How Does Alcohol Affect The Brain

Alcohol is a depressant that slowly begins to have an effect on the functions of the body. The alcohol quickly enters the bloodstream and then is carried throughout the body. The effect of excessive use of alcohol affects every system in the body, especially the brain, liver, and heart. These effects it has on the body is significant.
The alteration of behavior is the first effect of alcohol affecting the brain. The brain is the central control system that controls muscle movement and memory process. The effect of alcohol on the brain slows down its function and interferes with muscle movement and memory process. When the brain begins to slow down it interferes with speech, coordination, balance, and the ability to walk. According to a clinical study of Acute Effects of Alcohol…, “Alcohol consumption has immediate effects on multiple cognitive-motor processing domains and leads to damage of multiple attentional abilities” (Zheng, et al). When the effects of alcohol affect the memory it can lead to blackouts and short-term
The liver metabolizes alcohol after consumption, reducing its toxic effects and clearing it from the body. The liver can only metabolize a certain amount of alcohol at one time; excessive alcohol affects the function of the liver. If the liver cannot process the alcohol quickly it can contribute to damage of liver cells. Liver damage can produce liver disease, such as cirrhosis. According to American Liver Foundation, “Cirrhosis refers to the replacement of normal liver tissue with non-living scar tissue…drinking too much alcohol can cause the liver to swell, which over time can lead to cirrhosis” (Cirrhosis). When liver disease progresses to cirrhosis it affects its functionality by blocking the flow of blood through the liver. The effect of alcohol on the liver can lead to liver failure requiring intensive treatment, a liver transplant, or can potentially be