Alcohol

Alcohol

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Introduction

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant contained in most standard drinks, globally meant to relax the mind. Many supporters to this statement will argue that alcoholic drinks ‘kill’ time in any social gathering where they get to reflect on their hectic schedules and release their so-called tension with the gulps. Most of the advertisements have an almost subliminal message in a deliberately shrunk size that reads in part, “excessive alcohol is harmful for your health.” Just how much is “excessive”? People respond differently to alcohol, and its adverse effects range from how frequent it is allowed in the system of the body and how vulnerable the system is to its administration. Alcoholic beverages consist of ethyl alcohol and have different intensity. Once invaded by alcohol, the composition of blood changes and it determines its detrimental effects on the individual. The brain becomes distracted in the first five minutes hence the giddy or drowsy feeling that one experiences. Too much of alcohol drinks concocts a higher alcoholic composition in the blood, which the body is unable to break down effectively. There are diverse causes of short-term alcohol effects ranging from the amount of alcohol consumed, whether the drinker is of sound mind, the nature of the body system, eating pattern, how long the drinker has indulged and even reason for drinking.

Effects of Alcohol

Short-term effects

As the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases, the effects of alcohol on the individual changes gradually and escalate gradually from short-term to long-term. The short-term effects refer to the momentary impact the drinker experiences while the long-term effects are regrettably permanent impacts. Some of the short-time effects include the drinker being confident in speech and expression. Within the first five minutes and with a concentration of .05g% of alcohol in the blood, the brain has been triggered, and the individual looks relaxed and assured of himself since he develops a high self-concept. Past this concentration in the blood to .08g%, the drinker is at risk even with the high esteem until the speech becomes slurred as the concentration constantly increases. The drinker is unable to maintain equilibrium and has a relatively sluggish response to stimuli. There is interference in sight as visual focus is not compatible with reality. This is where the drinker becomes revolted and has mixed feelings. As the concentration increases from .15-.30g% in the blood, the individual becomes overwhelmed and is subject to unconsciousness any time. He or she experiences difficulty in respiration becomes excessively weak and loses track of memory. The short-term effects pave the way for diseases and the output of the individual drastically drops.

Long-term effects and health issues

Coma and death are the ultimate effects of alcohol, which happen under intoxication. Too much of alcohol intake into the blood system is tantamount to the dysfunction of other body systems or loss of one’s life. The drinker becomes vulnerable liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis since it is overworked to break down the excessive alcohol in the blood. High blood pressure or stroke can also follow suit. Others health issues affiliated to this are heart damage, risk of breast cancer, insomnia, brain damage, memory problems, increased risk of breast cancer, sexual impotence or reduced fertility and cancer of the digestive system. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should also avoid alcohol since it can destroy the fetus in the womb. The health issues in this regard need to be taken into consideration for the sake of the individual’s well-being.

Effect on relationships

Alcohol also extends its effects on relationships based on family and friends. An alcoholic, therefore, subjects the people around him to emotional abuse, which unwillingly changes their lifestyles to distress. The alcoholic becomes insensitive to the feelings of his relatives by jumping into conclusions irrelevantly and even having patronizing remarks. The social time is also cut off leaving friends or family lonely since the alcoholic does not spend quality time with them, wallowing in the miasma of alcohol. In such times, the family or friends are strained to take care of the alcoholic at their own expense. They are inconvenienced, and their activities are delayed or stopped. Spouses are forced to stop their jobs to attend to their alcoholic counterparts. More often than not, fights arise due to misunderstandings following the detrimental nature of alcohol. The cases include complex themes like child abuse and domestic violence. Sometimes, the alcoholic becomes withdrawn and cuts down links with the family and friends because of guilt and his powerless state regarding alcohol. Therefore, alcohol can build a chain of remorse by close relatives.

Effect on finances

Purchasing of alcoholic drinks requires money and continuous dependence on alcohol diverts money from other responsibilities to its attention. Consequently, the income an alcoholic gets is spent on nothing but alcohol. This is a major setback in accomplishing certain set goals. It gets worse when it results to stealing or selling property for lack of money to satisfy the alcoholic urge. The alcoholic ends up a wreck without a turgid financial direction.

Effect on the individual’s output

Once a person becomes an alcoholic, they lose focus in life and find executing their responsibilities at work as a tall order. The span of concentration is gradually minimized, evidently reducing the spectrum of the output. For example, In some cases, alcoholics lose their jobs for underperforming or for breaching the job contract.

