Since COVID-19 started, some of us have been drinking a bit more than before. Those few extra drinks don’t just go straight to your head. They can have a whole lot of different impacts … and many of them are hidden.
The impact of alcohol is not just a matter of how much a person drinks, but also why they drink, and how their drinking affects their life. Over time, small increases to the amount of alcohol you drink can steadily rise. This can take a toll on your finances and relationships as well as have lasting impacts on your physical and mental health.
Consuming on average more than 10 standard drinks a week, or more than four standards on any one occasion (binge drinking) increases the risk of experiencing a number of different long-term health problems as well as short-term harms.
Common alcohol effects:
The good news is you can help to control the damaging effects of alcohol by keeping an eye on your drinking and sticking to healthy habits.
- A solid 8-hours sleep will see you up refreshed and relaxed. Drinking makes getting a good night’s sleep much less likely. If you’re not getting quality shut-eye, it might be time to cut back on the amount you’re drinking.
- If you want to lower your risk of seven types of cancer, lowering your alcohol intake is a good place to start.
- If you want to top up your finances in these uncertain times, it pays to think twice before topping up your glass.
- COVID-19’s still a thing and colds and flu are in the air. As we get out and about, you’ll find a healthy immune system could be your best friend. Cutting down on alcohol can help improve your immune system.
Drink less. Feel better.
Now’s the time to rethink your lockdown drinking behaviour and set yourself up for healthy habits. There’s so much support out there, find out how you can reduce your drinking.
Click on a body interest area to view the long-term effects of alcohol
- Brain injury
- Confusion
- Loss of memory
- Hallucinations
- Cancer
- Greater chance of infections, including tuberculosis
- Tingling and loss of sensation in hands and feet
- Breast cancer
- Irregular pulse
- Enlarged heart
- High blood pressure
- Liver cancer
- Hepatitus
- Cirrhosis
- Severe swelling and pain
- Bleeding
- Ulcers
- Inflamed lining
- Weakness
- Loss of muscle tissue
- Inflammation causing pain
- Changes in red blood cells
- Flushing
- Sweating
- Bruising
- Impotence
- Damaged/ reduced sperm
- Shrinking of the testicals
- Greater risk of gynaecological problems
- Damage to fetus if pregnant
