Alcohol Essay, Research Paper
alcohol consumption Alcohol, probably the oldest drug known, has been used at least since the earliest societies for which records exist. Of the numerous types of alcohol, ethyl alcohol is the type consumed in drinking. In its pure form it is a clear substance with little odor. People drink alcohol in three main kinds of beverages: BEERS, which are made from grain through brewing and fermentation and contain from 3% to 8% alcohol; WINES, which are fermented from fruits such as grapes and contain from 8% to 12% alcohol naturally, and up to 21% when fortified by adding alcohol; and distilled beverages (spirits) such as WHISKEY, GIN, and VODKA, which on the average contain from 40% to 50% alcohol. Drinkers may become addicted to any of these beverages. Physical Effects of Alcohol The effects of alcohol on the human body depend on the amount of alcohol in the blood (blood-alcohol concentration). This varies with the rate of consumption and with the rate at which the drinker’s physical system absorbs and metabolizes alcohol. The higher the alcohol content of the beverage consumed, the more alcohol will enter the bloodstream. The amount and type of food in the stomach also affect the absorption rate. Drinking when the stomach is filled is less intoxicating than when it is empty; the foods in the stomach, which contain fat and protein, delay alcohol absorption. Body weight is also a factor; the heavier the person, the slower the absorption of alcohol. After alcohol passes through the stomach, it is rapidly absorbed through the walls of the intestines into the bloodstream and carried to the various organ systems of the body, where it is metabolized. Although small amounts of alcohol are processed by the kidneys and secreted in the urine, and other small amounts are processed through the lungs and exhaled in the breath, most of the alcohol is metabolized by the liver. As the alcohol is metabolized, it gives off heat. The body metabolizes alcohol at about the rate of three-fourths of an ounce to one ounce of whiskey an hour. Technically it is possible to drink at the same rate as the alcohol is being oxidized out of the body. Most people, however, drink faster than this, and so the concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream keeps rising. Alcohol begins to impair the brain’s ability to function when the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.05%, that is, 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 cubic centimeters of blood. Most state traffic laws in the United States presume that a driver with a BAC of 0.10% is intoxicated. With a concentration of 0.20% (a level obtained from drinking about 10 ounces of whiskey), a person has difficulty controlling the emotions and may cry or laugh extensively. The person will experience a great deal of difficulty in attempting to walk and will want to lie down. When the blood-alcohol content reaches about 0.30%, which can be attained when a person rapidly drinks about a pint of whiskey, the drinker will have trouble comprehending and may become unconscious. At levels from 0.35% to 0.50%, the brain centers that control breathing and heart action are affected; concentrations above 0.50% may cause death, although a person generally becomes unconscious before absorbing a lethal dosage. Moderate or temperate use of alcohol is not harmful, but excessive or heavy drinking is associated with alcoholism and numerous other health problems. The effects of excessive drinking on major organ systems of the human body are cumulative and become evident after heavy, continuous drinking or after intermittent drinking over a period of time that may range from 5 to 30 years. The parts of the body most affected by heavy drinking are the digestive and nervous systems. Digestive-system disorders that may be related to heavy drinking include cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus; gastritis; ulcers; cirrhosis of the liver; and inflammation of the pancreas. Disorders of the nervous system can include neuritis, lapse of memory (blackouts), hallucinations, and extreme tremor as found in delirium tremens. Delirium tremens (”the DTs”) may occur when a person stops drinking after a period of heavy, continuous imbibing. Permanent damage to the brain and central nervous system may also result, including Korsakoff psychosis and Wernicke’s disease. Recent evidence indicates that pregnant women who drink heavily may give birth to infants with the FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME, which is characterized by face and body abnormalities and, in some cases, impaired intellectual facilities. Additionally, the combination of alcohol and drugs, such as commonly used sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antibiotics, and aspirin, can be fatal, even when both are taken in nonlethal doses. Drinking Patterns Many studies have been made of attitudes toward drinking in different