Drinking Alcohol – Short and Long Term Risks

Even though many people drink alcohol at a safe level – others don’t. Binge drinking (4 or more on one occasion for women and 5 or more for men) is the most harmful to your health.  Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink to reduce your risk of alcohol related problems.

Short Term Health Risks

Alcohol use, especially binge drinking, has immediate effects that increase the risk of harm including:

• Violence
  

  Fights, intimate partner violence, and child abuse.

• Risky sexual behaviors
  

  Unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. 

• Alcohol poisoning 
  

  A medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that can cause passing out, low blood pressure, low body temperature, coma, problems breathing, or even death.

• Unintentional injuries
  

  Traffic injuries (drinking and driving), falls, drowning, burns, and unintentional firearm injuries.

Long Term Health Risks

Over time, alcohol use can lead to the development of many physical, emotional, mental, and social problems including:

• Heart problems
  

  Heart attack, heart disease and high blood pressure.

• Cancer
  

  Cancers of the head & neck, liver, colon, and breast. In general, the risk of cancer rises with increasing intake of alcohol.  If you drink & smoke cigarettes, the risk of developing certain cancers is even greater.

• Mental health problems
  

  Alcohol dependence, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

• Social problems
  

  Unemployment, financial crisis, and family/friend problems.

• Stroke.

• Liver disease.

• Stomach problems.

Find out more information on How You Can Reduce Your Alcohol Risks.