As is true of the benefits, the hazards are dose-related. First of all, susceptible individuals become alcoholics. Alcohol is a known cancer-causing agent, increasing the likelihood of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver and cancer of the breast in women. Overall, it appears that drinkers have higher death rates from injuries, violence, suicide, poisoning, cirrhosis, and possibly hemorrhagic stroke. Daily alcohol use contributes to pancreatitis, heart rhythm disturbances, degeneration of the heart muscle, liver abnormalities, blood abnormalities, high blood pressure, gastritis, impotence, dehydration, low blood sugar, nutritional deficiencies, sleep disturbance, withdrawal reactions, weakness, falls, depression and trouble with memory and concentration.
Drinkers are generally more likely to smoke than non-drinkers.
The elderly are quite prone to its sedative effects. Alcohol, depending on dose, can have varying effects on mood, including drowsiness, giddiness, poor judgment, belligerence, or even psychosis. Alcohol interacts with many prescription and nonprescription drugs. Estimates are that over 100,000 deaths are attributed to alcohol each year. Based on reported benefits, if alcohol were proposed to the FDA as a preventive medicine against cardiovascular disease, it would be extremely unlikely to receive approval.