The Causes and Effects of Alcohol Abuse For about 10% to 12% of the 140 million adults in the United States who drink, the use of alcohol develops into addiction. Alcoholism in men is approximately two to three times greater than in women (14% of male drinkers vs. 6% of female drinkers). In addition onset of alcoholism usually occurs at a younger age in men than in women (Fay, 1998). In terms of consumption 20% of drinkers consume 80% of all alcohol (Babor, 2010). There has been an abundance of research done on this topic. Family studies, twin studies, animal studies, and adoption studies are showing stronger and stronger genetic influences particularly in severe alcoholism (Black, 2010) A recent twin study that assessed …show more content…
Alcohol limits the brain 's ability to use glucose and oxygen, therefore killing brain cells as well as inhibiting message transmission. Low to moderate use does not seem to cause permanent functional loss whereas chronic high-dose use causes direct damage to nerve cells. Malnutrition can also injure brain cells and disrupt brain chemistry. (Babor, 2010). Both physical brain damage and impaired mental abilities have been linked to advanced alcoholism. Brain atrophy (loss of brain tissue) has been documented in 50% to 100% of alcoholics (Fishman, 2005). Breathing and heart-rate irregularities also may arise. Dementia (deterioration of intellectual ability, faulty memory, disorientation, and diminished problem-solving ability) is a further consequence of prolonged heavy drinking. One of the more serious diseases due to brain damage caused by chronic alcoholism and thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is Wernicke 's encephalopathy whose symptoms include delirium, visual problems, imbalance, and muscle tremors. The other serious condition that involves thiamine deficiency is Korsakoff 's syndrome; its symptoms include disorientation, memory failure, and repetition of false memories (Babor, 2010). Alcoholism also effects the reproductive system. While light drinking lowers inhibitions, prolonged use decreases desire and the intensity of orgasm. Chronic alcohol abuse can inhibit
Alcohol is causing the brains of these children to be poisoned, as it is a neurotoxin. The excessive consumption of alcohol can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B, which helps prevent the brain from being able to function correctly. Drinking above the recommended levels can cause brain disorders later on in life. Some symptoms of these disorders include: difficulties learning and problems memorizing things, and difficulties with balance.
4) The general effects of alcohol on the brain are blurred vision, weakened motor skills, blurred vision, slurred speech, slowed reaction times and impaired memory. In the liver alcohol causes fat deposits to develop in the liver and cause inflammation even eventually liver disease. Similarly, in the pancreas prolonged use can cause inflammation which yields vomiting, fever, weight loss, and is potentially fatal. Lastly, in the kidneys alcohol can increase the risk of high blood pressure developing in chronic kidney disease.
Many people, including alcoholics, are not fully aware of the devastation caused by alcohol abuse. Not only does alcohol have an impact on physical health, it causes a host of problems from a mental and emotional standpoint. This addiction is not only harmful to the body, it tears families apart, leads to job loss, and often causes isolation for the person who drinks.
Alcohol impairs judgment, memory, concentration and coordination, as well as inducing extreme mood swings and emotional
Alcohol consumption affects every aspect of the human body, specifically the brain, liver, central nervous system, pancreas, stomach, and increased cancer risks.
As we age the body metabolize alcohol faster and alcohol can interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Alcohol is especially dangerous for those who take sleeping pills, pain pills, or anti-anxiety medications. The effects of alcohol cause brain damage. The symptoms are similar to Alzheimer’s disease: confusion, short-term memory loss, diminished verbal ease, and loss of problem solving skills. The symptoms decrease after three to four weeks of abstinence. However, unless abstinence is maintained, the person may become permanently demented. One report found that 10% of patients over 60 who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease had brain damage caused by alcohol.
Teens who do not drink are less likely to engage in sexual activity than teens who do drink (“Questia”). While impaired, people are more likely to have sex with someone they do not know. Taking that risk can be very dangerous, because they become exposed to diseases or expose others. Failing to use birth control in this kind of situation can lead to teenage pregnancy; therefore, the teen may or may not know the father of the child. It is stereotypical for teenagers to engage in sexual activity while under the influence of alcohol. When people are drunk, they lower their inhibitions, allowing themselves to let go more than usual. Many people are against sex before marriage, but teens rarely bother to make sure that happens while drinking. Alcohol tends to ease teenagers insecurities and makes them feel more open or fearless. The undeveloped, immature brain that allows teens to drink, will most likely regret sexual decisions while under the
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.
