Alcohol's Effect on Bodily Systems and Organs

Central Nervous System

Alcohol use accelerates the loss of brain cells, contributing to cognitive deficits. Alcohol impairs judgment, alertness, memory, hand-eye coordination, and reaction time. In addition, it leads to changes in visual-spatial sense and reduces problem-solving skills. These problems can increase the risk of falls and accidents at home and on the road. Alcohol use can be especially devastating for persons with impaired brain function (e.g., stroke victims, Alzheimer's patients).

Acute intoxication can lead to:

• Loss of balance and coordination
• Interference with vision (e.g., color distinction, tracking moving objects)
• Loss of sensation, causing weakness and inability to feel pain

Chronic excessive alcohol abuse can lead to:

• Delirium tremens (a state of confusion accompanied by trembling and vivid hallucinations) from alcohol withdrawal
• Brain damage
• Peripheral neuropathy, leading to loss of sensation