Adverse Effects of Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is an accepted part of relaxation and leisure time. Often co-workers or couples dating will meet for drinks as part of their day-to-day activities. It is important to remember that alcohol is a legal mind-altering substance. It should be used in moderation to avoid any of the adverse affects associated with it. Many folks believe that because it is a legal substance that it offer little to no risk. Yet, studies show how dangerous and addictive alcohol can be. Even if one is not dealing with an addictive situation, the immediate effects of alcohol can be troublesome.

How Alcohol Effects the Mind

• A drink or two is going to have little effect on most people. However, it is important to remember that it is a central nervous depressant that can lead a drinker to have less control over her behavior. A report on the website USPharmacist.com explores some of the effects alcohol can have on the mind.

  All forms of alcohol affect cell permeability, impacting the central nervous system. It is absorbed quickly by the stomach and is eliminated by the liver. Due to its quick-acting effects on the body, it is considered to be a universal cellular toxin. Depending on how much people drink, their weight and whether or not they have had food, can effect how many drinks are needed to bring a person into a state of intoxication. Depending on how much alcohol is consumed and the level of intoxication, drinker can experience serious behavioral changes. People who are intoxicated have a slower response time to stimuli, have trouble with balance and may become aggressive. They also can experience anxiety, panic, euphoria, restlessness and irritability.

What Does Extreme Intoxication Do?

• When one is extremely intoxicated, he can lose memory of the time he was intoxicated, experience hallucinations and delusions, and become violent. This change in behavior can have serious consequences on relationships and the general perception others have of the person intoxicated. If serious intoxication is habitual it can ruin marriages and careers or lead to abuse of either a spouse or a child.

Minor Physical Effects

• Alcohol does not just affect people adversely when it comes to mind and behavior. Long-term use and abuse of alcohol can lead to serious physical problems. It can cause chronic headache, stomach problems and dry mouth. It can lead to a missed day of work here or there or harm work performance because the person is simply not feeling well after a night of drinking.

Long Term Effects

• More seriously, alcohol can do a lot of damage over the years. Continued extensive use can cause congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, edema, increased risk of stroke and pneumonia. It can also create problems for the liver like hepatitis or cirrhosis. It can also cause chronic edema and affect the metabolizing of prescription drugs, rendering them useless in their fight against disease. It can also chronically interfere with job performance and result in termination for the person addicted to alcohol.

Withdrawal

• This physical dependency leads to withdrawal if the drinking is brought to a stop. This withdrawal can be difficult and painful and include hallucinations, sweating and vomiting. Withdrawal usually lasts three to ten days.

What Does This Mean

• Should avoid alcohol like cigarettes because of the adverse effects? No, but those who drink regularly need to be aware of the emotional and physical adverse effects they may experience. This could lead someone to choose to use alcohol in moderation and to seriously control the urges to have one too many drinks on a night out.