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.
Alcohol Warning Signs – Poster (PDF 286KB)
View, download and print the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Alcohol Warning Signs poster. Know the facts. Reduce your risk.
Short Term Health Risks
Alcohol use, especially binge drinking, has immediate effects that increase the risk of harm including:
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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:
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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.
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Liver disease.
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Stomach problems.
Find out more information on How You Can Reduce Your Alcohol Risks.
Date of creation: January 1, 2013
Last modified on: February 11, 2015
Last modified on: February 11, 2015
Resources
- Alcohol Warning Signs - Poster (PDF 286KB)
References
1Babor, T., Caetano, R., Casswell, S., Edwards, G., Giesbrecht, N., Graham, K. …Rossow, I. (2010). Alcohol No Ordinary Commodity (2nd Edition). New York, NY: Oxford University Press Inc
2Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2010). Alcohol and Chronic Health Problems [Brochure]. Toronto, ON. Retrieved from
http://www.camh.ca/en/education/about/camh_publications/Pages/Alcohol_Health_Problems.aspx
http://www.camh.ca/en/education/about/camh_publications/Pages/Alcohol_Health_Problems.aspx