Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol in alcoholic beverages acts as a depressant of the central nervous system used in small amounts. Users feel more relaxed from anxiety, and become more self confident².

Some of the symptoms of alcoholism are as follows:

• Craving—A strong need, or urge, to drink.
• Loss of control—Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
• Physical dependence—Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
• Tolerance—The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect.

Physiological effect of consuming alcohol

- Alcohol is absorbed from all parts of the gastrointestinal tract largely by simple diffusion into the blood⁴. It can be absorbed through the stomach walls.

- These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination⁴.  

- Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems including:

• Cardiomyopathy – Stretching and drooping of heart muscle
• Arrhythmias – Irregular heart beat
• Stroke
• High blood pressure⁴

- Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion⁴. 

- Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of developing certain cancers, including cancers of the: Mouth, Oesophagus, and Throat, liver or breast.

- Weakened immune system ⁴

-Affects male and female reproductive systems

Source of Image: http://morningsiderecoverynewportbeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Morningside-Recovery-Effects-of-Alcoholism-and-Alcohol-Abuse.jpg

Social effects alcohol abuse

-  Family problems: Arguments over someone's drinking can cause family and relationship problems that may lead to divorce/ break up.

- Work problems: Drinking alcohol at work and hangovers can lead to poor performance and accidents at work, while illness can result in absenteeism⁵.

-increase risk of sexual abuse: Approximately one-half of those cases (rape) involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both. Alcohol contributes to sexual assault through multiple pathways, often exacerbating existing risk factors⁶.

Economic Problems of alcohol Abuse

-lost of employment

-Besides income money spent on alcohol, a heavy drinker also suffers other adverse economic effects. These include lowered wages (because of missed work and decreased efficiency on the job), lost employment opportunities, increased medical expenses for illness and accidents

-High cost of health care, due to alcohol related illnesses

-Less productivity at workplace (either drunk or absent)

References

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001945.htm

2. Anne Tindale, Biology: A concise revision course for CXC. Stanley Thornes (Publishers) Ltd.

3. Caribbean Examination Council. Biology, Resource for teachers. Book 5

4. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body

5. http://www.adf.org.au/policy-advocacy/alcohol-and-its-effects

6. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-1/43-51.htm