Employee Factsheet: Alcohol

The short-term effects of drinking are reversible. Symptoms should improve if the intake of alcohol is reduced.

Long-term alcohol misuse can contribute to a number of illnesses and ill health, including liver disease, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, infertility, heart disease and brain damage.

It can also lead to an increased risk of a variety of cancers, particularly breast cancer, mouth cancer and stomach cancer. It is also frequently associated with mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

The short-term health risks of alcohol include:

• being more prone to accidental injuries

• sexual difficulties ranging from loss of libido to high-risk sexual encounters