In 1990, 15% of fatal road accidents were alcohol related and 32% of all pedestrians killed in road accidents were under the influence of alcohol. .
Drinkers may also choke on their own vomit whilst unconscious due to alcohol, but this is very uncommon. .
After a period of alcohol consumption a mixture of factors, mainly withdrawal and dehydration (alcohol dehydrates the body) may cause a hang-over. This is usually means nausea, a headache and sometimes vomiting. However, this may be avoided if the water is drunk (usually at least a pint, if not more if you are a heavy drinker) after a drinking session. .
Mixing alcohol with other depressant drugs (such as tranquillisers or heroin) increases its effects and dangers and can result in a very dangerous cocktail. .
Long term use.
The recommended alcohol limits published by the government are 21 units per week for men and 14 units per week for women. This figure varies widely from country to country and it does not seem to be based around any international medical decision. Sustained drinking can increase the drinkers chance of damaging his or her health. This can lead to liver disease, ulcers, heart/circulation disorders and in extreme cases permanent brain damage (such as Korsakoff's psychosis, a form of permanent amnesia). .
Physical and psychological dependency can occur (commmonly known as addiction). Deaths from suicide, accident and cirrhosis of the liver are common among heavy drinkers. Sudden withdrawal from heavy drinking produces sweating, anxiety and trembling and in some cases can cause delirium and convulsions.
Alcohol and The Law.
Drinking and Driving.
The legal limit for driving in the UK is 80mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood. In practice, there are many factors which can affect some-ones ability to stay under the legal limit and so there is no fail safe guide as to how much some-one can drink before being illegal to drive. The only safe advice is not to drink and drive.
