Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Awareness: Alcohol Awareness

Hazards of Long-Term Alcohol Use

A drunken man in a car
What are some symptoms of alcoholism?

Alcoholism

The short-term effects of alcohol can be dangerous, but the long-term effects can have devastating results for the drinker, their family, and society. Alcohol is an addictive drug. The most serious result of long-term or inappropriate use of alcohol is alcoholism, which can lead to permanent brain damage, high blood pressure, some forms of heart disease, and bleeding stomach disorders.


think and click What are some symptoms of alcoholism?

Symptoms of alcohol addiction may include agitation, tremors, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, chronic fatigue and depression, and an irregular heartbeat.

Many effects of chronic alcoholism occur because alcohol takes the place of nutritious foods, causing liver damage. Chronic alcohol use forces the liver to use the alcohol as an energy source, so the liver is deluged with alcohol. Eventually, liver cells become unable to function properly, and they accumulate fat deposits, causing the liver to enlarge. If the drinker abstains from alcohol, the liver can return to normal functioning, but if the drinker continues, the drinker may develop cirrhosis, a condition in which normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. Cirrhosis can lead to death.

Image of baby's feet in the womb

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, she puts her unborn baby at risk of developing a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

FAS is the term used to describe a group of severe birth defects resulting from the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, including life-long brain damage. Children with FAS exhibit a variety of learning disabilities and social disabilities. They may be unable to learn the appropriate social norms or to associate behavior and consequences. The subsequent lack of impulse control may result in a lack of social development necessary for success in school and in adult life.

Causes

Alcohol in the mother and the developing fetus changes the way the fetus develops. An unborn baby gets food, water, and oxygen from its mother's blood as it crosses the placenta. The alcohol in the mother's blood stream crosses the placenta freely. The more alcohol the mother drinks, the greater the risks to the baby.


think and click What is the best way to avoid FAS?

The best way to be sure that an unborn baby will not be harmed by alcohol is to not drink any alcohol while pregnant. FAS is 100% preventable.