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Alcohol belongs to a class of
drugs known as 'depressants' because they slow down parts
of the brain, such as judgement, reaction time, and motor
skills. It also slows down the nervous system, lowering the
heart rate and slowing breathing respirations.
Alcohol is a legal drug (for
people 21 and over in the United States and 18 and over
in parts of Australia and Canada) and is most commonly used.
If taken in moderation alcohol does not harm most people.
However, regular excessive drinking of alcohol can cause a
variety of health, personal, and social problems.
Alcohol passes straight into
the bloodstream from the small intestine and stomach. Immediate
effects include feeling relaxed and less inhibited, followed
by reduced concentration, slurred speech, and blurred vision.
Alcohol also effects coordination and judgement. It can
bring on moodswings, agression, and sadness more easily
than usual. People who are drunk are more likely to become
hostile and violent during an argument than they would while
not under the influence of alcohol.
The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream
is called the blood alcohol concentration or BAC. Blood alcohol
concentration is determined by how much alcohol a person drinks
and over what period of time.
Some people's blood alcohol concentration
will be higher after drinking the same amount as other people.
There are a number of reasons for this including: drinking on
an empty stomach, if the person is of small build, or if they
are overweight and in poor health.
Some physical problems commonly associated
with regular alcohol use are liver damage, heart and blood disorders,
stomach inflammation, brain damage, impotence in men, and irregular
periods in women.
Regular heavy drinkers also commonly
experience intense emotional problems including depression,
relationship and family problems, lack of motivation, and
poor work performance. Financial difficulties and legal
problems are also commonly experienced among heavy users.
People who regularly drink can
also develop tolerance, which means they need to drink more
and more to experience the same effects as before. Regular
drinkers are at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. If
alcohol is unavailable they may panic or feel anxious. Withdrawl
occurs when a person who's dependent on alcohol stops using
or severely cuts down the amount they drink. Withdrawl symptoms
include sweating, tremors, vomiting, convulsions, and hallucinations.
Combining alcohol with other
drugs can be dangerous and even deadly. Mixing over-the-counter
or prescribed medications with alcohol can reduce their effectiveness
or cause an allergic-type reaction. Mixing alcohol with minor
tranquilizers or marijuana impairs judgement and coordination
even more, and can cause respiration or heart failure.
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