Alcoholic beverages are popular all over the world. Some Islamic countries ban the consumption of alcohol which they consider to be a vice. Socially, alcohol tends to be consumed by groups of people and is found to be a part of daily life in some countries.


Alcohol consumption is positively linked with good health among people who consume small quantities of alcohol. This is particularly proven by data form Central and Southern France where wine consumption is regular among locals. These areas have a higher life expectancy as compared to areas where wine consumption is less.


Alcohol can however be addictive and the long term effects on your health from excessive alcohol consumption may be life threatening.

Alcohol abuse has been linked with liver problems, heart disease, and pancreatitis and to damage that can occur to the nervous system and even the brain. When a person consumes too much alcohol at one time, he or she will be intoxicated or drunk. In such a situation, a drunken person is not in control of his or her motor skills and can suffer injury during this time and put others too in harm’s way. Driving under the influence of alcohol is responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide.

Alcoholic liver disease is one of the most common problems alcohol consumption related illnesses. Unlike other diseases which may have a link to lifestyle and diet habits, liver disease in an alcoholic is broadly accepted to be caused by alcohol consumption alone. Heavy drinkers who may drink more than two drinks per day are susceptible to liver damage caused by alcohol consumption. You do not necessarily have to be an alcohol addict to suffer from alcoholic liver disease. A mild form of liver disease is a fatty liver where alcohol consumption causes large fat deposits to form in the liver. This inhibits liver function but can be reversed through diet and exercise along with alcohol abstinence. Hepatitis can occur as a result of fatty liver problems. The life threatening liver disease caused by alcohol consumption is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis occurs when lesions occur on the liver and this leads to liver failure and possibly, death.

The pancreas is at risk when one consumes too much alcohol. Pancreatic cancer is linked to alcohol consumption and can cause many other diseases like diabetes due to the pancreas failing to perform its normal functions.

Alcohol consumption has also been linked to brain and nervous system damage. This might lead to tremors and sexual dysfunction.