New studies performed have found that drinking causes shrinkage of the brain.  Males are statistically more likely to be heavy drinkers, compared to women.  Although the link between drinking and shrinkage wasn't as strong in men, the statistic still evens out.  Alcohol is known to dehydrate tissues, and constant dehydration can have negative affects on sensitive tissue. 

This could be a good slogan to target youngsters about the dangers of drinking... "The More Alcohol You Drink, The More Your Brain Shrinks!"  The take home message is that if you drink a lot, you're hurting your brain.  This is something most people knew, but this research quantifies that knowledge.  The surprising this that even low levels of alcohol is not protective. 

I heard about this too. Even drinking a healthy amount thats good for your heart makes your brain shrink 2% each decade. Your brain cells never reproduce so it's really bad to kill them.

Brain shrinkage is not the only physiological affect of drinking alcohol.  It causes a number of different diseases that affect the kidneys, liver, and yeah over time decreases your brain capacity.  The whole lifestyle associated with drinking is destructive too.  I was drinking for years and though I would notice things changing with my body, I didn't care too much about it.  Thankfully quit drinking and decided to get up to date with my doctor visits and decided to get a colonoscopy.  I had to have surgery on a small tumor, but if I never would've stopped drinking, I probably never would've went to the doctor in the first place and my condition would've been way worse.

Jasper said: Brain shrinkage is not the only physiological affect of drinking alcohol.  It causes a number of different diseases that affect the kidneys, liver, and yeah over time decreases your brain capacity.  The whole lifestyle associated with drinking is destructive too.  I was drinking for years and though I would notice things changing with my body, I didn't care too much about it.  Thankfully quit drinking and decided to get up to date with my doctor visits and decided to get a colonoscopy.  I had to have surgery on a small tumor, but if I never would've stopped drinking, I probably never would've went to the doctor in the first place and my condition would've been way worse.

Thats so good that you stopped then. Imagine how much worse your condition could've gotten if you didn't stop drinking and didn't go to the doctor. Drugs and alcohol can get in the way so much and we never notice the effects it causes not just in our health, but with our time, responsibilies and relationships. Like as you said you wouldn't have gone to the doctor if you didn't stop drinking, think of how much more things you can do now that drinking wont be getting in the way anymore.

Drugs and alcohol can get in the way of a relationship so much. Whether its a relationship with your kids, parents, family, friends, or a romantic one. When your under the influence your oblivious to everyones feelings but your own. You cant sense when you've hurt someone, or when someones trying to help you. In the end you may  end up losing someone you really don't want to lose. It's important everyone stays aware of that and never lets their dependency get the better of them.