Short and long term effects

Factors that may influence how an individual may be affected by alcohol:

Quantity How quickly they have drunk the

alcohol  Whether they have mixed other drugs How regularly they drink Their mood Their age, sex and body weight Food

Function: oversees bodily functions and allows consciousness

Short term effects: Reduced control over

reaction time, co-ordination, thinking and speech

Alcohol poisoning Unconsciousness

Long term effects:

Memory loss Alcohol related

brain injury Hallucinations Impaired motor

skills

Function: to swallow food

Short term effects:

Dryness

Long term effects:

Cancer of the throat, mouth and oesophagus

Function: to pump blood around the body

Short term effects:

Some types of heart problems and stroke by affecting heart rate, blood pressure and blood flow.

Long term effects: Heart disease Stroke Hypertension

Function: to filter out toxins (eg. alcohol) from blood and remove them through urine. Balance fluid.

Short term effects:

Dehydration

Long term effects:

Kidney disease

Short term effects: Irritation Diarrhoea

Long term effects:

Stomach lining inflamed and irritated

Bleeding Loss of appetite Ulcers Cancer Weight gain

Function: digestion and absorption of food

Long term effects:

Inflammation Irritation of

lining Cancer

Functions: removes toxins (alcohol) from the body.

Alcohol is processed by the liver at a fixed rate, getting rid of about one standard drink per hour.

Long term effects:

Inflammation (hepatitis)

Cirrhosis of the liver

Liver failure Cancer

Social Emotional