preview

The Effects Of Long Term Alcohol Use On The Brain

Better Essays

Alcohol is the result of the chemical process known as fermentation, which is essentially the putrefaction of yeast and sugar into a consumable intoxicant. The earliest examples of alcohol consumption were evidenced by beer recipes from Mesopotamia, written in Cuneiform on clay tablets. These tablets are considered one of the earliest forms of written language. Alcohol has long been considered an integral part of society, but its effects on physical and mental health, and social standing continue to be discovered. In order to properly address the immeasurable amount of harm alcohol can create when abused, its image among society and the media must shift from glamorization to brutal honesty. Alcohol consumption not only destroys the physical health, social life, and mental abilities of the user; but also places a negative burden on both society and the economy. Alcohol is classified as a depressant, known to slow the function of the central nervous system. The effects of long-term alcohol use impact the brain 's ability to function properly, while limiting the capacity for comprehension of information and processing of memories. Reports from the National Institute of Health have shown that the deficiency of Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is commonly seen with alcoholism, and can be linked to dementia-like symptoms associated with alcoholic encephalopathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (U.S. Natl. Library of Medicine). Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for disturbances

Get Access