Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of stroke. That glass of wine with dinner might do more for you than take the edge off a long day. Check out these possible health benefits of drinking in moderation by clicking through the WebMD slideshow. Alcohol misuse refers to drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the person who drinks or to those around them. Alcohol misuse includes binge drinking and heavy alcohol use. Health experts caution against drinking too much, but alcohol is everywhere. Experts say the things that make us pour another drink are in our body and environment. When it comes to alcohol, if you don't drink, don't start for health reasons. Drinking moderately if you're otherwise healthy may be a risk you're willing to take. But heavy drinking carries a much higher risk even for those without other health concerns. Be sure to ask your healthcare professional about what's right for your health and safety. Drinking less is better for your health than drinking more. You can lower your health risks by drinking less or choosing not to drink. Your liver can only process small amounts of alcohol. The rest of the alcohol can harm your liver and other organs as it moves through the body. Drinking is the act of ingesting water or other liquids into the body through the mouth, proboscis, or elsewhere. Humans drink by swallowing, completed by peristalsis in the esophagus. The physiological processes of drinking vary widely among other animals. So what actually happens to your body when you stop drinking alcohol? We asked experts to break down everything you might notice immediately, as well as the effects that can continue long after. Excessive drinking on an occasion or over time increases your risk of illness, injury, and chronic disease. It can also lead to social, emotional, and mental health challenges. Drinking less alcohol can prevent these harms and lead to a better quality of life—for yourself and others. In this guide, we'll explore 15 short and long-term signs that you're drinking too much, including symptoms that don't necessarily involve a hangover.