Dangers of Alcohol Usage Essay

Dangers of Alcohol

Alcohol has been counted among the group of drugs known as depressants, whose function is retarding vital functions; this leads to unsteadiness in movement, failure to respond swiftly, slurred speech, and distorted perceptions. With regard to the way it impacts the human mind, alcohol is best construed as a substance which decreases an individual's capability of rational thought and garbles his/her judgment. While it is grouped under depressants, the quantity of alcohol ingested helps determine the kind of impact. The majority of individuals consume alcohol for its stimulating impact (e.g., a glass of wine for “loosening up.”) However, if an individual drinks a greater quantity than his/her body is able to handle, he/she begins experiencing its depressant effect, manifesting as loss of control and balance, or feeling “stupid”.

To certain individuals, a single glass of wine or two to three beers is simply a part of socializing and relaxing. Meanwhile, others drink because of major physical, social and psychological issues. The substance has different impacts on males, females and youth. Distinct social and health hazards have been linked to different groups. The foremost step when finding out whether alcohol is creating problems in one's life or not is, grasping the risks related to drinking, which transcend mere hangovers, or unclear speech, or making a fool of oneself before others.

The Chemical Effect of Alcohol on the Body

Alcohol, if consumed when one's stomach is empty, impacts the body within a single minute. The reason for this is, contrary to food, alcoholic drinks don't require any time for digestion. Once the drink hits the stomach, ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase), catalase and CYP2E1 (cytochrome P450) (which are all natural enzymes) work together in converting the alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is a poison quite similar to formaldehyde. The impacts of consuming alcohol, like slurred speech, blurry vision, dizziness, unsteadiness, and numbness, are all due to ethanol, a chemical that is formed from sugar fermentation.

The effects of alcohol, if consumed in moderation, will wear off fast, since the liver works swiftly to flush it out of the body. But the hazards of the substance grow rather evident for heavy drinkers, as their bodies lose the ability to successfully moderate and flush out the large quantities of the substance entering the body. It is here that alcohol toxicity resulting from acetaldehyde enters the picture. Ultimately, a heavy drinker's liver arrives at its saturation point, when it is unable to filter alcohol any longer. The permeation of acetaldehyde into the drinker's bloodstream may lead to grave health issues. According to Elmhurst University, when the human body is unable to safely metabolize alcohol any longer, it can result in liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatitis. Additionally, studies indicate that acetaldehyde can result in alcoholism owing to its direct impact upon the drinker's brain. The brain's nerve transmitters respond to this chemical (i.e., acetaldehyde), forming morphine-like compounds that can result in addiction.

Endocrine and digestive glands. Excessive alcohol consumption may lead…

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…the body's mechanism that maintains bone strength. The habit can lead to thinner bones, thereby increasing risks of fractures in the event the individual takes a fall. Further, if a fracture does occur, it will take longer to mend. Drinking alcohol can also result in muscle cramps, weakness and, ultimately, atrophy.

Immune system. Heavy drinking adversely impacts the immune system of the body, making it harder for the drinker's body to drive away viruses and germs that attack it. Chronic heavy drinks also exhibit greater likelihood of contracting tuberculosis or pneumonia as compared to the general public. Roughly one in ten tuberculosis cases across the globe may be associated with drinking. Lastly, drinking exacerbates risks for various kinds of cancer, such as breast, colon and mouth.

The Danger of Withdrawal

Alcohol's dangers do not come to an end when the drinker ceases its consumption. Rather, extremely heavy drinkers commonly experience acute withdrawal symptoms which require professional monitoring. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible for drinkers to reduce consumption by themselves; nevertheless, for chronic heavy drinkers, professional assistance is highly recommended. Some psychological and physical alcohol withdrawal impacts are anxiety, depression, moodiness, tiredness, shudders, swift emotional swings, bad dreams, trembling, headache, clammy skin and heart palpitations. Though the majority of withdrawal symptoms are minor and decrease over time, the condition can also give rise to major issues like fever, delirium tremens or hallucinations, seizures, and loss of consciousness, which require professional treatment at a private outpatient or inpatient clinic. According…