| Alcohol abuse effects can be far-reaching and | | | | |
| devastating. The effects of alcohol abuse not | | | | 5. Coma - at a blood alcohol level of 0.50, a |
| only have consequences for the drinker but | | | | person is at risk for coma, which can be |
| those around her or him as well. Alcohol | | | | life-threatening. And at this level or |
| abuse effects can be both psychological and | | | | higher, respiratory paralysis and death |
| physical. Alcohol consumption causes changes | | | | become very much a possibility. |
| in behavior. The physical effects of alcohol | | | | |
| abuse can be experienced with as little as | | | | Other alcohol abuse effects that are |
| one or two drinks. Impaired judgment and | | | | short-term include nausea, hangovers, |
| coordination needed to operate a car safely | | | | headaches and fatigue. The longer a person |
| may result in the drinker having an accident. | | | | abuses alcohol over time, the higher the |
| | | | chances of other alcohol abuse effects being |
| Alcoholism is an illness where alcoholic | | | | experienced and alcohol dependency |
| beverage consumption is at a level that | | | | developing. The most severe form of |
| interferes with physical or mental health, | | | | alcoholism is 'alcohol dependency'. Physical |
| and negatively impacts social, family or | | | | alcohol dependence is characterized by |
| occupational responsibilities. Alcohol | | | | withdrawal symptoms when alcohol consumption |
| abusers are drinkers that may drink | | | | is interrupted, by tolerance to the effects |
| excessively at various times with resulting | | | | of alcohol abuse and by the presence of |
| immediate alcohol abuse effects at the time | | | | alcohol-related illnesses. |
| of excess alcohol consumption. | | | | |
| | | | Malnutrition can develop from a reduced |
| The immediate physical effects of alcohol | | | | appetite plus inadequate absorption of |
| abuse can be experienced as soon as ten | | | | nutrients in the intestinal tract and from |
| minutes after drinking begins. With continued | | | | consuming 'empty' calories in alcohol. |
| alcohol consumption on that occasion, the | | | | Calories from alcohol are called 'empty' |
| immediate effects of alcohol abuse worsen and | | | | calories since alcohol contains no beneficial |
| become more serious. | | | | nutrients, vitamins or minerals. |
| | | | |
| Here are five of the immediate physical | | | | And with continued alcohol consumption and |
| alcohol abuse effects: | | | | abuse over years, many of the body organs |
| | | | will be affected. Alcohol is especially |
| 1. Inhibitions Become Reduced - at a blood | | | | harmful to the liver since the liver does |
| alcohol concentration of 0.05, changes in a | | | | most of the work of breaking down alcohol. |
| person's behavior begins to be noticable. | | | | Alcohol destroys liver cells, and it destroys |
| Alcohol abuse effects and reduced inhibitions | | | | the ability of liver cells to regenerate. |
| can put a person at higher risk for actions | | | | This condition leads to progressive |
| they would otherwise not participate in, such | | | | imflammatory injury to the liver and |
| as sexual activity, continued drinking or | | | | eventually can result in cirrhosis of the |
| illegal drug use. | | | | liver. |
| | | | |
| 2. Loss of Muscle Control - at the level of | | | | Additional long term alcohol abuse effects |
| 0.10, slurred speech will likely be evident. | | | | include damage to the brain, high blood |
| Impaired judgement and poor coordination are | | | | pressure, heart muscle damage, nerve damage, |
| physical effects of alcohol abuse that can | | | | pancreatitis, bleeding in the esophagus, |
| lead to falls and accidents. | | | | erectile dysfunction in men, fetal alcohol |
| | | | syndrome in the offspring of alcoholic women, |
| 3. Memory Loss and/or Blackouts - since | | | | insomnia, depression and increased cancer |
| alcohol depresses the brain's control | | | | risks. |
| mechanisms, as blood alcohol levels increase, | | | | |
| periods of time and certain situations and | | | | If you or someone you know may have problems |
| events may not be remembered afterward. | | | | with alcohol and you'd like to learn more |
| | | | about alcoholism and perhaps seek help, there |
| 4. Stupor - at a blood alcohol concentration | | | | are proven resources available. It is never |
| of 0.40, a person can hardly function, acting | | | | too late to begin recovery from alcohol |
| seriously dazed and confused. | | | | addiction and alcohol abuse effects. |