Alcohol is one of the most consumed drugs worldwide. Alcohol consumption dates back to the Neolithic period circa 10,000 BCE (Patrick 12-13 ) and is the oldest psychoactive drug. Alcohol consumption is tied to religious ceremony, social gatherings, and cultural events; drinking alcohol is even simply equated to fun. The popularity of alcohol can also be tied to a physiological reaction in the human body, “drinking alcohol induced opioid release in... areas of the brain implicated in reward valuation.”(Mitchell et al. 116). Perhaps these social and cultural endorsements, coupled with specific physiological responses, make addiction and abuse a common progression of consumption. The negative impact of alcohol is observable in both the …show more content…
Despite the enormous cost of life it can be argued that there may exist other underlying causes as a link between these issues and alcohol is not concrete, yet even without irrefutable evidence are the potential health problems worth the risk?
Some opponents of an alcohol prohibition believe the risk is acceptable and even correlate moderate drinking with some positive health benefits. Regular temperate alcohol intake of less than two drinks per day has been linked to a decrease in coronary heart disease, hypertension, and an increase in cardiovascular health (O'keefe and Bybee 1009-1014). Although it is tempting to attribute a therapeutic benefit to alcohol many people find it difficult to restrict their drinking to amounts demonstrated to be healthy. The addictive property of alcohol makes healthful consumption difficult. When alcohol is consumed above moderate levels cardiovascular and other health benefits disappear. However, even in moderation the potential health benefits of alcohol consumption are minor when compared with the potential negative impact it has on the body and mind.
Not surprisingly the effects of alcohol consumption extend beyond the physiology of the brain and body. The social consequences of alcohol consumption can impact an individual's personal and professional life as well as harm those around them. The consumption of alcohol impairs judgment and
While consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice in our society, issues arise when abuse occurs. Donatelle and Thompson (2011) define alcohol abuse as the "excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships" (256). As with other drug addictions, this abuse is disruptive to the alcohol abusers life as well as to those close to them. Moreover, alcohol abuse is accompanied by many devastating effects for all demographics. The harms associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol includes: harm to oneself, negative effects on friendships and social life, and negative affects to physical
Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions.
People drink to unwind and relax, and alcohol alters the mood by reducing inhibitions. All drinkers have experienced alcohol’s short-term health effects, a hangover or poor sleep, but alcohol has long-term effects, often discovered when it’s too late.
Did you see a signboard said (do not drink and drive)? Did you hear of crimes caused by an alcoholic person? Did you see a man holding a bottle and waving around? All these troubles caused by something we call Alcoholism. {1}Alcoholism is a continuous way of using alcohol, and trouble controlling the person’s desire for alcohol, and it depend on person’s durability because maybe from one shot the person will get drunk. On the other hand, other person has ten shots, and nothing happens. {2} The number of people whom drink alcohol is around two billion around the world, and the number of people who have Alcoholism is 76 million. Alcohol can affect one person’s life in many ways such as in working life, in normal life, and most important
When this paper has been read more than 25 will be truly harmed in a liquor related mischance. Liquor is an extremely hurtful from numerous points of view if mishandled. The accompanying is only a couple of the numerous ways it can be impeding to one's wellbeing.
Alcohol is a major controversial topic in the world for as far back as 3000 B.C. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Israelites used alcohol to extremes just as people of modern times currently use it. Conners (1992) references that in the ancient Greek world wine played a significant role. So much that it was reported that Dionysus, said to be the son of Zeus, shared the secret of making wine to the Greeks. Butcher, Hooley & Mineka (2014) states “The World Health Organization no longer recommends the term alcoholism but prefers the term alcohol dependence syndrome.” Alcoholic and alcoholism are still terms consistently used in many publications and will be used in this paper. The abuse of alcohol baffles many and is the contribution to much dismay in society. Substance abuse is associated with dangerous behavior that is excessive even in the midst of social, psychological, occupational, or health related problems. People that abuse alcohol persistently become dependent on the substance and develop a need for increasing amounts to meet a physiological need. The abuse of alcohol usually leads to a need for increased amounts in order to gain the same effect. Tolerance to alcohol is common among those that suffer from alcohol dependence syndrome. Alcoholic dependence syndrome is described by the World Health Organization as “a state, psychic and usually also physical, resulting from taking alcohol, characterized by behavioral and other responses that always include
The impact that alcoholism can have on an individual are multiple things. Constant use of alcohol takes a very strong toll on one’s body, it is the 3rd highest
The presence of alcoholic beverages seems ubiquitous today, and it has been that way for thousands of years. Nowadays, it can be found at sporting events, social gatherings, with meals, and in many other environments. Alcohol is a psychoactive drug (it alters mood and potentially consciousness) and is specifically classified as a depressant. Depressant drugs slow down the nervous system and physiological functioning while promoting a relaxing, drowsy feeling. In the case of alcohol, these aforementioned effects typically arise when heavy doses of the drug are consumed. In low to moderate doses, however, the opposite happens. The alcohol has a mood-elevating effect, along with many other physical and social symptoms that are associated with it. This essay will discuss some of the effects that alcohol has on social behavior. First, the mechanism of action alcohol has on the brain will be explained, followed by paragraphs that discuss how moderate amounts of alcohol influence social behavior, sexual behavior, and driving ability.
