Combining alcohol and other drugs (or combining alcohol) causes an increase in the fluid accumulation in the lungs and can lead to chronic lung infections.

Heart

Alcohol causes disturbances in the heart rate and rhythm. If other types of heart disease are present such as hardening of the arteries, the risk of coronary heart disease is greatly increased. Also, in a small percentage of alcoholics, a permanent and progressive disease called cardiomyopathy occurs. Over time, this disease of the heart muscle leads to death from heart failure.

Pancreas

The pancreas is responsible for the production of insulin and the release of chemical enzymes responsible for digestion. Alcohol is the major cause of acute inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis. This can become a chronic disease resulting in increasing death of the pancreas and increasing dysfunction and poor health.

Kidneys

When a person is drinking his or her uninary function increases. With changes in drinking, the body tends to accumulate water. This is not due to disease of the kidneys, but is caused by a change in the hormone aldosterone, that regulates water in the body.

Never mix:

Alcohol and tranquilizers

These substances are both depressants. They slow down thinking, breathing and heartbeat.

Taken in combination, alcohol intensifies the effects of tranquilizers, possibly causing coma or death.

Alcohol and marijuana

Studies show that the combined use of alcohol and marijuana is more hazardous than using either substance alone.

Alcohol and antihistamines when antihistamines are added to alcohol, the effects of the alcohol may sharply increase.