Effects on the body

Effects on the body

Alcohol can have both short-term and long-term effects on almost every part of your body. 

Short-term effects 

Short-term effects on the mind and body can be experienced by anyone, even if they don’t drink too much generally. Your body can only process roughly one unit of alcohol per hour, by drinking more than your body can cope with you put yourself at risk of a range of short term effects such as:
  • Lowered inhibitions, leading to poor social judgment
  • Slurred speech
  • Slow reactions
  • Loss of coordination
  • Impaired memory and blackouts
  • Impotence
  • Vomiting
  • Passing out
  • Hangovers

Long-term effects 

Long-term health risks associated with alcohol misuse include:
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Pancreatitis
  • Liver disease 
  • Cancers, such as liver cancer, mouth cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer and bowel cancer  
  • Depression
  • Dementia 
  • Sexual problems, such as impotence
  • Infertility 
Long-term alcohol misuse can also weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to serious infections and weaken your bones, placing you at greater risk of fracturing or breaking them.

How to make a change

To help avoid these health impacts it is recommended that men and women stick to the low-risk drinking guidelines: 
  • To keep health risks low, it is best to not drink more than 14 units per week. 14 units means roughly six pints of lager or one and a half bottles of wine.
  • Don’t ‘save up’ your units, spread them out over three or more days. 
  • Make sure you have a least two days off.
If you're worried that you might be drinking too much, check how you measure up with our Alcohol Test - it's completely free and confidential.

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