Alcohol
Complications
These fall under three main headings –
Physical disabilities include liver damage and death from liver failure, inflammation of the pancreas or stomach, anaemia, heart disease, stroke, sexual problems and foetal abnormalities. There may also be neurological damage, especially to the nerves that supply the lower limbs.
Psychological complications include depression, anxiety (worsened with withdrawal from alcohol) and, more rarely hallucinations. Bouts of heavy drinking may lead to memory impairment. Dementia may sometimes develop after prolonged drinking.
Social disabilities include problems in relationships, employment problems, and often, violent and anti-sociable behaviour. Alcohol is implicated in a large proportion of fatal road accidents.