Negative Effects of Alcohol Sales

Excessive alcohol consumption is bad, both for the people who drink it and society at large.

For the majority of people, drinking alcohol is usually associated with celebrating, socializing and having fun. As a legal substance, there is a tendency to easily forget that there is also a dark side to alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption has negative effects, ranging from physical harm to social repercussions.

The Impact of Alcohol on Physical Health

When alcohol is consumed in moderation, it may contribute to reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and gallstones. However, when consumed in excess, alcohol can have alarming detrimental physical effects. Chronic effects attributable to excessive alcohol consumption include brain damage, diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, epilepsy and a wide range of cancers affecting the colon, stomach, liver, prostate, ovary and breast. Pregnant women who drink are also likely to affect the development of their fetus, which will have life-long repercussions on the child's physical and mental capacity.

The Impact of Alcohol on Mental Health

Alcohol increases the risk of the drinker developing a range of mental health conditions. Drinking can also adversely affect people who are predisposed to mental illness as well as those already suffering from mental health issues, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Since alcohol is a depressant, depression and anxiety are common effects of excessive drinking. These conditions have the potential to result in self-harm, including suicide. Furthermore, should drinking in excess become habitual, alcohol dependence is likely to develop.

Alcohol-related Injury and Death

Since a drinker's judgment and physical co-ordination are impaired when alcohol is consumed, alcohol-related injuries and deaths are sadly a common occurrence. These injuries are generally the result of stupidity, such as getting into fights, climbing onto balconies because of lost apartment keys or swimming drunk. Often such injuries may be minor, but occasionally they result in the death of the drinker or a completely innocent bystander as occurs all too often when people drive intoxicated.

Alcohol and Crime

Alcohol consumption impairs a drinker's ability to make rational judgments and increases aggressive behavior. Excessive drinking has the negative effects of contributing to violent crimes, including assault and battery, domestic violence, sexual assault and even theft, with addicts stealing money and other items in order to satisfy their cravings. These alcohol-related crimes have cost implications for society as a whole, ranging from expenditures on courts, police and incarceration, to health-related costs for ambulances and hospitals to treat victims.

References

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Overview of Positive and Negative Effects of Alcohol Consumption --- Implications for Preventive Policies in Canada (PDF)
• Australian Government Department of Health and Aging: Teenagers and Alcohol -- A Guide for Parents
• Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs: The Right Mix, Alcohol and Mental Health (PDF)