Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even
low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive
safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident.
Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of
aggressive acts, including peer, spouse, and child abuse. Moderate to high
doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely
altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses
cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of
the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects
just described.
Repeated use of alcohol can lead to dependence. Sudden cessation of alcohol
intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety,
tremors, hallucination, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be lifethreatening.
Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly
when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital
organs such as the brain and the liver.