Alcohol Short term effects Long term effects What is Alcohol? Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down the brain and nervous system. Short term effects • relax • feel good • dizzy • react slowly • have blurred vision • slur your words • get angry • vomit • lose your balance • do or say things you normally wouldn't • have trouble controlling how you move (poor coordination) Long term effects • liver and brain damage • poor diet • stomach problems • frequent infections • skin problems • damage to reproductive organs • memory loss/confusion • heart and blood disorders • depression • relationship problems • work problems • money or legal troubles

True or False Alcohol A pint of normal beer is 1 unit of alcohol Alcohol related accidents costs the NHS £3 billion a year Drinking alcohol changes your emotions Alcohol is a stimulant Liver cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy tissue of the liver It takes your liver 1 hour to break down 1 unit of alcohol Drinking alcohol increased your reaction times Alcohol can cause you to slur your words Alcohol causes you to go to the loo more than usual Long term alcohol abuse can cause the brain to shrink