Health consequences of drinking alcohol

The concern with drinking alcohol during adolescence is that young people are more susceptible to damage due to their developing brains and bodies. Alcohol use can harm the individual as well as the people around them, both directly and indirectly.

Alcohol use in adolescents and young people can have the following effects on their health and wellbeing: 

Short-term effects

These health effects can take effect almost immediately and last in the range of hours and days. They can include: 

  • slowing or depression of the central nervous system which affects mood, behaviour or self-control
  • altered or risky behaviours due to impaired judgement
  • hangovers (including fatigue, weakness, headaches, anxiety and irritability)
  • nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • conflict between friends and family
  • diuretic effects leading to excess fluid loss and dehydration
  • decreased sex drive and performance through a reduction in testosterone in men
  • high intake of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor items (including poor food choices)
  • sleep disruptions
  • alcohol poisoning
  • alcohol-related injuries.  

Long-term effect

These are the chronic health conditions that accumulate over time with the overuse of alcohol intake. They can include:  

  • ongoing problematic alcohol use
  • mental health issues
  • alcohol-related brain injury or impairment
  • lower immune response, increasing susceptibility to illness
  • heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • certain cancers
  • cardiovascular disease
  • fatty liver disease or alcoholic hepatitis
  • ovulation and menstrual cycle disruptions
  • poor pregnancy health outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight and foetal alcohol syndrome
  • addiction or dependency.

Alcohol related deaths

  • direct deaths due to harmful alcohol consumption, for example alcoholic liver cirrhosis and alcohol poisoning
  • indirect deaths due to alcohol consumption, for example heart failure, homicide, suicide, motor vehicle accidents and unintentional death.

See Secondary risk factors from alcohol and other drugs for more information.

Did you know?

In Australia, alcohol is the second leading cause of drug-related death and hospital admission after tobacco.

The effects of alcohol on any individual will depend on a range of factors, including:

  • the amount consumed
  • how quickly it was consumed
  • how well-hydrated the person is
  • the food consumed during drinking sessions
  • a person’s weight, age and gender
  • a person's ethnicity, physical condition and family history.