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The Effects of Binge Drinking

Thursday 28th May 2009

A drink-by-drink guide to the effects of alcohol on your mind and body. 

One medium drink (around two units):

• You’re talkative and you feel relaxed.
• Your self-confidence increases.
• You may be over the drink-driving limit.

Two medium drinks (four units):

• Your blood flow increases.
• You feel less inhibited and your attention span is shorter.
• You start dehydrating, one of the causes of a hangover.

Three medium drinks (six units):

• Your libido (sex drive) increases.
• Your reaction time is slower.
• Your liver is having to work harder.

Four medium drinks (eight units):

• You’re easily confused.
• You’re noticeably emotional. 
• Your libido (sex drive) decreases.

Five medium drinks (10 units):

• Your vision may be blurred.
• Wine drinkers have drunk the calorie equivalent of four Mars bars.
• If you drive, you're 20 times more likely to have an accident.

Six medium drinks (12 units):

• You may become obnoxious to others.
• You may become depressed.
• You may be slurring your speech and may have poor co-ordination and balance.

Eight medium drinks (16 units):

• You’ll find it very hard to control what you say and do.
• You may feel nauseous.
• You may lose bladder control in a half-asleep state. 
• You're at risk of losing consciousness.

Nine to 10 medium drinks and more (18 units+):

• Strong likelihood of losing consciousness.
• You may become incontinent.
• You face an increased heart attack risk.
• You’re at risk of breathing in your own vomit and suffocating.

Article extracted from the NHS Choices website.  Last reviewed: 15/08/2008. Next review due: 15/08/2010

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The Effects of Binge Drinking