What are the effects of drinking?
In moderation the effects of drinking are to cause mild disinhibition and increased sociability. However, the effects of drinking can be harmful when alcohol is used to excess. As defined by the World Health Organisation the effects of drinking are likely to be harmful with the consumption of more than 21 units of alcohol per week for males, and 14 units of alcohol per week for females. It is well established that on average females are more susceptible than are males to the harmful effects of drinking. Alcohol abuse is also considered by some to be occurring if a person drinks routinely on more than 5 days of the week. In practical terms, harmful effects of drinking for a male are likely to occur with the consumption of more than 8 pints of typical strength lager in a week, on an on-going basis. For a female harmful effects of drinking are likely to occur with the consumption of more than 1.5 bottles of wine in a week on an on-going basis. In contrast, the effects of drinking are likely to be to improve health with the consumption of 1 unit of alcohol daily on 5 days of the week, due to a protective effect on the heart.

What are the physical effects of drinking?
The most well recognized harmful effect of drinking is liver damage, leading in severe cases to liver cirrhosis. However, the effects of drinking can damage almost any body system. Effects of drinking on the brain include dementia and severe memory loss. Effects of drinking on the cardiovascular system include heart attacks and raised blood pressure. Effects of drinking on the stomach include cancer and ulcers, and harmful effects of drinking occur as pancreatitis and peripheral nerve damage.

What are the social effects of drinking?
Harmful social effects of drinking include crime, violence and unemployment.
What are the psychological effects of drinking?
Alcohol is a depressant and the effects of drinking commonly include depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Typically depression caused by alcohol abuse resolves by itself when the alcohol abuse ceases.

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