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Talk about alcohol

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Alcohol Fact File

The effect of alcohol on a person

The effect depends on the person - everyone reacts differently to the same amount of alcohol. It depends on a number of things, including gender, size, and weight. Even for the same person, it depends on what they've been drinking, and whether they've eaten anything first.

It depends on age too. Laws regulate purchase and consumption of alcohol by young people because they are less well equipped to cope with the effects of alcohol, physically and emotionally. The same amount of alcohol will have a much greater effect on the body of a child or young person than on an adult, because their bodies are still growing and developing. Also, a young person doesn't have the experience needed to deal with the effects of alcohol on judgement and perception.

After a drink or two
  • The drinker's confidence increases; they may feel less self-conscious, bolder and more talkative
  • Their attention span shortens and their judgement is affected - they may say or do things that are out of character


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Up to 70% of all admissions to hospital accident and emergency departments in England are linked to alcohol misuse.

Source: PMSU Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, March 2004
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