Which of physical consequences to consider depends on the clinical situation. In Phil's case it is appropriate to exclude:

• cardiac arrythymia
• diabetes
• evidence of trauma effects

The major physical consequences of heavy drinking include:

• liver disease, gastritis, pancreatitis
• hypertension, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias
• strokes, brain damage
• cancer of mouth, larynx, oesophagus
• a contribution to breast and colon cancer
• nutritional deficiencies, obesity
• diabetes, gout
• myopathy, neuropathy
• sexual dysfunction, infertility
• fetal alcohol effects
• haemopoetic toxicity
• reactions with other drugs
• intoxication-related problems - acute alcohol poisoning, accident and trauma

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