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Effects Of Alcohol On The Body 's Organs And Brain Activity

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Alcohol is a recreational drug which contains ethanol (Drugfreeworld.org, 2016), a depressant that prolongs the messages from the brain to the body affecting the way one thinks, feels and behaves (Alcoholthinkagain.com.au, 2014). Excessive alcohol consumption can have many negative effects on the body’s organs and brain activity. Major health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, depression, gout and pancreatitis can occur as a result of consuming large quantities of alcohol and have the potential to be fatal (Freeman, 2016). Binge Drinking is the act of consuming an excessive amount of alcoholic beverages within a short period of time with intentions to become heavily intoxicated (Dictionary.com,2014). Males in there 40’s and late 20’s are most likely to exceed the recommended level of alcohol consumption and young women aged 18-24 are foreseen to excessively drink alcoholic beverages (Nhmrc.gov.au, 2015). Adolescents aged 13-17 also engage in excessive drinking although evoked due to observing others such as guardians, siblings and peers as well as the existence of peer pressure to consume alcohol and appear socially acceptable. Binge Drinking will have short term effects on the health of an individual leading to memory loss, vomiting and headaches and long term effects such as anxiety, a variety of cancers and infertility (Knowyourlimits.info, 2013). In Australia 15 individuals die from these alcohol related diseases and illnesses each day (Santow, 2014).

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