Problem in developing countries causing concern: WHO

Although alcohol consumption has occurred for thousands of years, many of the varied health effects have been discovered fairly recently, according to a World Health Organization report.

Alcohol consumption has health and social consequences via intoxication (drunkenness), dependence (habitual, compulsive and long-term drinking), and other biochemical effects.

In addition to chronic diseases that may affect drinkers after many years of heavy use, alcohol contributes to traumatic outcomes that kill or disable at a relatively young age, resulting in the loss of many years of life to death or disability.