Alcohol is the oldest and widely liver, where it is broken down or
used drug in the world. Primitive metabolized. This process takes place in
cultures believed alcohol to be a several steps, but the end products are
carbon dioxide (which is breathed out
magical, mysterious cure for through the lungs), water (which passes Alcohol is not an antidote for snake bite. It
Alcohol
nearly every ailment. Clinical out in the urine) and sugar (which does not prevent colds. It is of no value in
research has removed the mys- provides energy or calories). treating frostbite. It does not relieve fatigue
tery of what happens when a or shock. It does not enhance sexual
person drinks alcohol. We have However, when it is consumed at a faster performance – it may release inhibitions, but
learned a great deal about what rate than the body's metabolism can it impairs follow-through. As a drug, its
alcohol is, what it does to the handle (about one 12-ounce can of beer sedative value is offset by the toxic effect it
per hour), alcohol accumulates in the has on the brain, heart, liver and
body, and how it effects behavior. bloodstream and is distributed throughout gastrointestinal tract. Medically speaking,
and the
the body. The higher the concentration of there is no possible benefit which can be
alcohol, the greater disturbance it has on derived from the internal use of alcohol.
body cells. Severe disruption of function Abstinence is the best policy.
can occur and can cause death. The
Alcohol belongs to a family of chemicals effects of alcohol on various organs will be
that contain carbon and hydrogen. The discussed in more detail in the following
Body
active ingredient in alcoholic beverages is sections on the reverse.
ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. It is
a colorless and nearly tasteless liquid that There are many resources available relating
is easily and quickly absorbed by the to the abuse of alcohol and how to prevent
body. its harmful effects. Others also in-clude
assistance in recovery. Some are:
Many people think that alcohol is a
Regular drinking increases a person's NIAAA – National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
stimulant, but actually it is a depressant. It
slows down the function of all living cells,
tolerance for alcohol. More is needed to and Alcoholism - www.niaaa.nih.gov
especially those of the brain. Alcohol feel the same effects – the single drink
which once produced a feeling of SAMHSA Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
belongs in the same group of drugs as (FASD) - www.fascenter.samhsa.gov
anesthetics and tranquilizers. relaxation is soon increased to two, and
so on. The slide from drinking for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – www.aa.org
pleasure to dependence is gradual, but
inexorable. National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral
Routing Service (SAMHSA)
www.niaaa.nih.gov - 800-662-HELP (4357)
The body tries to adapt to chronic
Alcohol does not need to be digested after alcohol use – the liver attempts to TeenZine - Teenage Drug & Alcohol Abuse
having been consumed. It moves with metabolize the alcohol more quickly, the Information – www.teenzine.org
tremendous speed throughout the body, cells work harder to get rid of it, and the
affecting every single tissue and organ. It National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
drinker's behavior adapts to disguise
quickly appears in the bloodstream and its www.drugabuse.gov
impaired abilities. But after a while, the
intoxicating effects are felt within minutes.
body can no longer maintain equilibrium,
and many organs become dysfunctional Catalog No. A-171 (Rev 3/2012) Alcohol
The body begins immediately to try to get
and permanently damaged. Signal Press
Albert S. Whiting, M.D. rid of the alcohol. It is absorbed through
1730 Chicago Ave – Evanston IL 60201-4585
the stomach or small intestine directly into
[email protected] – (800) 755-1321
the bloodstream. It then proceeds to the
► ON THE LIVER
Because the liver must perform the work of metabolizing alcohol, it bears
the brunt of its effects. Even in the moderate drinker, after some years of
continuous low-grade dysfunction, the damaged liver cells are gradually
replaced by scar tissue. Irreversible scarring and destruction of the liver
is known as cirrhosis of the liver.
As the liver becomes damaged, its ability to metabolize alcohol is
reduced. The liver begins to accumulate fats, and is there is further
malfunction. The risk of other diseases such as hepatitis is substantially
increased.
► ON THE HEART
There have been reports that one drink a day slightly decreases the risk
of heart disease because alcohol affects the way cholesterol is carried in
the blood, However, there is a great deal of evidence to show that even a
small amount of alcohol can be quite harmful to the heart.
Alcohol has a direct effect on heart muscle cells. It can progressively
destroy the heart muscle so the heart cannot pump efficiently. Alcohol
also starves the heart by decreasing blood flow in the coronary arteries.
Alcohol has an influence on the risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Drinkers have an increased rate of hypertension. Fat levels in the blood
can be elevated by alcohol. And, alcohol contains a great many calories
which can cause obesity and increase chances of heart disease.
Because of its sedative effects, alcohol depresses angina heart pains. If
a person exercises after drinking and does not feel this pain, a heart attack may result.
► ON THE BRAIN
The organ most sensitive to alcohol is the brain. Alcohol affects
the entire body, but its effects on the functions of the brain are the
most noticeable – and to the person who is drinking, the most
important. People drink alcohol because of the way it makes them
feel, ignoring the damaging effects on the brain itself.
The brain reacts to alcohol in stages. The first portion of the brain
to be affected is the cerebrum – the outermost layer, which is
responsible for controlling the senses, speech, understanding and
judgment.
Alcohol depresses first the parts of the brain that normally inhibit
or control actions and emotions. It appears as if alcohol – although it is a depressant – is acting as a
stimulant because, as these higher centers of the brain are “knocked out,” the drinker feels liberated from
moral and legal restrictions. The loss of these restraints can cause exhilaration and loss of inhibitions.
The alcohol continues to depress brain functions, resulting in slurred speech, unsteady walk, blurry vision,
and loss of coordination. Drinkers often feel that their manual skills have been improved because their
judgment has been impaired, while in reality their reaction times are slowed and their muscle coordination is
less efficient.
Next, the drinker experiences various exaggerations of emotions that can range from violence and
aggressiveness to tearfulness and withdrawal. If a person continues to drink, the body protects itself from
further damage by falling asleep or “passing out.” Alcohol destroys brain cells which, unlike the blood cells it
also destroys, are irreplaceable. Alcohol impairs the memory as well as learning ability.
► ON THE DIGESTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS
Alcohol has absolutely no nutritive value other than empty calories.
Because alcohol supplies these calories, it can be fattening. Alcohol is
absorbed so quickly that its energy is available quickly and burned first, so
that fuel that normally would be expended is stored as fat.
The gastrointestinal system is irritated and damaged by alcohol. Thus it is
less able to absorb nutrients which can lead to malnutrition.
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it is distributed throughout her body
and that of her unborn child. Alcohol interferes with the flow of oxygen to
the fetus which can result in smaller birth weight, birth defects and even
miscarriages.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders (FASD). This includes a range of disabilities involving facial
deformities, limb and cardiovascular defects and impaired intellectual and
motor development. FASD, retarded growth, and behavioral difficulties can occur with as little as a single
drink per day. The evidence is overwhelmingly conclusive that the only safe policy is complete abstention
from alcohol during pregnancy. It has been shown that alcohol is harmful to the human system. The only
wise response is to totally avoid its use.
