When you get drunk, your body is not functioning properly. Alcohol enters your blood through the stomach and small intestine. Then, it goes up to the brain and slows your body’s functions. Alcohol slows down how you think and react. It can change the way you act and cause you to make poor decisions.
Alcohol doesn’t kill brain cells, but you should know that it does make it harder for the neurons of the brain to communicate. That’s why you lose coordination and see changes in your behavior. You might notice slurred speech and a loss of balance.
What are the short-term effects of alcohol?
The short-term effects of alcohol impairment include:
- Impaired judgment
- A lack of motor control or changes in motor control
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination
- And many others.
As a result of these effects, you could be at an increased risk of violence, falls or auto accidents.
Can you sober up with caffeine?
No, and this is a dangerous myth that could get you into trouble. When you combine energy drinks or beverages containing caffeine with alcohol, the caffeine is like a “pick-me-up.” Unfortunately, you may feel more alert, which can lead to drinking more than expected. People who drink alcohol and energy drinks together in a caffeinated alcoholic beverage are reportedly twice as likely to say that they’ve driven with a driver who was intoxicated behind the wheel, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you drink and drive, you’re putting more than your license on the line. If you’re facing charges, you can look into building a defense.
