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
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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
Small amounts of alcohol have many effects on your body. When you drink alcohol it goes straight into your bloodstream and is distributed throughout your entire body. Alcohol consumption causes many physical and emotional changes that can do the greatest amount of harm to your body. There are long- term effects of drinking alcohol, putting your body and health at risk. Alcohol can take a toll your digestive system. Drinking heavy or small amounts can injure parts of your digestive tract. Alcohol can damage several things such as: salivary glands, tongue, can lead to gum disease, tooth decay , and even tooth loss. It can cause heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers in the esophagus. Inflammation in the pancreas kan mess with your ability to digest and metabolism. By your digestive system being damaged it can cause gassiness, abdominal fullness, and diarrhea and kan also lead to internal bleeding. A single drink of alcohol can cause trouble on your heart. Stroke , heart attack , heart failure, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat , and poisoning of the
Early symptoms of alcoholism includes putting an excessive importance on the availability of alcohol. An alcoholic usually has a high tolerance to alcohol, which means they are able to drink more and show less side effects when compared to another
Over this D.A.R.E program I've learned what the negative effects of alcohol are and I have decided not to drink or only drink in moderation. For proof that alcohol has negative effects alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost out of the 55.3 million people that die each year. The 88,000 of 55.3 million people that die might not seem like a collection of information but remember that that's only from one cause . When alcohol is consumed it takes 30 to 90 minutes to enter the bloodstream. It first enters the stomach and small intestine, where tiny blood vessels carry it to the
People who have been drinking a lot of alcohol for a long time have a big risk of developing serious changes in the brain. Doctors aren’t just worried about how alcohol makes you act; they are worried about the long run consequences. Even if you consume the amount that is told to be okay, you are still putting your life at risk. Long term effects on the brain from drinking alcohol causes memory loss, makes your brain think it needs it, changes gender to gender, and alters brain maturing in young adults.
Alcohol abuse can also cause short-term effects to the body. Although there are many different short-term effects, the most common happens to be a hangover which is a “group of symptoms experienced by a person after a heavy consumption of alcohol” (Alcoholic 1). Symptoms of a hangover often consist of nausea, fatigue, thirst, headache, diarrhea, and sensitivity to light and noise. The severity of a hangover depends on several factors; these factors include the amount of alcohol consumed, the level of hydration in the body at the time of alcohol consumption, and disease. Although hangovers are the most common short-term effect, blackouts are also a short-term result of alcohol abuse. Consuming large amounts of alcohol can lead to temporary amnesia where the person is unable to recall events that occurred after he or she began drinking. Unfortunately, blackouts can lead to serious repercussions, especially if the person is engaged in sexual activity during that time. Blackouts are much more common among social drinkers than previously assumed and should be viewed as a potential consequence of acute intoxication regardless of age (National 1). Drinkers who experience blackouts typically drink too much and too quickly, which causes their blood alcohol levels to rise very rapidly. Typically, college students are at risk for experiencing a blackout, as an alarming number of college students engage in binge drinking. Even though these short-term effects do not seem as bad as the
Once alcohol enters the bloodstream, it can have a range of effects on the human body. There are numerous factors, which may affect these effects, including a person’s size and weight, the type of alcohol he or she has consumed, and how much he or she has had to drink. People may begin to experience the effects of alcohol after drinking only a small amount.
