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reducing harm caused by alcohol

Short Term Effects

Our Behaviour

As our bodies cope with the increase of alcohol in the bloodstream, we can feel jumpy, anxious and miserable.

The next day our behaviour can be affected by this mood swing. For some people this leads them to drink again to dampen these feelings, and this increases their general feelings of anxiety and depression.

This can colour the way they see their lives and everyday behaviour.

Alcohol can change our mood, making us feel more relaxed, merry, aggressive, or depressed and suicidal when we are drinking.

Our moods affect our behaviour, so the impact of alcohol on our mood will have an associated impact on our behaviour.

Drinking may then apparently change our behaviour at the time, but it can also change our behaviour afterwards.

Weight Gain

Alcoholic drinks contain more calories than you think. If you’re concerned about weight gain you should consider cutting down your alcohol intake. Here are the average calories in typical alcoholic drinks:

Alcoholic Drink
Calories
125ml Glass of 13.5%abv Wine 105
175ml Glass of 13.5%abv Wine 147
250ml Glass of 13.5%abv Wine 210
1 Bottle of 13.5%abv Wine 630
1 Pint of 5.3%abv Cider 244
1 Litre Bottle of 7.5%abv Cider 360
330ml Bottle of 4%abv Beer 110
1 Pint of 4%abv Lager 188
1 Pint of 5%abv Lager 256
275ml Bottle of 5.5%abv Alcopop 220
25ml shot of 40%abv Vodka 55
175ml ¼ bottle of 40%abv Vodka 385
350ml ½ bottle of 40%abv Vodka 770


Dehydration / Hangover

Alcohol dehydrates the body. This is partly what causes ‘hangover’ symptoms. If you’ve been drinking alcohol, drink plenty of water before going to bed.

Early Ageing

Dehydration and lack of proper sleep wrecks skin and hair. It expands blood vessels, causing thread veins and other physical symptoms.

Sleep Problems

It can help us nod off but even small amounts prevent the deep sleep that we need to feel alert and refreshed.

Dizziness

Alcohol is a brain toxin, especially when it is consumed in large amounts. Dizziness is one of the first signs of alcohol intoxication. The dizziness usually passes as the alcohol is removed from the bloodstream, but in chronic alcoholism the dizziness may become permanent.

Damage to Gastrointestinal System

Short, heavy bouts of drinking as well as habitual drinking over the longer term may result in the development of gastritis with individuals suffering from nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Alcohol misuse, whether acute or chronic, is associated with the development of diarrhoea. Habitual alcohol misuse is also associated with defective absorption of a number of nutrients including glucose, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.