The risks of drinking too much
Alcohol and your health
Alcohol is a toxic chemical that can affect almost every part of your body.
The effects of alcohol can vary. Sometimes you may feel the effects almost straight away. At other times, the effects can take longer and may happen after you have had a few drinks.
What affects alcohol’s impact?
Many things can affect the impact alcohol has on you, including what you have eaten, your mood, how much sleep you have had and how much alcohol you have consumed.
Understanding alcohol units can help you keep track of how much you are drinking.
Do not risk your health
Drinking more than the low-risk guidelines on a regular basis increases your risk of serious health conditions.
Regular or frequent drinking means drinking alcohol most weeks. The more you drink, the higher the risks to your health.
Serious risks can include:
- cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, oesophagus, breast, liver and bowel
- stroke
- heart disease
- liver disease
- damage to the nervous system
- pancreatitis
- mental health problems
Binge drinking
Drinking a lot of alcohol on a single occasion, sometimes called binge drinking, is especially harmful.
It can increase your risk of:
- accidents resulting in injury or death
- misjudging risky situations
- losing your inhibitions
- increased risk-taking or making decisions you usually would not
- becoming a victim or perpetrator of crime
- self-harm and suicide
How to reduce your risk
To reduce your health risks on any single occasion:
- limit how much you drink
- drink more slowly
- drink with food
- alternate alcoholic drinks with water or non-alcoholic drinks
Social issues
Drinking too much alcohol can also contribute to social problems, such as unemployment, relationship breakdowns, domestic abuse and homelessness.
Further information and support
For more information about alcohol, units, health risks and getting support, visit NHS 111 Wales or Public Health Wales.