When drinking alcohol, alcoholics know some side effects. What they dont know is how it damages the brain. Brain disease is one of the many side effects. Alcohol also affects the liver, lungs, heart and cells.
The effects associated with alcohol are produced by the ethanol in the alcohol. The severity of these effects is reflected by the concentration of alcohol in an individual’s blood, which is dictated by the amount of alcohol ingested, the volume of blood, the individual’s metabolism, and amount of time since ingestion. In large doses, alcohol acts as a depressant of the central nervous-system. A blood alcohol level of 0.1% affects some of the motor areas of the brain associated with speech, balance and manual dexterity. A blood alcohol level of 0.2% depresses all motor functions and the area concerned with emotions is depressed. At a blood alcohol level of 0.45% the entire section of the brain that handles perception is depressed and the individual becomes comatose. At a blood alcohol level of 0.7% the parts of the brain that control the heartbeat and breathing are depressed and the individual
Except affects alcohol for the liver, Alcohol also can effect Brain, Heart, pressure and Cancer etc. For the brain, there are two important areas of the brain that are effect by alcohol. These are the prefrontal area
Alcohol is a substance that has numerous diverse affects on the body-both positive and negative. Alcohol not only kills brain cells, but when taken in profusion it has almost no constructive affects. Sure it can make one overlook his/her problems, but the consequences of drinking in excess far outweigh the benefits. It is not a crime to get drunk, however alcohol will almost always cause one to conduct them self in a way he or she would not normally behave. For instance, a sober man will not usually drive ninety-five mph down I-95, however, after consuming a good amount of alcohol, his eyesight, judgement, reflexes and abilities are hindered to the point that he feels
As compared to men, women of alcohol addiction are diagnosed with medical problems such as depression, cirrhosis, stroke, and brain damage partly because of gender differences (Holdcraft & Iacono, 2002). A woman’s body is generally smaller and contains a higher proportion of fat to water leaving alcohol much more concentrated in the body (McConville, 1983). According to Holdcraft and Iacono (2002), not only do women have higher blood alcohol concentration but also they are highly vulnerable to the physical effects that alcohol can cause. Aside from the previously mentioned medical diagnoses, alcohol can affect the women physically by changing her ovulation and menstruation, which can ultimately affect pregnancy.
People drink in many ways, for many different reasons. We drink socially, to gain acceptance into a group. We drink alone to ease stress, to cope with our problems, or we “drink because we like the taste or how it makes us feel”#. Often drinking is a learned behavior, starting out as a social drinker; you quickly become psychologically and physically dependent. When someone reaches this stage they are often classified as an alcoholic. To an alcoholic, drinking becomes a compulsion; they cannot stop themselves from having another drink, like a social drinker can. In many cases alcoholics don’t even have to drink continuously in order to be an alcoholic. One the problems of alcohol addiction is that it’s something that doesn’t just effect the individual but it effects, friends and family as well. Spouse abuse, child abuse and dysfunctional family relationships can all be influenced by alcohol abuse.
While drinking might make you feel good now, if you abuse that alcohol it may lead to serious complications later. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks in a day for women and five or more drinks in a day for men (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Alcohol is considered a depressant, so it is only seen fit that one of the chief effects of alcohol on the brain is to depress central nervous system functioning. In turn it may be why major depressive disorders occur in those who abuse alcohol. If the alcohol abuse continues over a period it intensifies into an alcohol dependency. Alcohol has effects on the body both mentally and physically. After a certain limit alcohol will slur your speech, increase your reaction time, and make you lose co-ordination. Alcohol consumption, particularly long-term alcohol dependence has many physiological ricks to consider, such as permanent damage to the brain, alcoholic liver disease, pancreatitis, alcohol poisoning