Alcohol can be a fun addition to a party or a relaxing way to unwind after work.  However, abusing alcohol can have serious consequences.

What can start out as a few innocent sips can quickly transform into being charged with a DUI.  In order to make sure that you’re not abusing alcohol, you should inform yourself about the risks.  Here are a few of the ways that alcohol can start to impact your life negatively.

Less Physical Energy

Even a few glasses of wine can leave you feeling groggy and unmotivated when your alarm goes off. Not only will you feel more tired, but you will be dehydrated.  Your body and brain will suffer as a result for as many as several days.

Over time, excessive alcohol abuse will degrade your muscles.  You’re better off limiting your alcohol intake if you have an active lifestyle.  Otherwise, you’ll exhaust yourself.

Increased Appetite

Drinking large quantities of alcohol can increase your appetite.  If you’ve ever found yourself in line for a drive-thru burger after night out on the town, then you know what we’re talking about.

Not only will you be more likely to consume more food the night of drinking, but the next morning as well.

This is a result of a reduction in the hormone leptin, which tells your body when it’s full.

Mental Fatigue

Have you ever found yourself in a fog the day after drinking?  Too much alcohol will result in feeling cloudy-headed and dizzy.   You may be too tired to work and find concentrating difficult.

Since alcohol impairs your ability to enter a deep sleep, you will feel fatigued regardless of how long you rest.

Increased Blood Pressure

People who drink regularly have higher blood pressure than non-drinkers.  High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and even a heart attack.

If you’re someone who already suffers from borderline high blood pressure, then you should avoid alcohol altogether.Increased Depression

Alcohol is a depressant.  Therefore, it’s not uncommon to find yourself feeling blue and negative after a wild night of margaritas.  In addition to being a depressant, alcohol also inhibits your logic.

You may find yourself getting into arguments easier, or taking offense to things you wouldn’t usually be bothered by.  If you’re feeling emotional about something in particular, you shouldn’t drink. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a bad reaction.

Increased Anxiety

Alcohol raises your blood pressure which is no good for anxiety-sufferers.  As a result of increased blood pressure, you will feel more anxious.

It’s no fun sitting around replaying all of the embarrassing things you may have done the night before. You’re better off pacing yourself and only having one or two drinks if you’re prone to alcohol.