 We explain what alcohol does to your body. This is Michael. He enjoys going out and drinking at the weekend. Sometimes a bit more than he should. He's worried that it might be affecting his health. What exactly is alcohol doing to him? Michael knows that alcohol is used to describe beverages containing ethanol. Depending on their amount and volume percentage, some drinks are stronger than others. The intoxicating effects of alcohol are caused by ethanol entering the bloodstream faster than the liver can break it down. Thus changing the signals sent from the brain to other parts of the body. This causes the euphoric and relaxed experience of being drunk, but it also has its risks. Lower doses of alcohol cause Michael to lose his sense of balance and ability to make decisions. He might even be sick because alcohol can irritate the stomach and have a negative effect on the inner ear. Higher doses of alcohol are far more dangerous, particularly if consumed regularly, because areas of the brain responsible for breathing, heart rate and temperature control begin to shut down. Long-term problems can include addiction, liver disease, high blood pressure and cancer. Alcohol's effect upon the central nervous system can lead to coma and even death. To minimize damage to health and society, each country has its own laws on alcohol, including the amount Michael can drink before driving a vehicle on the road. They may also have guidelines for how much alcohol is safe to drink each day. Michael is glad that he now knows the dangers of alcohol and how it affects his body. So if you consume alcohol, drink responsibly.