems - mal-nutrition, sexual problems, infertility, muscle disease, skin problems, disease of the pancreas.

Mental Health - anxiety may be heightened, depression increased, and suicide more likely to be contemplated.

Dependency - As with many other drugs, ever increasing amounts are needed to avoid the traumas of withdrawal symptoms.

Women

Women are more susceptible to some of the long term effects, particularly liver disease.

Pregnancy - long tern use of alcohol can affect a developing child.