The Effects of Alcoholism A. Physical effects. The nature of the physical effects depends on the physical condition of the person, the amount of alcohol taken and the frequency with which it is used. Once in the blood, the brain's functioning is impaired temporarily, the drinker's balance, motor skills, thinking and emotional responses are influenced. The patient dies from cirrhosis of the liver. Heavy alcohol use can permanently damage the brain and nervous system, lead to numerous gastrointestinal diseases, put extra pressure on the heart so that strokes or heart attacks are more likely, inhibit the manufacture of red and white blood cells, lead to impotence, and cause potentially serious risk to a developing fetus.
Alcohol use can increase the risk of liver, stomach, colon and breast cancer.
B. Psychological-Social Effects. These include dulled thinking, inappropriate behavior and emotional responses, self-neglect, withdrawal, and loss of social inhibitions. Psychological defenses begin to build and excuse making begins, repression of bad memories, blaming others and even denial that the problem exists. Life is built around getting enough alcohol. All else is secondary.