People drink to socialize, celebrate, and relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people – and throughout history, we’ve struggled to understand and manage alcohol’s power. Why does alcohol cause us to act and feel differently? How much is too much? Why do some people develop alcohol use disorder while others do not?

NIAAA is researching these and other questions about alcohol. Findings include: 

Alcohol’s effects vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors, including:

• How much you drink
• How often you drink
• Your age
• Your health status
• Your family history

Drinking too much can cause a range of consequences, and increase your risk for a variety of problems.

Consequences of drinking too much
Alcohol’s effects can appear rapidly. As you drink, you increase your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which is the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream. The higher your BAC, the more impaired you become by alcohol’s effects. These effects can include:

• Reduced inhibitions
• Slurred speech
• Motor impairment
• Confusion
• Memory problems
• Concentration problems
• Coma
• Breathing problems
• Death

Alcohol is a significant factor for the following consequences:

• Car crashes and other accidents
• Unsafe sexual behavior
• Sexual assault
• Suicide and homicide

People who drink too much over a long period of time may experience alcohol’s longer-term effects, which can include:

Alcohol use disorder
Health problems
Increased risk for certain cancers