Alcohol has both short-term and long-lasting effects on the body and mind. The effects of alcohol can linger in the body for several hours and, even days, after consumption, depending on factors such as metabolism, body weight, and how much a person drinks.
Side effects can include depression, anxiety, difficulty focusing, fatigue, and overeating, which may negatively impact academic performance and mental health.
Teenagers and young adults are more likely to engage in heavy binge drinking than other age groups, compounding risks such as serious long-term conditions, including dementia. Drinking alcohol in adolescence carries several dangers, especially since the brain isn’t fully developed until a person’s mid-to-late 20s. According to a study involving 43,000 people published in Pediatrics by Hingson, Heeren, and Winter, more than 60% of individuals with alcohol dependence developed it before age 25, and nearly half before age 21.
As drinking increases, so does the risk of depression. Alcohol is a leading cause of depression and mental health disorders across the world. It worsens these symptoms and even increases the risk of suicide among youth (Alsuhaibani et al., 2021).
A blurry view can lead you down the wrong path. The problem isn’t just the consumption of alcohol it’s the misuse and overconsumption of it during adolescence, when the prefrontal cortex is still developing (Song et al., 2024). This part of the brain is responsible for decision-making, assessing risks, and prioritization. When heavy drinking is added to the mix, it increases high-risk behavior and the likelihood of both physical and mental harm.
High level of alcohol consumption also causes pounding in the head, waves of nausea, and cringing at moments you don’t recall that well, or as some people put it, hangxiety. Hangxiety refers to the mixture of anxiety and a hangover that happens after drinking, which are two things that definitely don’t go hand in hand. Research has found that around one in five people experience this anxious aftermath, sometimes describing it as a wave of fear or even a mild panic attack, making the hangover feel much worse.
It’s important to understand what alcohol does to your body. There’s a fine line between having fun drinking with friends responsibly and becoming alcohol dependent. Find a balance that doesn’t disrupt your peace take care of your body and make healthy choices. When alcohol begins to interfere with your daily routine, such as late homework submissions, disordered sleeping or eating habits, and declining mental health, it’s a sign to make a change.
Understanding the long-term effects of drinking while in college can help students make smarter decisions that protect their health in the long run. Have your fun and live while you’re young but remember, your body is only given to you once. Treat it the way it deserves.
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Alsuhaibani, R., Smith, D. C., Lowrie, R., Aljhani, S., & Paudyal, V. (2021). Scope, quality and inclusivity of international clinical guidelines on mental health and substance abuse in relation to dual diagnosis, social and community outcomes: A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 209. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03207-z
Hingson, R., Heeren, T., & Winter, M. (2006). Age of alcohol dependence onset: Associations with severity of dependence and seeking treatment. Pediatrics, 118(3), e755–e763. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-0223
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol use in the United States: Age groups and demographic characteristics. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics-z/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
