Alcohol is a psychoactive substance made of ethanol, which can be found in beverages such as beer, wine, and liquor. Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant, slowing down brain activity and bodily functions when ingested. Alcohol use is associated with a range of adverse health effects, particularly when used excessively or at a young age. Alcohol can also be addictive, and repeated use can lead to physical dependence and alcohol use disorder (AUD). In the United States, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol.
What is alcohol?
Slurred speech – Talking may become slow or hard to understand
Loss of coordination – You may stumble, trip, or have trouble with balance
Slowed reaction time – Makes it harder to drive or respond quickly to danger
Blurred vision – Seeing clearly may become difficult
Poor decision-making – More likely to take risks you wouldn’t normally take
Mood changes – You might feel overly excited, sad, angry, or emotional
Memory problems or blackouts – You might not remember things you said or did
Nausea and vomiting – Drinking too much can upset your stomach
Dehydration and fatigue – Alcohol can make you tired and cause headaches
Lowered inhibitions – You may say or do things you wouldn’t normally do
Short-term effects of alcohol use
How does alcohol affect the body?
When alcohol is consumed, it travels down the digestive tract into the stomach, where about 20% of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Then, alcohol moves into the small intestine, where the remaining 80% of it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the intestine. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, alcohol is equally distributed to the tissues in the body, including the brain, heart, and lungs. However, the liver experiences the greatest exposure to alcohol through the bloodstream because blood is received directly from the stomach and small intestine through a vein. The liver metabolizes, or breaks down, the chemicals in the alcohol, attempting to excrete it from the body.
Brain & Nervous System
Alcohol disrupts brain communication, affecting mood, coordination, behavior, and thinking. It increases the risk of stroke and long-term nerve damage, which can cause numbness, pain, and other bodily dysfunctions.
Alcohol can damage the lining of the GI tract, cause inflammation, bleeding, and increase the risk of reflux, colorectal cancer, and cancers of the esophagus and mouth.
Stomach & Digestive System
Heart & Blood Vessels
Heavy alcohol use can weaken the heart muscle, cause arrhythmias, raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
Liver
Alcohol is toxic to the liver and can cause inflammation, fat buildup, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. Prolonged misuse may lead to permanent liver damage and failure.
Click here for an interactive visualization of alcohol’s effects on the body.
Standard Drinks & Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.08% or more. For adults, this typically means consuming 5 or more drinks for males or 4 or more drinks for females within about 2 hours. Binge drinking in youth is typically defined as:
Ages 14-15: 4 or more drinks for males, 3 or more drinks for females
Ages 16-17: 5 or more drinks for males, 3 or more drinks for females
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), young adults ages 18 to 25 had the highest rate of binge drinking, with 28.7% reporting binge drinking in the past month. In contrast, only 3.9% of adolescents ages 12 to 17 reported binge drinking in the past month. Although this number may seem small, this is equivalent to 1.0 million adolescents.
What is binge drinking?
Dangers & consequences of binge drinking during adolescence:
Increased risky behaviors: Binge drinking is linked to riding with intoxicated drivers, using other substances such as cannabis, and unprotected sex, which raises the risk for STIs.
Neurological vulnerability: Alcohol can interfere with adolescent brain development, leading to long-term changes in memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Sensitivity to alcohol: Teens may be more sensitive to alcohol’s "rewarding" effects (feeling good), making them more likely to drink large amounts quickly.
Social pressure and peer influence: Binge drinking often happens in group settings, where social norms, easy access to alcohol, and a desire to fit in can drive high-risk behavior.
Preference for liquor: Teens often choose hard liquor, aiming to get drunk quickly, which increases the risk for blackouts and injury, especially since many don’t understand what counts as a standard drink.
Dangerous drinking environments: Binge episodes often happen in unsupervised homes, parties, or bars, which raises the chances of violence and other harms.
Early onset, long-term risk: Youth who begin binge drinking before age 15 are more likely to develop alcohol use disorder or maintain heavy drinking patterns into adulthood.