Alcohol Consequences
Alcohol ConsequencesAlcohol is a depressant, as it switches off part of the brain, which controls our judgment. The immediate effect of alcohol is to alter mood. When drinking, most people become more relaxed and happy. The more drinks consumed the greater the effect - speech becomes slurred, vision blurred, balance is lost and movements are clumsy. Heavy drinking will depress all bodily functions- drinking very large quantities can result in unconsciousness, coma, or even death.
Drinking large quantities of alcohol over an extensive period of time has very negative health consequences. These include cirrhosis of liver, memory loss, confusions, hallucinations, impaired ability to learn, impaired liver function, liver cancer, high blood pressure, damage of heart muscles, stomach ulcers, inflamed pancreas, muscle weakness and gained weight.
When alcohol is swallowed, it goes through several processes to be broken down. Alcohol is first diluted by the stomach juices, and is then quickly spread through the body. As it passes through the stomach enzymes begin the conversion of ethanol into Carbon Dioxide plus water. A small amount of the alcohol seeps directly into the bloodstream through the stomach wall. The majority of the alcohol passes into the small intestine, where it is absorbed very quickly and circulated through the bloodstream. The liver then processes the majority of the alcohol.
Alcohol affects people in different ways. Age, body weight and gender contribute to the effect that alcohol has on the body. The larger the body, the more blood, so the more dilute the alcohol will become. Men’s bodies have more fluids and less fat than women’s bodies and so are not as easily affected.
Social problems associated with alcohol are experienced by a wide cross section of the community. Many teenagers drink alcohol on a social level. Some start as young as 12 – 13. There are more risks involved when the child is this young- the body can’t process alcohol as efficiently.
One of the main problems people associate with alcohol is crime. The role of alcohol in crime is often measured by the amount of alcoholics in prison. It is estimated that 22 - 43 percent of prisoners have, or previously have had alcohol problems.
There are many jobs associated with the alcohol industry. These start at the grape vineyard with the production of the grapes. The primary stage of production creates employment for the grower, pickers, drivers and owners of mechanical harvesters and the transporters. The alcohol industry also provides employment at the winery stage of production. This would include the oenolegists, laboratory staff, and a wide range of winery workers. Once the grapes have been made into wine, the wine needs to be marketed. This stage will employ graphic designers to create a label and marketers before the product goes on the shelves.
Even with all of the downsides of the alcohol industry, I still believe that it is worthwhile. The industry brings many jobs to many areas of the town, and a good profit to everyone involved. Alcohol if used in moderation can have many benefits to the body but if it is overused it has many health problems, and leads to alcoholism. I also think that advertising campaigns should be used, not only to stop people drink driving, but also to stop the overuse of alcohol. It could be argued that the social problems caused by the alcohol out weigh the benefits, but I believe that the people would turn to another drug.
The other problem is under age drinking. When camping or at parties, it is not uncommon to see people passed out, or close to it. If the alcohol industry is going to continue in the area at the rate it is now, something should be done about this. This is the responsibility of the local police.
Bibliography
What happens when you drink (on line) available from the internet
http://www.math.mun.ca/~mikec/drink/
“Alcoholism” (1993) Microsoft Encarta (CD ROM)
Microsoft cooperation, Redmond, WA.
1997 Road Traffic Code
Government of SA
Alcohol and violence (on line) available from the Internet
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
“Affects of alcohol” (2000) Britannica (CD ROM)
Britannica encyclopedia, North Sydney