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Health Services

Health Risks

Immediate & Long Term Risks Specific to Heavy Drinking

Alcohol consumption causes a number of changes in behavior and physiology. Even low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination, and abstract mental functioning. Statistics show that alcohol use is involved in a majority of violent behaviors on college campuses. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a health lifestyle.

Amphetamines can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, depression, damage to the brain and lungs, tremors, loss of coordination, collapse, and death. Heavy users are prone to irrational acts.

Cocaine/Crack users often have a stuffy, runny nose and may have a perforated nasal septum. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dilated pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature, paranoia and depression. Cocaine is extremely addictive and can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pain, muscle spasms, psychosis, convulsions, stroke and even death.

Depressants, including alcohol, ludes, barbiturates, may cause liver damage, convulsions, depression, disorientation, and insomnia.

Hallucinogens, such as LSD, PCP, angel dust, and mushrooms cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Phencyclidine (PCP), another hallucinogen affects the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Hallucinogens can cause liver damage, convulsion, coma, and even death.

Marijuana (grass, reefer, pot, weed) may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce coordination and energy level. Users often have a lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer. Users also experience interference with psychological maturation and temporary loss of fertility. The active ingredient in marijunana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and reproductive system for a minimum of 28 to 30 days.

Methamphetamines, known as speed, meth, ice, glass, etc. have a high potential for abuse and dependence. Taking even small amounts may produce irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Over time, methamphetamine users may experience symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, a severe movement disorder.

Narcotics (codeine, heroin, smack, or other opiate drugs cause) the body to have diminished pain reactions. The use of heroin can result in coma or death due to a reduction in heart rate.

Solvents-Inhalants (acetone, freons, nitrous oxide), may cause heart failure, respiratory arrest, liver and brain damage.

Steroid users experience a sudden increase in muscle and weight and an increase in aggression and combativeness. Steroids can cause high blood pressure, liver and kidney damage, heart disease, sterility and prostate cancer.

Tobacco may cause lung cancer, emphyzema, and oral cancer.

**There is also risk of addiction for all substances.

Immediate Health Risks Specific to Heavy Drinking

Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These immediate effects are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:

Unintentional injuries, including traffic injuries, falls, drownings, burns and unintentional firearm injuries.
Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. About 35% of victims report that offenders are under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol use is also associated with 2 out of 3 incidents of intimate partner violence. Studies have also shown that alcohol is a leading factor in child maltreatment and neglect cases, and is the most frequent substance abused among these parents.
Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women, and a combination of physical and mental birth defects among children that last throughout life.
Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that suppress the central nervous system and can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory depression, or death.
Legal implications such as DUI, public intoxication, and providing alcohol to minors.

Long-Term Health Risks Specific to Heavy Drinking

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases, neurological impairments and social problems. These include but are not limited to:

Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.
Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.
Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide.
Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems.
Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast.
The risk of cancer generally increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
Liver diseases, including alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, which is among the 15 leading causes of all deaths in the United States.
Other gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis.