The Effects Of Alcohol On The Brain And Body - 866 Words

Alcohol causes many psychological and physiological problems in heavy drinkers and light drinkers alike. A few well-known consequences of alcohol on the brain and body have been proven. This includes: cognitive mood and memory disturbances, injury to the gastrointestinal and intestinal tracts, and injury to cardiovascular, all of the body’s normal functions. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a growing problem. Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs when expectant mothers drink during pregnancy. This condition afflicts over 5,000 infants a year causing mental retardation, constant confusion, withdrawal after delivery, and many visible physical defects. Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common alcohol related health problem. Approximately 10,000 to 24,000†¦show more content†¦Since alcoholics can portray there is no problem, it is often difficult to spot a person in trouble, mostly while coming home from clubs or bars. In 1996 there were 1,893,700 drunken driving arrests in the United States. It is estimated that upwards of 75% of those arrested are alcohol abusers. In our nation, more than 20,000 people die annually in alcohol related car accidents. Despite the effect on motor skills and other normal brain functions, drunks still believe they are able to drive, resulting in many innocent deaths. Alcoholism also devastates families and loved ones of the addicted individual. Of the approximate 18 million alcoholics in the United States, each one adversely affects at least four other people. Families of alcoholics suffer the same symptoms of the disease as the alcoholic. Excessive use of alcohol claims at least 100,000 lives each year, either through accidents or health problems. This is 25 times more loss of life than all illegal drugs combined. Alcoholism and related problems cost taxpayers an overwhelming $85.8 billion in mortality and reduced productivity. However, alcohol is still looked upon as a non-threatening dilemma. There are many methods of treatment for alcoholics to use to try to kick their habit. One approach is Alcoholics Anonymous or AA. AA is a twelve-step program designed to make the person realize their problem, and also allow themShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Alcohol On The Body s Organs And Brain Activity1350 Words   |  6 PagesAlcohol is a recreational drug which contains ethanol (Drugfreeworld.org, 2016), a depressant that prolongs the messages from the brain to the body affecting the way one thinks, feels and behaves (Alcoholthinkagain.com.au, 2014). Excessive alcohol consumption can have many negative effects on the body’s organs and brain activity. Major health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, depression, gout and pancreatitis can occur as a result of consuming large quantities of alcohol and haveRead MoreAlcohol and the Brain989 Words   |  4 PagesAlcohol and the Brain In chemistry terms, alcohol is any organic compound where a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom, which is has single bonds to three other atoms. The type of alcohol that can be consumed is called Ethanol which is a liquid and psychoactive recreational drugs. If a person drinks Ethanol, or alcohol, it affects the central nervous system, which causes decrease in activity, anxiety, tensions, concentration, and judgement. There are also several cases of memory loss due toRead MoreExcessive Alcohol Use Bad For The Blood1492 Words   |  6 Pagesit has numerous health risks including possible death, would you still do it? For most people, alcohol is a lot of fun, but most don’t realize the health factors, especially if you are an excessive drinker. Many people die each year from heart disease because they don’t know how to control how much they drink in one sitting. Even more people die each year from drinking and driving, when you consume alcohol your motor skills are heavily impaired and your reaction time is extremely slow therefore ifRead MoreEffects Of Drinking Too Much Alcohol1496 Words   |  6 PagesSide Effects Of Drinking Too Much Alcohol We all know the power and influence alcohol can have over our minds and for many it has become so deep-rooted in our life’s that a gathering is almost always associated with drinking. Many of us don’t think about the negative side effects that drinking too much alcohol at once or long-term, has on our bodies. So how much alcohol, is too much alcohol? According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) moderate drinking, is no moreRead MoreEssay on The Dangerous Effects of Alcohol1597 Words   |  7 PagesAlcohol 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-termRead MoreA Deeper Look On The Alcoholic Environment1350 Words   |  6 Pages A Deeper Look On The Alcoholic Environment Nowadays the exposition to alcohol consumption is becoming very common among adults and teenagers. Alcoholic addiction is developed in social environment such as living around heavy drinkers, people often are tempted to the taste of alcohol which then becomes an addiction. Either it is a party or a celebration, alcohol is most of the times available; however, there are concerns in society, since the consumption of this drug can bring dangerous consequencesRead Moreazael Luevano806 Words   |  3 Pages#### very poorly written###### rough draft Alcohol. Its been around for millenniums before jesus and its always going to be around and most of us cant do anything about it but we can find a way to stop alcohol from getting stronger. We all know someone or something that has ever used alcohol either to; have fun,drown the sorrows of the day, or just to fit in. Every body will encounter alcohol one point or another so might as well know what the effects of drinking are. All people drink; women,menRead MoreEffects Of Alcohol On The Nervous System1280 Words   |  6 Pagescommonly called alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol is the principal type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts. It’s focus on the effect of taking alcohol, especially on teenagers. When teenagers meeting with their friends or having party, maybe because of other people, maybe because of Instant Gratification or because of Misinformation, they may have some alcohol without adults in order to b e more excited or ‘cool’. Having alcohol has negativeRead MoreEssay on The Effects of Alcohol on the Body1750 Words   |  7 PagesThe 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 moreRead MoreThe Effects of Alcohol on the Human Body1420 Words   |  6 PagesThe effects of Alcohol on the Human Body Name: Institution: Introduction Today, alcohol is one of the most common substances that people abuse. It is an addictive drink that has become a popular way of having a good time or relaxing in social gatherings. It is among the most commonly used psychoactive drugs. Alcohol is a popular social phenomenon, yet most societies forget its effects on their bodies. Research has carried out in the recent years on the effects that alcohol consumption is having