The Effects of Alcohol Abuse

Long term alcohol abuse can lead to many health problems that affect quality of life.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the long-term health risks associated with alcoholism are:

• Neurological problems like dementia, stroke, and neuropathy
• Cardiovascular problems
• Psychiatric problems including depression, anxiety, and suicide
• Social problems like unemployment and family problems
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast
• Liver disease such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis
• Pancreatitis and gastritis

Alcoholism attacks the brain as shown below.

The picture below from the UNC School of Medicine shows scans of how the brain is altered by alcohol.

The brain is probably the most important organ in your body, but alcohol doesn't only destroy the brain, it can destroy your entire body.  

There are not many benefits to alcohol consumption, and there is a long list of risks associated with alcohol use or abuse.  Overall, I'd say the risks far outweigh the benefits.