Alcohol and other drugs

It is not advised that people consume alcohol while they are on medication because alcohol alters the process by acting as a catalyst. It can magnify or reduce the working power of the drugs prescribed. This also applies for over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers or sleeping pills. A combination of the two produces a negative result.

Addiction

Addiction refers to the dependence to a particular thing to feel fulfilled. Most drinkers who have a heavy reliance on alcohol resort to addiction and increase consumption on a regular basis. Alcoholics have a high alcohol tolerance and are addicted to it as the core point in their lives regardless of its adversity. It becomes a hurdle for the drinker to have power over the drinking or much less, bring it to a standstill. He cannot quit even if he wants. Most alcoholics view alcohol as something that enlivens their moods while they are stressed not knowing that this is a license to problems. Addicts spend a lot of time on drinking; disregarding other endeavors, they are supposedly committed. Their world is surrounded by alcoholic drinks and nothing else, and they are sunk into the unfortunate situations with the pitiful perspective of their inability to stop. Denial is obviously the picture painted with illogical justifications for the act. Alcoholism can sprout from a relationship altercation or split, loss of a job or a loved one.

Legal implications

In every country, there are laws, which govern the consumption of alcohol by a person. Such laws include striking cautions like ‘do not drink and drive’, ‘not for sale for persons below 18 years’ and other stipulated laws go as far a standard routine time for drinking. Therefore, all the social drinkers must only assemble to drink at specific times. These rules govern the behavior of drinkers so that they do not become nuisances. Young people who are less than 18 years of age are not entitled to drink alcohol because they stand greater chances of developing health issues, which might end up being long-term. Active drinkers should not drive since they not only endanger their lives but those of others. With drinkers driving, there will be a higher percentage of road accidents. Hence, any government would like to counter such a risk with so much impetus. Disorderly conduct due to excessive alcohol consumption such as fighting and destruction of property can also take its toll on the individual when they irritatingly brush the nose of an arrest. The police are authorized to survey whether bars and pubs have followed the rules to the letter while the media is meant to adhere to certain when relaying information pertaining to alcohol and alcoholic drinks.

Theoretical basis

There are certain theories and models that explain alcoholism and alcoholic abuse. One is the chaos theory, which serves as a guide to scientists in determining the complexity of the subject. Therefore, in relation to alcoholism, it enhances the comprehension of complex alcohol abuse patterns as articulated by new studies. It attempts to analyze the behavior of alcoholics by explaining their regular consumptions against feelings towards the consumption. An alcoholic might be guilty enough to reduce the amount of alcoholic drink if he feels him or her drunk too much on the previous day. However, this does not mean he or she reduces the amount as he increased it the on earlier days. The theory attempts to bring out the idea that the previous consumption influences the pattern in the subsequent days. The theory also explores the scope of alcoholism and the suggested treatments that may not a considerable effect on the individual. According to the theory, an advanced stage of alcoholism may be confused with recovery.

Conclusion

Overall, excessive consumption of alcohol points to serious effects, which imply radical destruction of an individual’s life. In spite of some reports, claiming that suitable intake of alcohol has certain benefits; its disadvantages take central ground. Whether short-term or long-term, the risks are quite alarming leaving people to maintain a steady and healthy life. Alcohol should not be mistaken to be the refuge one sorts for in times of depression or stress. This vague idea can cost one a family, a friend or his life since it will become a habit that will tedious to evade. On the other hand, one can succumb to a minimal and recommended percentage of alcoholic content and intake. However, people should drink responsibly and put to heart the rules that pertain to drinking. It is mandatory to weigh the pros and cons in alcohol consumption.

 

References

Continuing Legal Education in Colorado. (2000). Drugs and alcohol in the workplace: Legal issues for employers and employees. Denver, Colo: Colorado Bar CLE.

Gifford, M. (2010). Alcoholism. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood Press/ABC-CLIO.

Ilbey, M. M., Asghar, K., & National Institute on Drug Abuse. (1991). Methodological issues in controlled studies on effects of prenatal exposure to drug abuse. Rockville, MD: U.S. Dept. Of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Murdock, C. G. (1998). Domesticating drink: Women, men, and alcohol in America, 1870-1940. Baltimore, Md: JohnsHopkinsUniversity Press.

St, C. H. R. (1991). Recognizing alcoholism and its effects: A mini-guide. Basel: Karger.

Whitehead, P. C. (1977). Alcohol and young drivers: Impact and implications of lowering the drinking age. Ottawa: Research Bureau, Non-Medical Use of Drugs Directorate, Health Protection Branch, Dept. Of National Health and Welfare.

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