What is a short-term side effect of alcohol and other drugs?

Disrupted sleep is a well-recognized short-term side effect of alcohol and other drugs. When consumed, these substances can affect the brain's ability to regulate sleep cycles, leading to difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experiencing restful sleep. Alcohol, for example, can cause a sedative effect initially, but as it metabolizes, it can lead to awakenings during the night and a decrease in the overall quality of sleep.

Some of the other options, while they can be effects of certain drugs or excessive alcohol use, are not universally recognized as common short-term side effects across various substances. Forgetfulness can occur, but it's often a more long-term cognitive effect rather than a immediate response. Similarly, shortness of breath is more associated with specific drugs or acute respiratory reactions rather than a general short-term effect of alcohol. Temporary blindness is an unusual and severe reaction that is not typically classified as a short-term side effect of alcohol or commonly used drugs.