societies. Every culture has its own general ethos or sense of decorum about the use and role of alcoholic beverages within its social structure. In some cultures drinking is either forbidden or frowned upon. The Koran contains prohibitions against drinking, and Muslims are forbidden to sell or serve alcoholic beverages. Hindus take a negative view of the use of alcohol; this is reflected in the constitution of India, which requires every state to work toward the prohibition of alcohol except for medicinal purposes. Abstinence from alcohol has also been the goal of temperance movements in Europe and the United States. Some Christian religious groups strongly urge abstinence, including the Christian Scientists, Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Pentecostalists, and some Baptists and Methodists. In some ambivalent cultures, such as the United States and Ireland, the values of those who believe in abstinence conflict with the values of those who regard moderate drinking as a way of being hospitable and sociable. This accounts for the plethora of laws and regulations that restrict the buying of alcoholic beverages. Some psychologists say that this ambivalence in the culture makes it harder for some people to develop a stable attitude toward drinking. Some cultures have a permissive attitude toward drinking, including those of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Japan, and Israel. The proportion of Jews and Italians who use alcohol is high, but the rates of alcoholism among them are lower than in Irish and Scandinavian groups. Some cultures may be said to look too favorably upon drinking, as do the French. In France the heavy consumption of alcohol has been related to the fact that many people are engaged in viticulture and in the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Various surveys indicate that subgroups within a society or culture do not all have the same attitudes toward alcoholic beverages or the same drinking patterns. Drinking behavior differs significantly among groups of different age, sex, social class, racial status, ethnic background, occupational status, religious affiliation, and regional location. David J. Pittman Bibliography: Austin, G.A., Alcohol in Western Society from Antiquity to 1800 (1985); Barrows, Susanna, and Roam, Robin, eds., Drinking: Behavior and Belief in Modern History (1990); Birnbaum, Isabel, and Parker, Elizabeth, Alcohol and Human Memory (1977); Goldstein, Dora B., Pharmacology of Alcohol (1983); Lender, Mark E., and Martin, James K., Drinking in America: A History (1982); Luks, Alan, and Barbato, Joseph, You Are What You Drink (1989); Mendelson, Jack H., and Mello, Nancy K., Alcohol: Use and Abuse in America (1985); Plotkin, R.A., Intervention Handbook: The Legal Aspects of Serving Alcohol (1988); Royal College of Psychiatrists, Alcohol: Our Favorite Drug (1986); Solomon, Joel, and Keeley, Kim, Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Similarities and Differences (1982); West, James R., Alcohol and Brain Development (1986).
Другие работы по теме:
Alcohol Misuse Among Minors In The UK
Essay, Research Paper The law in this country states that it is illegal for anyone under 18 years to consume alcohol or to work in licensed premises; to buy alcohol or to have it bought for them anywhere. Those
Economy Jobs And You Essay Research Paper
Economy, Jobs, and You 1. If the government were to tax alcohol on volume alone we would see a rise in consumption of higher grained alchohol. People would be able to buy a less amount and reach the same effect due to a higher concentrate of ethyl alcohol. The governments’ current system helps reduce drunkenness a bit because it puts a greater price tag on alcohol that is higher in potency.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper Great controversy surrounded
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Great controversy surrounded the 1920 s, Prohibition of alcohol in the United States. Since this time, it has been debated on as to whether the Prohibition of alcohol should be reinstated. There are so many reasons why alcohol should be prohibited, and yet, so many reasons why alcohol should stay legalized.
Lower The Drinking Age In The United
States Essay, Research Paper The laws for alcohol consumption and use in the United States have changed several times over the past century. The United States has tried prohibition as well as laws requiring a specific age for legal alcohol consumption. None of these measures have had a significant impact on the purposes for which they were designed.
Report On Drunk Driving Essay Research Paper
No one can drink and drive safely. Alcohol is a depressant. It affects all the cells of the body, especially the brain central nervous system. As a result, alcohol dulls your memory concentration, insight, perception and judgements. The move alcohol in your blood, the more your driving errors increase. You will react more slowly.
