Depressant drugs slow down the activity of the central nervous system. The effects of alcohol depend on the amount drunk, the person s experience with alcohol, their expectations, the mood they are in, their body weight, size and how good their health is, whether they ve eaten and whether they ve taken other drugs. The effect of combining different drugs is unpredictable. Physical problems include liver damage, heart and blood disorders, brain damage, stomach inflammation and damage to reproductive organs. Emotional problems can include depression or relationship and family problems.
Social problems can include poor work performance, financial difficulties and legal problems.
One unpleasant effect of heavy drinking is a hangover. Symptoms include headache, ill-temper, nausea, shakiness and possibly vomiting. Alcohol use during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. It has been linked with the baby being born with a low birth-weight, risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends the following guidelines for low risk drinking.