09/10/2026
🍷HEALTH FACT FRIDAY | WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY AFTER YOU DRINK ALCOHOL?
You might feel fine after a drink or two — but your body may already be responding to alcohol.
Alcohol can affect the brain relatively quickly, interfering with judgement, attention, coordination and reaction time.
Here are some effects you may not have considered:
🧠 YOUR JUDGEMENT CAN CHANGE
Alcohol can impair decision-making and reduce inhibitions before obvious signs of intoxication appear.
⚡ YOUR REACTION TIME CAN SLOW
Coordination and reaction time can be affected before someone necessarily looks or feels drunk.
💧 YOU MAY LOSE MORE FLUID
Alcohol suppresses vasopressin, increasing urination and potentially contributing to dehydration.
😴 ALCOHOL DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN BETTER SLEEP
It may help you fall asleep faster, but can disrupt sleep and contribute to earlier waking.
☕ AND NO — COFFEE DOESN'T SOBER YOU UP.
It may make you feel more alert, but doesn't restore the judgement or coordination affected by alcohol.
👷 WHY DOES THIS MATTER AT WORK?
Alcohol-related impairment is particularly important in workplaces involving driving, machinery, heights, hazardous environments or safety-critical tasks.
Someone doesn't necessarily need to look drunk for their ability to perform a task safely to be affected.
At First Choice Occupational Health, we look beyond illness to help workplaces understand health risks, support employees and create safer working environments.
💜 Healthy Employees. Safer Workplaces. Better Outcomes.
📞 011 908 6890
📧 [email protected]
🌐 firstchoice-occhealth.co.za/services/
What surprised you most about how alcohol affects the body?
