A sudden intake of large amounts of alcohol may result in death, this is because nerve impulses to the brain are dangerously blocked. There are over two hundred deaths a year from this kind of accidental alcohol poisoning. Test have shown that long-term drinking like that of an alcoholic can lead to a measurable loss of thinking ability. Over time heavy drinking can also cause permanent damage to the central nervous system. Research has shown that there seems to be an association between alcohol and cancer, with heavy drinkers having the highest risk.
Drinkers seem to get cancer more frequently than non-drinkers.
Scientists believe that alcohol weakens body tissue and makes them more susceptible to cancer causing substances. Alcohol is considered a factor in over seven thousand cases of cancer a year. Alcohol hurts heavy drinkers health in general, consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time harms their bodies and shortens their life. On average, heavy drinkers are taking twelve to fifteen years off their lives. It is believed that there are many different ways a person can become a alcoholic.