Final answer:
Consuming alcohol before or during vessel operation impairs judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents. Long-term excessive consumption can cause serious health issues, including liver and kidney disease. For pregnant individuals, alcohol can harm fetal development, leading to FASD.
Step-by-step explanation:
Consuming alcohol before or during vessel operation can lead to several negative consequences. Impaired judgment, loss of coordination, and blurred vision are some immediate effects due to alcohol's impact on the brain. These conditions greatly enhance the risk of accidents, similar to how it's estimated that 50 percent of road accidents in Australia are linked to alcohol overconsumption. Chronic effects of heavy drinking include physiological disorders like liver cirrhosis, kidney diseases, and an increased risk of certain forms of cancer.
Acute alcohol consumption results in changes to consciousness and can induce feelings of euphoria at low doses, but sedation and reduced behavioral control at higher doses. There's also a statistically noted positive aspect in the case of moderate drinking, suggesting those who consume alcohol regularly and moderately could potentially have a longer lifespan than abstainers. However, the risks associated with high levels of consumption, particularly while operating a vessel, far outweigh potential benefits.
Drinking alcohol also has serious effects on the excretory system, including dehydration due to the inhibition of a hormone that causes our bodies to retain water. Over the long term, excessive alcohol use can cause serious health consequences, such as liver and kidney disease, and increases the risk of high blood pressure, which is a common cause of kidney failure. For pregnant individuals, alcohol intake can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in the unborn child, as alcohol can cross the placenta.