Alcohol consumption has many different effects on a person’s mind, body, and health. Depending on how much alcohol a person consumes in a given period of time effects them in many different ways. It is important to take note of these effects and remember them next time you pick up a drink.

Effects on the Body

Alcohol consumption in large amounts is very harmful to the body and after extensive use will begin to harm every vital organ within the body. This happens because alcohol is ingested via the mouth. Once reaching the stomach the alcohol will then absorb into the bloodstream, only about 20 percent of the alcohol consumed is absorbed. The remaining alcohol continues to travel through the blood stream until it reaches the small intestine, there it will also absorb into the blood stream. Once in the blood stream, alcohol travels to the liver. Here alcohol is metabolized and broken down by enzymes. The problem is, the liver can only metabolize on average one standard drink of alcohol per hour. If more alcohol is consumed within this time frame, the liver is unable to metabolize it all and the remaining content continues on throughout the body making its way into the tissues and blood stream.

Alcohol and the Brain

After drinking alcohol an individual begins to lose or has limited use of some of their basic functioning skills. These are some of the following functioning skills that an individual loses temporarily after consuming alcohol.

Impaired Vision (blurriness)

Delayed Reaction Time

Temporary Memory Loss

Trouble walking or standing

Inability to react on time

How much an individual consumes is a direct factor in deciding how and how severely they are affected. By only drinking only one to two drinks a person begins to experience several of these problems, but once they sober up the problems will disappear. However when a heavy and persistent drinking consumes large amounts of alcohol their side effects often take on a more severe and permanent role that does not go away with sobriety. Often times these effects are irreversible.

Alcohol and the Liver

Drinking alcohol directly affects the liver, because this is where the alcohol from the blood stream is metabolized. Two of the most harmful conditions that the liver faces from alcohol consumption are Hepatitis and cirrhosis. Both are a result of excessive and uncontrolled drinking.  The liver plays an important role in cleaning out the liver from harmful toxins that enter into the body by drugs and alcohol. Whenever the liver works to break down the alcohol in ones system inflammation occurs. This inflammation that is occurring is called liver hepatitis and includes such symptoms such as nausea, fevers, and tiredness. Along with experiencing these individuals also begins to experience dry mouth, weight gain, and abdomen pain. This is the formation stages of a disease called jaundice. Going untreated for a long amount of time alcohol hepatitis can result in a coma or death.

Cirrhosis is a term used to describe the scaring of the liver that is associated with alcohol hepatitis. This harms the liver in that due to scarring on the liver walls there becomes less and less healthy tissue in which can carry out the livers obligations. Ultimately this leads to liver failure. Symptoms of liver cirrhosis are often not noted until the disease has become too severe.

In 2010 Pennsylvania reported a staggering 444 alcohol related death as a result of drunk driving. Over 35 percent of adults age 21 through 25 have been involved in a fatal car crash. Situations like this are one hundred percent preventable if people who drink would just avoid getting behind the wheel. Drinking alcohol lead to approximately 14,406 liver failures, and roughly 23,199 deaths just from over consumption, this excludes the increasing number of deaths brought on by alcohol related car crashes and homicides. A sad fact to add into these statistics is that most of these deaths are due to excessive underage drinking by those under the age of twenty one.

Alcohol consumption is very dangerous to your health.  If possible consumption of alcohol of any kind should be avoided. Not only is your health endangered by alcohol but also your well being. Alcohol use also affects your personal life. By drinking one often becomes overwhelmed by alcohols effects and losses interest in the things that once mattered to them, including family and friends. If you or someone you know becomes affected by alcohol and addicted they should receive immediate help. Whether it is going to an addiction counselor or attending a facility that helps provide assistance. This help can be received at Narconon arrowhead which helps individuals struggling with addiction. A qualified representative is available to help you simply by calling 1-800-468-6933.

References:

http://www.ehow.com/about_4811211_alcohol-effects-liver.html

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm

http://www.bloodalcohol.info/how-alcohol-affects-your-body.php

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm