Excessive Alcohol Intake: 5 Dangerous Effects Of Chronic Heavy Drinking

For most people, there is no harm in moderate drinking. The problem usually lies on excessive alcohol intake for long periods of time. In fact, not many people know that such a problem can lead to long-term adverse effects on heavy drinkers.

Naturally, every person has already experienced excessive drinking. While that isn't too bad of a habit, people who drink heavily on a regular basis are at risk of suffering from one (or more) of the following effects:

1. Depression

Many people drink excessive amounts of alcohol in order to feel happy and forget about their everyday problems. However, heavy drinking can only provide feelings of happiness for a very short period of time.

"It's long been known that heavy drinking often goes hand in hand with depression, but there has been debate about which came first -- the drinking or the depression," WebMD shares. "But a large study from New Zealand showed that it was probably the other way around -- that is, heavy drinking led to depression."

2. Dementia

One of the worst possible effects of chronic heavy drinking is dementia. This health condition involves memory loss and impaired brain function. Chronic heavy drinking can also speed up the process of brain shrinkage.

3. Seizures

Excessive alcohol intake can cause epileptic seizures in people without epilepsy. Alcohol can also interfere with the effects of medication for convulsions.

4. Cardiovascular Disease

Heavy drinking can also lead to clumping of platelets which can then result in blood clots. Blood clots are major causes of stroke and heart attack.

5. Cancer

Increased cancer risk is also one of the most dangerous effects of chronic heavy drinking. "Scientists believe the increased risk comes when the body converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a potent carcinogen," WebMD explains. Cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, breast and colorectal region are the most common cancers associated with chronic heavy drinking.