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What are the immediate effects of drinking alcohol?
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Most people begin to feel relaxed, happy and less self-controlled. After
one or two drinks, you may not appear drunk, but you have already lost some of your coordination skills. |
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Drinking more alcohol will affect your speech. Your balance and vision will
also be affected. Since alcohol lowers inhibitions, some people may become hostile or depressed. |
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Drinking a large amount of alcohol may result in loss of consciousness.
Breathing may stop and death can result. |
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Alcohol is not safe to use when you are taking other drugs. Even a small
amount of alcohol can change the effect of another drug. |
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When a person drinks too much, they often wake up with a hangover. A
hangover is alcohol withdrawal, and consists of a headache, shakiness and nausea. Short-term loss of memory
(blackouts) can occur after drinking too much.
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What are the long term effects of drinking alcohol?
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Drinking heavily over a long period of time can lead to serious health
problems including stomach ulcers, liver disease, brain damage, and many kinds of cancers. |
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Heavy drinking will likely affect relationships with family and friends,
careers and social life. Other results can be financial and legal problems. |
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No safe level of drinking during pregnancy has been found. Pregnant women
should never drink alcohol, because it can cause permanent brain damage in the baby. |
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