Drinking And Driving Essay Research Paper ALCOHOL
Drinking And Driving Essay, Research Paper ALCOHOL is the most commonly used psychoactive (mind-altering) substance used in the United States. Ethyl alcohol is the active psychoactive drug found in alcoholic beverages. It is produced as a waste product of the fermentation of carbohydrates, and is consumed worldwide for the social and psychological effects it produces.
Alcohol Is Bad Essay Research Paper Alcohol
Alcohol Is Bad Essay, Research Paper Alcohol and other Drug Education Writing Assignment The most important thing that I have gotten out of participating in the Alcohol 101 CD ROM is that one should be responsible with life. The CD reinforced my thoughts on the lack of respect for life drinking and driving involves, as well as all of the shown predicaments.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper The Affects of
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper The Affects of Alcoholism Drinking for many starts as a seldom habit. We may drink for strictly social reasons, but for some the problem becomes uncontrollable. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn demonstrates the affect alcohol has on Huck. But, alcohol affects more than just one person it affects a whole community.
Las Drogas Essay Research Paper El Alcohol
Las Drogas Essay, Research Paper El Alcohol y Las Drogas En nuestra sociedad tenemos muchos problemas. Alcohol y el uso de las drogas causaba muchos de nuestros problemas. Hay dos casos que yo voy a discutir. Los casos son de dos jugadores de futbol americano. Se llaman Lawrence Taylor y Craig Heyward. Lawrence Taylor, a un tiempo el mejor jugador de futbol americano, tomo la droga se llama cocaina.
Deaths Due To Alcohol Essay Research Paper
Excessive alcohol consumption causes more than 100,000 deaths annually in the United States, and although the number shows little sign of declining, the rate per 100,000 population has trended down
Drugs And Alcohol Essay Research Paper Alli
Drugs And Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Alli Kelly Drugs in Society Drugs and Alcohol in the Life of Celebrities So you think most celebrities have such “perfect” lives? You are wrong. Many celebrities appear to have “perfect” lives with all the money, popularity and friends they have. But for many celebrities money, popularity, and friends just isn’t enough.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper In today s
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper In today s world, teenagers are faced with many choices and have to make decisions that can and will often affect the rest of their lives. The consequences of alcohol use must become a reality among teenagers. Drinking alcohol can and will impair a wide range of skills necessary to perform daily tasks.
Is Alcohol Harmful To Our Life Essay
, Research Paper So much information about adverse effects of alcohol is known. Yet, a large number of people condone what is known to them. Overlooking the negative effects of alcohol can turn the alcohol into a deadly weapon. Alcohol can cause deaths, diseases, and family problems.
Lava Lamp Paper how To Make Essay
, Research Paper Things you can use to make a Lava Lamp. There are many things you can use to make a Lava Lamp. Aside from wax and water, there are many other substances that you can use to make the lamp work in the same fashion. For example, you can use mineral oil as the lava and 90% isopropyl alcohol mixed with 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) as the liquid inside the lamp.
Drinking And Driving Essay Research Paper Drinking
Drinking And Driving Essay, Research Paper Drinking and Driving is dangerous to yourself and others around you. Alcohol is a depressant, it impairs your ability to drive, slows down your reaction time and causes you to make some risky decisions that you wouldn’t normally take. The penalty for Drinking and Driving is Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
Alcoholism Essay Research Paper AlcoholismAlcoholismAn overwhelming desire
Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Alcoholism Alcoholism-An overwhelming desire to drink alcohol, even though it is causing harm. Alcohol is a drug. In the United States alcoholism is the most widespread form of drug abuse, effecting at least 5 million people. About one third of high school students in the US are though to be problem drinkers.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper AlcoholTeenagers in society
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Alcohol Teenagers in society today have a different outlook on life. They mature at a faster rate then we realize. Many teens start experimenting with alcohol at the young age of thirteen and fourteen (Alcohol and teen drinking Aug 21, 2000). Some start even earlier if they have parents that drink or an older sibling that abuses alcohol.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper Alcohol was a
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Alcohol was a very bad thing for me to do. But I decided to do it anyway. It got me in all kinds of trouble. Like the time I got kicked out of my house. That was real hard trying to live on my own and support my alcohol addiction. But I finally went to A.A.A. and got my life back. Thank God!! But then i had to get off the drugs and that was a very hard thing to do seeing how the parents of my friends used to give me the drugs if i gave them sex that was a very bad experince for me. but I got through it and found a way to go on.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay Research Paper It
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay, Research Paper It can take as little as one ounce of alcohol for a child to suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This is the leading cause of mental retardation in the Western World. It is now widely accepted by nmedical authorities and researchers that women who drink during pregnancy can adversely affect the development of their unborn infant.
