The Effects of Alcohol on the Body

The effects of alcohol on the body

Alcohol is one of many dangerous substances that effects our bodies. The effects of this drug can be very harmful. Alcohol is a potent non-prescription drug sold to anyone over the national legal drinking age, 21. Unlike other deadly drugs it is easy to access. This makes it easy to over-consume and create a tragic accident, even death. It can damage a person not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Many people each year become more and more addicted to alcohol and soon experience all of it's dangerous effects. Even if alcohol use is discontinued, some of these damages can not be cured, because the scars have been left on those that drink and those that surround them. The only hope of truly avoiding the effects of alcohol is complete abstinence from the drug.

Alcohol counts for a large percentage of accidents and deaths among people of all gender, and age each year. Every year alcohol is responsible for 1/2 of all murders, accidental deaths, and suicides; 1/3 of all drowning, boating, and aviation deaths; 1/2 of all crimes; and almost 1/2 of all fatal automobile accidents. (Alcolimit.com December 4).

The amount of alcohol consumed by each gender differs.

Men are more likely to drink, and they drink more heavily than women, though in some cases it is vice versa and this does not exclude women from being capable of drinking heavily.(http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 9). Whether it be a large or small amount 89% of men and 85% of women consume some alcohol each year. (http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 10)

18% of men and 29% of women do not drink or drink less than once a month. (http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 10) Men consume 73% of all alcohol. 83% of the top 10% of drinkers are male. (http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 10) On average the top 5% of male drinkers consume the equivalent of 63 cans of beer a week. (http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 10)

On average the top 5% of female drinkers consume the equivalent of 25 cans of beer a week. (http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 10)

19% of male drinkers and 10% of female drinkers drink every day. (http://www.alcohol.org.nz/effects December 10) Studies have shown that males are more likely to drink as women, but women are not so far behind. Everyone experiences the effects of alcohol, regardless of gender.

Everyone that consumes alcohol is effected differently. Some people have higher tolerance levels. Some may have more food in their stomach than others.(Langone, Book 45) Food becomes a big factor when you are drinking. (Langone, Book, 45) If you have a lot of food in your stomach to absorb the alcohol, instead of it being absorbed into your blood stream, then you won't be intoxicated as fast. (Langone, Book, 45) Weight can also determine your tolerance and speed of intoxication(Langone, Book 45) Since our bodies are 70% water, alcohol is diluted some. A small person has less water for the alcohol to dilute in than someone who is bigger. (Langone, Book 45) A single drink may even be all it takes to impair judgment. (www.alcolimit.com November 27) Some people believe that by becoming a "seasoned" drinker they are more tolerant to the alcohol they put into their bodies.(Langone, Book, 85) However being a seasoned drinker does not make you use to alcohol because you can become seriously impair by even the smallest quantities.(Langone, Book, 85) The effects of alcohol is different among all people depending on size, weight, time and amount of alcohol consumed.

The physical results of drinking alcohol can be life-threatening. Within moments of ingestion, alcohol moves from the blood stream into every part of the body that contains water. (Vasap.state/effects.com November 30) This includes major organs like the brain, lungs, kidneys, and heart. (Vasap.state/effects.com November 30) Alcohol stimulates and agitates, depresses and sedates, produces calmness and tranquillity, and begins a hypnotic state of drowsiness and sleep. (Vasap.state/effects.com November 30) Alcohol impairs your judgment, and strongly affects motor skills, muscle function, reaction time, eyesight, depth perception, and night vision.( Alcoholism." World Book Encyclopedia. 1997ed. 335-338.) As a drinker continues to drink, alcohol depresses lung and heart function, slowing breathing and circulation.( Alcoholism." World Book Encyclopedia. 1997ed. 335-338.) Death can occur if alcohol completely paralyzes breathing.( Alcoholism." World Book Encyclopedia. 1997ed. 335-338.) However, this state is seldom reached because the body rejects

alcohol by vomiting. ( Alcoholism." World Book Encyclopedia. 1997ed. 335-338.) The results are in many ways harmful to the body.

Alcohol effects many of our important internal organs. Our brain is one of those. Alcohol effects the brain temporarily and permanently. (Langone,Book,99) Some effects on the brain are, brain injury and memory loss. In some cases the drinker may not be good with problem solving, judgment of even the smallest things, behavior, insight, understanding or comprehending, pain or pleasure, co-ordination, and body functions. (Langone,Book,99) Brain cells are also affected by alcohol carried by the blood stream into the brain, like many other organs. (Langone,Book,99) (Langone pg 99 book) Alcohol strongly disturbs the structure and function of the central nervous system, interrupting the ability to retrieve and integrate information. ("Alcohol and Drug Consumption." Encyclopedia Britannica Macropaedia. 1990ed.) Even small amounts if alcohol affect the brains retrieving and processing abilities, while larger amounts interfere with the oxygen supply to the brain. Blackouts, hallucinations, and extreme tremors may occur. ("Alcohol and Drug Consumption." Encyclopedia Britannica Macropaedia. 1990ed.) The physical results are almost alway permanent.

Alcohol can also effect other major organs such as the heart. In the heart it can cause disturbances to heart rate. (Vasap.state/effects.com November 30) If you have an existing heart problem, it could even kill you or make you very sick. (Vasap.state/effects.com November 30) Moderate daily drinking may be good for the heart, but for many the risks outweigh the benefits. (Vasap.state/effects.com November 30) Even one binge may produce irregular heartbeats, and an alcohol abuser experience increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart arrhythmia, and heart disease. ("Alcohol and Drug Consumption." Encyclopedia Britannica Macropaedia. 1990ed.) Alcohol may cause cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle) ("Alcohol and Drug Consumption." Encyclopedia Britannica