Emotional and physical health can be greatly harmed by drinking alcohol. “Excessive alcohol use among women and girls accounted for an estimated average of 23,000 deaths and 633,000 years of potential life lost in the United States each year during 2001–2005” (Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 36). Just drinking alcohol alone throughout your life can shorten your life by a lot. “Even a small amount of alcohol has an affect on your body. When you drink, alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed throughout your body. A tiny amount of alcohol exits your body in your urine and your breath.You absorb alcohol more slowly if you eat, especially if the food is high in fat. However, if you drink more than your body can process, you’ll get drunk. How quickly alcohol is metabolized depends on your size and gender, among other things. Alcohol consumption causes physical and emotional changes that can do great harm to your body. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse are many, putting your health in serious jeopardy and endangering your life”
After alcohol reaches the brain, it numbs the frontal lobe, which has direct control over the judgment, visual perception and decision making skills. Scientists believe this is what makes alcoholics believe they can conquer any task put before them. After drinking a good number of drinks everyday over a long period of time, many things can happen. Cirrhosis of the liver can occur, which means the liver tissues become hardened. Scientists also report that irreversible brain damage can occur before cirrhosis of the liver is even detected. Also, cancer of the liver, mouth, esophagus as well as lungs and pancreatic cancer often occur as a result of alcoholism. Alcohol also has an affect on the mind as well as the body. Alcoholics often report that they feel inferior to people and believe they can do anything. Many people believe that alcohol acts as a "social lubricant." Increased social pleasures, assertiveness talkativeness and even happiness are all expected by many, when they drink in these situations. Alcohol is said to reduce tension and anxiety. This in turn allows drinkers to feel more relaxed and comfortable in social situations. However, this also encourages the drinker to drink more when under more stress.
Alcohol Abuse is part of disorder that affects many people throughout the world. Many are aware of the issues the disorder can bring not just on the victim, but also to the people that surround the person with the psychological problem. There are different areas that can be discussed in regards to alcoholism. According to Coon & Mitterer (2013), a substance abuse disorder is when there is an abuse or dependence on a psychoactive drug. Alcohol is a substance that can become abusive and bring negative effects on a person’s body. Alcohol is a substance that can bring behavioral effects such as behavioral effects, physical changes, and social changes. A good solution to Alcohol abuse can be Alcohol anonymous, an organization that helps
Alcoholics are dependent to alcohol and lack the ability to refuse more drinks; therefore, it becomes an addiction. According to “Alcohol Use Disorder”, 12 ounces of beer consist five percent of alcohol while one and a half ounces of proof- hard liquor contains 40 percent of alcohol. This can be dangerous because the higher the percentage of alcohol, the faster the symptoms will occur. Alcoholism is a problem everywhere and to anyone. It is the cause of idiotic decisions, deaths, and injuries. Many people fall victim to this addiction, either directly or indirectly; therefore, they need to be more educated on what prolonged alcohol use could do to their minds and bodies.
Some people may think: 'it's only one glass, it's not that bad' However, ethanol enters your body in 5-10 minutes, meaning you still will get slower in your movements, even if just by a little bit.
There are so many impacts that alcohol has on your body-acute effects, short-term effects, and long-term effects. A person’s brain is affected extremely from alcohol. While you are under the influence, cognitive abilities are affected even with the smallest measures of alcohol. Memory cells and those
Heavy drinkers may develop a tolerance or ?immunity? to certain amounts of alcohol. That said- the more often you drink, the more you can handle next time. The human body recognizes alcohol as a foreign substance and will use every method possible to
Alcohol is a very serious and dangerous drug, although it is not treated this way anymore. College students have taken drinking to a new level in which, for many, is very scary. Alcohol is much more dangerous than many would think. Kids see a night of drinking as a great way to have fun and party but do not see the consequences. Getting drunk and even blacking out can lead to many problems. When alcohol is consumed in unhealthy amounts, it can lead to not only short-term effects, but long-term ones as well.
Alcohol has no beneficial attributes on a person’s health. Alcohol can have several harmful effects on human organs. Some organs in the human body that are damaged by alcohol consumption are the brain, kidneys, and liver. The human liver is the one organ that suffers the most damage. As stated in an article published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Because the liver is the chief organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, it is especially vulnerable to alcohol – related injury” (NIAAA, 2005). Regular use of alcohol can lead to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The severity of ALD can vary based on several different factors. Some of these factors include gender, age, the amount consumed, and how often alcohol is used. “ALD includes three conditions: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis” (Alcohol Alert, 2005).