Men drink more alcohol than women, but women who drink are at a much higher risk for alcohol-related problems. Short-term problems from excessive drinking can include amnesia, coma, and alcohol poisoning. In the long run, alcohol abuse can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, liver disease, stroke, and various cancers. For many of these alcohol-related problems, women who drink progress to the more serious stages of these diseases more quickly and may be more likely to die from them.