Alcohol and your health make informed choices

Alcohol

Alcohol is a commonly used beverage. People drink alcohol for a range of reasons – including relaxation and celebration. Alcohol can be enjoyed in sensible quantities. However, alcohol is a mind-altering substance and has a number of potentially harmful effects. Alcohol can:

slow down the activity of the brain and the central nervous system, impairing speech, movement, mood and judgement;
increase the risk of accidents, drink driving, injury as a pedestrian, unsafe sex, physical and sexual assault, self-harm and overdose;
cause drowsiness, loss of balance, nausea and vomiting.

The likelihood and severity of these harmful effects will increase with the amount of alcohol consumed.

Regular excessive drinking can:

jeopardise people’s jobs and relationships, and cause legal or financial difficulties;
cause serious health conditions – including cancer, heart and circulation problems, impotence and liver disease.

Importantly, heavy drinking can affect brain development in young people.

More at; Alcohol and your health make informed choices | Australian Medical Association.