How Alcohol Affects Your Health

Alcohol can lead to health problems if you drink a lot on a regular basis. This is because it affects how well your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) works.

If you drink a lot of alcohol in a short space of time, it can cause alcohol poisoning, which can affect your ability to speak and move. As well lowering your core body temperature, it can stop your gag reflex, which can cause choking. This is very dangerous, especially if you vomit.

Alcohol affects your ability to control your body movements, so if you have a lot to drink, you’re more likely to have accidents or hurt yourself.

It also affects your judgement which can lead to you taking risks you wouldn’t normally take, like having unprotected sex, getting into fights or getting into trouble with the police.

Drinking alcohol regularly increases the risk of liver disease. This can happen without you realising, because much of the damage is unseen.

Alcohol has been linked to higher risks of different types of cancers and heart disease.

Alcohol can also increase your risk of getting diabetes, this is because of the sugars present in alcoholic drinks.

Cutting down your alcohol intake can reduce your risk of getting these diseases.

Experts advise having days when you don’t drink any alcohol to help your body recover from the effects.

If you’re drinking alcohol daily, it can be dangerous to stop suddenly. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, have a chat with your public health nurse (school nurse).

Find help in your local area

Find help in your local area

Find out what services are available to you in your area. Remember your school nurse is always there to give you confidential help and support.

Select Your Area

Brighton & Hove and West SussexBuckinghamshireCoventryDevonHampshireHertfordshireKentLeicesterManchester and TraffordNottinghamshirePlymouthSandwellShropshireSolihullStaffordshire & StokeWalsall