Cause and Effect of Alcohol

Cause and Effect of Alcohol Abuse on Mind and Body

Alcohol is everywhere in today's society. People stop by for a drink, drink to get drunk, college students binge drink, and for many people it is a disease and an addiction. But alcohol has lasting consequences on one's mind and the body, and these consequences are overwhelmingly bad. Alcohol damages the brain, the body, and one's mind to the point that someone can be addicted. The causes of alcohol damage are often medical certainties, and the extended abuse of alcohol can lead to further psychological problems. Alcohol has an effect on the central nervous system with a ride range of side effects, many of which are deleterious to health. Different factors influence the extent and level of alcohol intake and effect, but regardless, alcohol abuse can and will result in health issues of many kinds. The causes of alcohol abuse are often the result simply of drinking too much. The recommended dosages for drinks a day are very small, any anymore will result in negative consequences for health. Furthermore, there is the risk that "people who drink frequently or in large quantities can become addicted to alcohol," which means that drinking more than the very small recommended daily amount likely will lead to addiction and ultimately abuse (BUPA 2006). The early symptoms of alcohol abuse are those that include a difficulty controlling ones drinking, a growing tolerance to alcohol, and when alcohol begins to impact other areas of life (BUPA 2006). Furthermore, alcoholism can also be genetic. In general, the many symptoms of alcohol abuse can cause harm to the body and mind. One may turn to alcohol for relief or help from a certain problem or bad situation in his or her life, but the short and long term consequences and effects of alcohol on the body are very harmful. The initial consequences of alcohol abuse may even seem good to the drinker. A loss of inhibitions and ignoring social constraints may seem cool. But this lack of disrespect of social norms, and legal implications will ultimately lead to negative consequences. Unconsciousness, death, coma, and excessive vomiting are one result of binge alcohol abuse. Thus the original euphoria and good feeling will result in a loss of coordination and blurred vision and then consequences far worse. This means the original benefits of alcohol are lost after excessive consumption and the resulting is alcohol abuse which has only harmful effects on the body and mind. Alcohol abuse, then means, first and foremost consequences towards the body, and these consequences are only beneficial in moderation. Alcohol abuse does not imply moderation, so thus alcohol abuse causes a wide range of short and long term health problems for the individual. The short term effects of alcohol abuse include dehydration and a loss of short term memory and poor coordination. Often people who drink too much become hung-over and that includes many flue like symptoms that are painful and which only time can help to heal. But these are only the minor health effects problems caused by alcohol abuse. There are far more serious and permanent problems. Drinking too much can cause serious physical damage, increase the possibilities for other diseases, and even cause death. Among the many problems associated with alcohol abuse there are hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the stomach lining, inflammation of the pancreas, high blood breasure, mouth and throat cancer, brain damage, heart failure, and vitamin deficiency (BUPA 2006). This does not even begin to discuss the problems with alcohol abuse on women who are pregnant which are not only extremely detrimental to the child, but to the future relationship between mother and child. For example, women who are heaving drinkers like will have children that, "can result in growth deficiencies, nervous system problems, lowered intelligence, and facial abnormalities in the child" (BUPA 2006). Alcohol is a depressant and can cause short term and immediate problems. Blackouts are a serious concern with alcohol abuse as well as a sign of alcohol abuse. Furthermore, alcoholism causes brain damage and "thiamine deficiency is a common occurrence in people with alcoholism" (NIAA 2004). The fact that brain damage is caused by excessive alcohol abuse is a serious concern and one which cannot be overlooked. But alcoholics are not alike and alcoholism has different origins for different people. Therefore the effects vary considerably. But these, among many other effects of alcohol abuse can be expected or at least there is a possibility for them to exist. Alcohol abuse also poses a risk on one's psychology. Although one initially feels relaxed after drinking, this will soon turn into a negative feeling. Someone who drinks too much will experience anxiety and this can possibly lead to depression. Alcohol abuse is also related to sleep problems, mood-swings, violent behavior, and possible suicide as 2/3 of all suicide attempts involve alcohol (BUPA 2006). This is an extreme effect of alcohol abuse and likely linked to the fact that alcohol is a depressant and it stimulator of the parts of the brain which seeks please, but that alcohol helps, but eventually inhibits future happy activity. There are many well-known side effects of alcohol that are considered positive, and these surely lead people to drink more. But these side effects, known as drunkenness, even on a moderate level lead alcohol intake to be a negative effect on a person. While the benefits of alcohol may encourage alcohol abuse, these are actually negative effects acting on a person. For example, the room spinning or blurred vision is the result of chemical reactions in the body that are not natural and thus cannot be considered positive. One indication of alcohol abuse to the point of overdose is ataxia, which means that body moves in uncontrolled jerking motions. There are countless other disorders caused by alcohol abuse, all of which are caused by the excessive intake of alcohol. Over the years alcohol abuse will lead to long term problems within the body. This includes problems with the control of the gait, liver disease, and a physical and mental reliance on the drug. Furthermore, there are other serious health consequences facing alcohol abuses. Alcohol abuses not only risk the activities of their everyday life, but also their relationship with their families and friends. While alcohol does offer positive effects which are positive, and have been proven to be positive scientifically, these can lead towards a dangerous road of alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is also genetic, meaning that people need to be aware of their risk for the disease. But once alcohol abuse sets in, the emotional and physical effects are endless. And except for the immediate positive effects, the rest of very harmful to human health. There are numerous long term diseases, short and long-term psychological problems associated with alcohol abuse. It is very easy to become abusive to alcohol as alcohol is legal and offers many benefits that are seen positive by today's society. But these benefits will only lead one towards alcohol abuse and the effects of alcohol are countless and vary from person to person. From psychological effects and a physical and mental reliance on alcohol, to depression and anxiety, and physical effects ranging from liver and brain damage and the development of cancer, alcohol causes a wide range of deleterious effects which vary from person to person. But the prevailing theme, well the medically proven notion is that alcohol can damage people in many different ways which differ from person to person but all are harmful. It can harm people mentally and physically. It can kill people or make them an addict reliant on alcohol. Thus alcohol needs to be carefully monitored for if someone enjoys a drink too much, it can lead to many more consequences further down the road.