Alcohol 2 Essay Research Paper Alcohol is
Alcohol 2 Essay, Research Paper Alcohol is a drug, but unlike the other drug , marijuana, cocaine, heroine, and probably all the others for some reason this is socially accepted and is legal. Alcohol is bad for you and does have long term affects associated with it. Such as the long addiction to it, effects on the body, and the social interaction effects.
History Of Drug Regulation Essay Research Paper
Throughout history, there have been several methods to attempt to control substance abuse. Alcohol is one drug that the government has attempted to regulate throughout history. In some ways it has decreased its use and in others, increased it.
College Alcoholism Essay Research Paper Alcohol consumption
College Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Alcohol consumption has been an issue across college campuses for many decades. College students have made alcohol the representation of student life at colleges throughout the nation. Students believe that getting intoxicated is necessary to make their college experience unforgettable.
Drugs And Alcohol Essay Research Paper Drugs
Drugs And Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Drugs and Alcohol In today’s college experience both drugs and alcohol are factors in a students everyday life. Although drinking under the age of twenty-one and the use of non-prescription drugs are illegal they are still prevalent. Both substances are easily accessible to today’s college students.
Alcohol In College Essay Research Paper 2
Alcohol In College Essay, Research Paper ?Alcohol and drugs come hand in hand with attending college?, this statement is thought to be truthful when talking about college or
Teenagers And Alcohol Essay Research Paper Teenagers
Teenagers And Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Teenagers and Alcohol ?Spank them moderately and send them to church and don?t give them anything to drink until they?re 18, and that?s about all we can say.? This advice was given by the Associated Press to parents of teenagers regarding the topic of alcohol. The facts have shown, however, that this is not all parents can say or do.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper Should alcohol production
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper Should alcohol production, sale, and consumption be prohibited? I think not. For hundreds of years, man has had choices ? choices pertaining their food intake, their living quarters, and their life mates. Whether or not to consume alcohol has been a choice that man has had through recent history and is a choice which I believe should remain just that ? a choice.
Drugs In The Prison System Essay Research
Paper Drugs and Alcohol in the Untied State prison system In the Untied States most of the prison population are people that have been involved with Alcohol or some form of drugs. Many of them were high or drunk at the time of there arrest. Most of them only did the crimes to be able to support there drug and alcohol addiction.
The Drinking Age 21 For Everyone Essay
, Research Paper The Drinking Age: 21 For Everyone? Mike Bilyeu In the United States, the legal drinking age for all 50 States and the District of Columbia is 21 years of age. The drinking age is 21 because the
Alcohol Advertising Essay Research Paper Every time
Alcohol Advertising Essay, Research Paper Every time you turn on the television you are more than likely to come across a beer commercial. Beer commercials “show how much fun it is to drink and how popular it makes you” ( Monroe, 2). The ads depict young, beautiful people partying and having a good time, but is this truly what happens when you consume alcohol? By drinking alcohol, will you be transported to a wonderful world of beautiful women and good times? The ads beer companies produce try to make the consumer believe that what happens to the people in the ad will happen to them if they consume that particular product.The most common type of beer ads shows average men meeting and socializing with beautiful, glamorous, young women and having a good time.
Alcohol Warnings Essay Research Paper The FDA
Alcohol Warnings Essay, Research Paper The FDA is considering additional warnings on beer and alcohol bottles, such as: WARNING: consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.