Long-Term Effects
Everyone has heard it at least once – “How much harm could a couple drinks really do?”
The answer, as it turns out, it a lot.
Seriously.
Over time, repeated binge drinking can leave you with more than a series of really bad hangovers.
Effects on the liver
When the liver has to frequently detoxify large amounts of alcohol – READ: your weekly binges – its cells can be damaged or even destroyed. This can lead to serious medical conditions such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. If that doesn’t sound bad enough, know that both hepatitis and cirrhosis can kill you.
Effects on the cardiovascular system
Binge drinking can cause hypertension, weaken heart muscles and increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and arrhythmia.
Effects on the immune system
Bing drinking can compromise the immune system, increasing the risk for all kinds of infectious diseases.
Effects on the reproductive system
Binge drinking can seriously affect men’s sexual performance. It can also lower men’s testosterone levels and disrupt menstrual cycles in women.
Missed work and school
Thousands of Canadians miss work or school because of their drinking. In some cases, they even lose their jobs or fail courses.
Mental health problems
Alcohol is a depressant and heavy drinkers may find themselves suffering from depression, anxiety or grief as a result of their drinking.
Relationship problems
It’s no secret – drinking can ruin relationships. Family, friends and loved ones don’t take kindly to alcohol abuse.
High-risk sexual activity
Excessive drinking can impair good judgment. Unplanned sex, unprotected sex and – in extreme cases – unwanted sex are fueled by alcohol. And that increases the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease.