Negative Effects of Alcohol
Team Two
University of Phoenix Negative Effects of Alcohol
Many alcohol consumers only think about the positive effects of consuming alcohol, the pleasurable time they will have with their friends. Little do they know, about the negative effects alcohol carries with it. This research will discus the negative effects alcohol has regarding: addiction, genetics, health, family, and advertisement.
“Alcohol addiction is a physiological dependence on alcohol” (National Institute of Health, 2000). This means a person has no control over whether he or she takes a drink. Physical addiction is when a person’s body actually becomes dependent on alcohol. It also means that a person builds tolerance to that
…show more content…
Or both”? (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1992).
Alcohol has no beneficial attributes on a person’s health. Alcohol can have several harmful effects on human organs. Some organs in the human body that are damaged by alcohol consumption are the brain, kidneys, and liver. The human liver is the one organ that suffers the most damage. As stated in an article published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Because the liver is the chief organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, it is especially vulnerable to alcohol – related injury” (NIAAA, 2005). Regular use of alcohol can lead to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The severity of ALD can vary based on several different factors. Some of these factors include gender, age, the amount consumed, and how often alcohol is used. “ALD includes three conditions: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis” (Alcohol Alert, 2005).
The first condition of ALD is fatty liver which is the build up of fat cells in the liver. It is the earliest stage of the disease. People can develop fatty liver just by drinking heavily for a period as short as three days. “Heavy drinking is considered three to four drinks (30 grams) a day for a man and two to three drinks (20 grams) a day for women” ( USC Research, 2006). To some people that could be cutting loose on a weekend trip to Las Vegas. The next stage of the disease is alcoholic hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by long periods
Liver disease resulting from alcohol affects more than two million Americans and is one of the primary causes of illness and death. The liver frees the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol. While the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that can be even more dangerous than the alcohol consumed (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). “These by-products damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses. Eventually, these problems can disrupt the body’s metabolism and impair the function of other organs” (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). A condition called steatosis is the result of fat build up in the liver and is the
Alcohol abuse is characterized by responsibilities in life suffering due to alcohol use, running into legal and personal troubles as a result of alcohol, and drinking even in dangerous situations. Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is distinguished from alcohol abuse as the individual craves alcohol, continues to drink even after running into problems as a result of drinking, and being unable to moderate one's drinking. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from alcohol abuse or dependence, there are many treatment options available including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), therapy, and
The effects of ethanol on humans starts when the alcohol enters the bloodstream, and the more alcohol that enters the bloodstream, there’s a higher risk for effects. Some of the effects include, “reduced inhibitions, slurred speech, motor impairment, confusion, memory problems, concentration problems, coma, breathing problems, and even death. Additionally, alcohol can cause car crashes and accidents, risky behavior, violent behavior, and suicide or homicide.” Alcohol can also take effect on the brain, heart (cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, stoke, HBP), liver (alcoholic hepatitis), pancreas, can cause cancer, and can cause damage to one’s immune system.
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause profound amounts of birth defects and mental retardation. Drinking alcohol is composed of ethanol, a flammable liquid, which is made by fermentation. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol can affect different parts of the human body such as the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, the immune system, and plays a role in cancer (NIH, n.d.). In the brain, alcohol can intervene in communication pathways, which affects how the brain works. Alcohol can cause many different heart defects and disorders such as cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeats, stroke, high blood pressure and in some cases heart attack. Alcohol proves to be very damaging to the liver, especially in alcoholism. In many cases, the liver turns into scar tissue causing fibrosis and cirrhosis. Other liver problems can include having a fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis. Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease, the first stage of alcohol-induced liver disease, occurs when fat is depositing in liver cells. Alcoholic hepatitis is very similar to fatty liver disease, although it presents with inflammation and scarring of the liver. Many alcoholic’s liver becomes so scarred that it is irreversible, which is called alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most progressive form of alcohol-related liver disease and presents as severe scarring, with termination of normal liver structure. The pancreas is also affected by long-term
since when you drink the liver takes it all and processes most of it the liver will eventually get damaged because you are drinking too much you can easily get permanent brain damage if you aren't careful of what you drink or how much.
Drinking alcohol in excess quantity, the body will receive. System will affect work in the body, which has the effect to cause serious disease. The main diseases that arise directly from drinking alcohol is liver cirrhosis by the cause of the disease, this 70-80% come from drinking alcohol because drinking alcohol more than 80 grams per day consecutively for a long period of several
is working properly. “The liver is an organ that stores nutrients and energy and without it working properly our health would not be satisfying”. Like Tabaco that damages the lungs or even unprotected sex, alcohol does its bad job to damage the liver. It is not good to drink alcohol as a hobby or many times a day, week. The liver metabolizes the alcohol. Too much alcohol can lead to alcohol liver disease according to webmd.com. Everybody is different depending on their lifestyle, eating habits, not all will be exposed to the disease. According to the institution, “Abstinence from alcohol is required to prevent any other liver damage, scarring, and liver cancer” For example like Pregnancy, the safest way not to get a woman pregnant or to get pregnant is simply stay away from sexual intercourse, although in our world today it is very difficult to do
The abuse of alcohol over long periods of time may also cause diseases such as cirrhosis, acute alcohol hepatitis, and the most severe liver disease. Cirrhosis is a disease in which the liver becomes so scarred that the patient lacks sufficient healthy tissue to perform the organ?s functions. Once you?ve got it, you are stuck with it. (Gross, 6) The worst thing about these diseases is that you will not know you have them unless you are medically examined on a regular basis. Alcohol consumption is a large contributor to the development of several types of cancer- mostly dealing with the neck and brain. We know that cancer kills and therefore it is safe to say that in some cases, alcohol can be deadly. It is important to realize that alcoholism is a disease. A heavy drinker will experience the effects of withdrawal syndrome (which include hypertension, anxiety, disorientation, hallucinations, and seizures) if he decides to stop drinking. Being addicted to alcohol is similar to being addicted to any other drug in that once one starts using, it is tough to live without. It is also a ?gateway drug? just as marijuana and other sedatives. (Bennett, Woolf, 13-23)
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause profound amounts of birth defects and mental retardation. Drinking alcohol is composed of ethanol, a flammable liquid, which is made by fermentation. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol can affect different parts of the human body such as the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, the immune system, and plays a role in cancer (NIH, n.d.). In the brain, alcohol can intervene in communication pathways, which affects how the brain works. Alcohol can cause many different heart defects and disorders such as cardiomyopathy, irregular heartbeats, stroke, high blood pressure and in some cases heart attack. Alcohol proves to be very damaging to the liver, especially in alcoholism. In many cases, the liver turns into scar tissue causing fibrosis and cirrhosis. Other liver problems can include having a fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis. Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease, the first stage of alcohol-induced liver disease, occurs when fat is depositing in liver cells. Alcoholic hepatitis is very similar to fatty liver disease, although it presents with inflammation and scarring of the liver. Many alcoholic’s liver becomes so scarred that it is irreversible, which is called alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis is the most progressive form of
Alcohol is one of many dangerous substances that effects our bodies. The effects of this drug can be very harmful. Alcohol is a potent non-prescription drug sold to anyone over the national legal drinking age, 21. Unlike other deadly drugs it is easy to access. This makes it easy to over-consume and create a tragic accident, even death. It can damage a person not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Many people each year become more and more addicted to alcohol and soon experience all of it?s dangerous effects. Even if alcohol use is discontinued, some of these damages can not be cured, because the scars have been left on those that drink and those that surround them. The only hope
Drinking alcohol for a period of time or even binge drinking cause harm your heart. Alcohol increases the risk for heart attack, strokes, and hypertension. In 2013, a total of 71,713 people died of liver disease the ages ranged from 12 and older. Alcohol has also been known to affect the pancreas, large amounts of alcohol can confuse the pancreas causing it to secrete enzymes into the small intestines, which causes inflammation of the pancreas called Pancreatitis. It is a known fact that alcohol affects the liver but can also spread to the kidneys. Alcohol puts a strain on the body which increases the amount of urine the body produces. The kidneys are not able to distribute sodium, potassium and chloride ions, this also leads to high blood pressure.
"Many alcoholics exhibit swollen and tender livers. The prolonged use of large amounts of alcoholism without adequate diet may cause serious liver damage, such as
Alcohol is defined as “a colorless liquid obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches” (The Leading Free Dictionary Site, 2016). The use of alcohol is described in the Bible “Wine is a mocker” and “strong drink is raging” Proverbs 20:1 (King James Version). Many frugal businesspersons have capitalized on the use of alcohol in their manufacturing processes and have used alcohol as a preservative in a wide range of household consumer products, and casual drinking is a way of life; or so it seems. Despite these widespread uses of alcohol, the abuse of alcohol as a drug, or as a means of avoiding reality can be harmful. Excessive consumption of alcohol adversely affects one’s physical health, mental health, and family life.
Alcohol is a very serious and dangerous drug, although it is not treated this way anymore. College students have taken drinking to a new level in which, for many, is very scary. Alcohol is much more dangerous than many would think. Kids see a night of drinking as a great way to have fun and party but do not see the consequences. Getting drunk and even blacking out can lead to many problems. When alcohol is consumed in unhealthy amounts, it can lead to not only short-term effects, but long-term ones as well.
Once you start to become addicted to alcohol you are considered an alcoholic. There are many long term effects that come along with drinking lots of alcohol for a prolonged amount of time. Drinking alcohol like this will damage your organs, like the brain, liver, stomach, intestines,