The deadly effects of binge drinking

There's no harm in having a night out with friends every once in a while or passing the time with a glass or two of wine.

But once indulging becomes abuse and alcohol turns to poison in the body, that's where the complications start.

In an episode of Brigada on Tuesday, Nelson Canlas set about learning the dangerous effects of binge drinking.

There are about five million regular drinkers in the Philippines, and most of them are men.

One of these men is Carlito Revadulla, a quiet elderly man who makes a living by farming during the day, and when evening hits and along with it the alcohol, he turns into a different person.

"Kami po kahit walang kadahilanan away po ang aabutin. Dahil siguro sa alak, dala ng bunga ng alak, 'yun na magpasimula ng gulo," said his neighbor Allan Godinez.

Carlito revealed that he even once chased someone down with a bolo knife.

Health complications

Aside from affecting the personality and cognitive abilities of a person, which sometimes lead to violence or accidents, alcohol also affects the body's organs.

Rajeb Saromandang is only 31 years old, but has already developed Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

He said this is largely because of substance abuse during his younger years, during which he often went out drinking and smoking with his friends or officemates,

"Gusto ko lang maging kasama barkada, katrabaho, minsan birthday, minsan nagkayayaan lang," he recalled.

Everything changed when he was diagnosed. It was hard on his wife Monica, and it affected their financial situation and their lifestyle.

While before they could afford to travel, now all their money goes to medicine. Rajeb said they even resorted to pawning some of their belongings.

Even if they could afford a kidney transplant, which costs a small fortune, Monica said her husband's heart would not be able to take it because the left side of his heart is no longer functioning.

So what exactly happens to the body when it consumes too much alcohol?

According to the episode, the heart weakens because it is pumping contaminated blood throughout the whole body. The brain deteriorates because alcohol affects neurons and brain cells. It is also hard on the pancreas, kidneys, and bladder.

It is said that drinking a glass or two of alcohol might be good for the body due to its antioxidant properties. But be careful not to go past three or four glasses a day so as not to abuse the alcohol. —Jessica Bartolome/ALG, GMA News