The alcoholic beverage has long been a key element of our social world and has grown into a way of life for many. It is something that is at almost every party that we attend, it is advertised on television, and is promoted by many celebrities. People consume alcohol to celebrate an occasion, socialize with their friends or strangers, or to just simply relax. Alcohol, whether it be in the form of wine, beer, or spirits, have almost become inescapable in todays society. We often wonder the effect that is has on different individuals, and wonder why some become so heavily addicted to it while others do not. Because the prevalence of alcohol has continued to flourish in our society, the number of people who heavily consume it has increased
Since man was able to pick fruits, there has been alcohol. Chemicals created from fermented berries and grapes that bestowed “power and vision” unto those who ingested it. Alcohol’s roots go much deeper than mankind itself, consequently it has affected us the most. I propose that we look at this vicious beverage from a new, and different light. That we might see it for the uncontrollable drug that it is. First, I will be addressing how addictive alcohol is, then how it affects the body, and finally how it affects others around those who ingest alcohol.
In today’s society, alcohol is a popular ingredient in numerous products and beverages. And for better or worse, alcohol has shaped our civilization for many centuries. Alcohol is any organic compound, which the hydroxyl functional group is bound to a saturated carbon atom. It is classed as a depressant, which is an ingredient that slows down vital functions resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react quickly. As for how it affects the mind, alcohol is best understood as a drug that reduces a person’s ability to think rationally and distorts our judgment. The term alcohol is originally referred to the primary alcohol ethyl alcohol, the predominant alcohol in alcoholic beverages. Ethanol is thought to cause harm partly as a result of direct damage to DNA caused by its metabolites. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels from the stomach to the brain, where it quickly produces its effects, slowing the action of nerve cells. Some people should not drink at all, including alcoholics, children, pregnant women, people taking certain medicines, and people with certain medical conditions. Anything more than moderate drinking can be risky. Heavy drinking can lead to alcoholism and alcohol abuse, as well as injuries, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. It can also cause problems at
Alcohol is a commonly consumed licit substance. Arguably, it is the most consumed substance and therefore, has as immense impact on today’s society. Because it is a licit substance and is available virtually everywhere it is not uncommon for people of all ages to partake in it. However, many people do not contemplate the long-term effects prior to engaging in consumption (Kelly, 2015).
"Alcohol is a socially acceptable, legal drug that is consumed by the majority of Americans without problems to themselves or others (Milgram xiii)." Misuse of alcohol can lead to alcoholism, one of the most widespread and complex problems in America. The reasons some people become dependent on alcohol and others do not are unknown. Many health problems are associated with chronic alcohol abuse, including damage to the liver, brain, or central nervous system.
Drinking alcohol is socially acceptable almost everywhere you go, although many people fail to see the substantial effects or choose to ignore them completely. Alcohol is commonly known to create feelings of euphoria or is often used as a substance to cure feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. For whatever reasons one might have to consume alcohol, the side effects need to become of realization to consumers. An understanding of feasible outcomes need to be informed to those who might not realize the harm that this drug could cause. Overall, there are more cons than pros when considering consuming alcohol. Perhaps, the following reasons are enough to make the common drinker to think twice.
Alcohol is the most commonly use substance abuse in America. It is a serious problem in our society today and it indiscriminately affects people from all walks of life, cultures, backgrounds, upbringing and ages. Alcohol has a profound effect on the body and can lead to some serious long term health complications. Alcohol use can be attributed to many factors like genetics, stress, cultural upbringing and environmental factors, whatever the reason; one thing that’s remained constant, excessive abuse of alcohol carries negative consequences that affect brain and body functions and leave a negative impact on one’s mental health.