Alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is the ingredient found in beer, wine and spirits which causes drunkenness. After a drink is swallowed, the alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the blood with effects felt within 5 to 10 minutes after drinking and thus is carried through all the organs of the body. The degree at which alcohol affects the body depends on different factor like the quantity, age, gender, frequency and whether there is a food in stomach or not. The following are some of the risk associated with single and multiple use of alcohol.

· Alcohol is addictive and can lead to dependency,

· Alcohol causes the loss of memory for a period of drunkenness,

· Alcohol is a carcinogen, meaning that it causes cancers in humans such as cancer of the large intestines, rectum, mouth, liver and breast (in women),

·  Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it causes water to lost from the body through the kidneys (into urine), which can lead to dehydration,

· Chronic heavy alcohol reduces immune system by affecting the white blood cells that fights infection,

· Alcohol use causes many different types of injuries, including injuries from road traffic accidents, assaults and falls,

· Chronic heavy alcohol use interferes with the absorption of calcium and bone formation and can actually lead thinning of the bones, which makes the bones more likely to break,

· Chronic heavy alcohol use can also damage the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination (the cerebellum), leading to instability and problems with walking,

· Alcohol causes a sudden paralysis, loss of sensation or inability to talk because the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, is complex,

·  Heavy chronic alcohol use is also linked to high blood pressure, particularly in men,

·  Chronic heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, causing alcoholic liver diseases,

· Being drunk increases the risk of pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by infection from bacteria or viruses),

· Heavy alcohol use on a single occasion can lead to dangerously low blood sugar,

· Chronic heavy alcohol use can lead to impotence, loss of sex drive, wasting of the testicles and reduced fertility,

· Consuming alcohol while pregnant may increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth and premature birth. It can also cause significant abnormalities in the unborn, developing baby.

Lastly, Alcohol affects mood in a variety of ways, and can make people feel happy, sad or aggressive, and can also cause moods swing.

References

1. Mendiola, J., Torres-Cantero, A. M., & Agarwal, A. (2009). Lifestyle factors and male infertility: An evidence-based review. Archives of Medical Science, 5(1A), S3–S12.

2. Ministry of Health. (2010). Alcohol and pregnancy:A practical guide for health professionals.Wellington: Ministry of Health.

3. Baan, R., Straif, K., Grosse, Y., Secretan, B., Ghissassi, F. E., Bouvard, V., et al. (2007). Carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages. The Lancet Oncology, 8(4), 292–293.

4. Molina, P. E., Happel, K. I., Zhang, P., Kolls, J. K., & Nelson, S. (2010). Focus on: Alcohol and the immune system. Alcohol Research & Health, 33 (1–2), 97–108

5. Fingerhood, M. I. (2007). Alcoholism and associated problems. In N. H. Fiebach, L. R. Barker, J. R. Burton & P. D. Zieve (Eds.), Principles of ambulatory medicine (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.