There are no doping specific side-effects of alcohol abuse known. Biomedical side effects classify only two main options like acute side effects and chronic side effects.
- Acute side effects are…:
…vomiting, inebriation, hyperventilation, alcoholic intoxication, dizziness, limited consciousness, headache, diarrhea, risk of vomiting and aspiration, excitatory state, coma.
- Chronic side effects are…:
…alcoholic hepatitis, limited consciousness, alcoholic intoxication, renal side effects, fatty liver, cirrhosis of the liver, neuronal side effects, risk of apnoea and cardiac arrest.
Crosstalk:
Alcohol
Alcohol (ethanol) quickly crosses the blood-brain barrier and influences membranes, ion channels, enzymes, and receptors of neurons in the central nervous system. The effects of alcohol on the central nervous system include slowing nerve conductance, blocking release and synthesis of acetylcholine, decreasing serotonin turnover, increasing release of dopamine and glucose utilization in the brain. Temporarily alcohol stimulates noradrenergic system giving a boost of energy which is followed by a decrease of its activity associated with feeling of depression. In sport, alcohol may be consumed for its potential positive effects on psychological well-being, for reduction of tension and anxiety, enhancing effect of self-confidence and for promoting aggressiveness. For this reason alcohol is prohibited in-competition in sports such as archery, shooting and motorsports. Acting initially as a stimulant, alcohol ultimately depresses neurological function (impaired memory, visual perception, speech, motor co-ordination) in direct relation to blood alcohol concentration.
