Short term effects of alcohol

The results of disruptions to the nervous system correspond to delayed or nonfunctional signal reception from the brain. This can lead to effects including impaired judement, balance and motor control, reaction time, loss of memory, and in severe cases death. Binge drinking continues as a part of young culture, and is often times associated with these neural effects. The Center for Disease Control and prevention stated that 21% of current drinkers in America reported consuming more than 5 alcoholic drinks on at least one day in 2007. 

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                    Figure 16

Long term effects of alcohol

Habitual use reinforces the abnormal neurotransmitter activity and ionic flow within the nervous system, leading to fundamental changes and alterations to everyday activity that can lead to permanent adjustments in personality, as well as damage to other organs and body functions. Dependency is more commonly known as alcoholism, and is largely responsible for the 22,073 alcohol induced deaths (excluding accident and homicide)  and 13,050 alcoholic liver disease deaths that occurred in 2006.  

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                       Figure 17