Alcohol Abuse

The effects of alcohol abuse generally fall into two broad categories: long-term and short-term. The short-term effects usually result from drinking for a few hours and include difficulty with balance and walking, slurred speech, slowed reaction times, and impaired memory. Drunk driving is a common consequence of alcohol’s short-term effects, where poor judgment and slowed reaction times may lead to accidents, often fatal. Long-term effects can be even more severe and difficult to reverse.

Alcohol abuse can cause damage to many parts of the body. Beyond the heart, lungs and stomach, alcohol abuse can affect smaller organs such as the kidneys.

The kidneys are organs that act as the body’s waste management system. They filter the blood in order to keep it clean by excreting water and waste products in the form of urine. The kidneys control the composition and amount of electrolytes in the body.