The American Institute for fighting alcoholism ensures the following statistical data:
- 87% of people aged 18 years and older took alcohol during their lifetime;
- 71% consumed alcohol in the last year;
- 56% – in the last month.
If you take into account the harm for the person and others, alcohol – is the most harmful drug in the world. It is much more harmful than heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine. It happens because of a greater amount of alcohol taken by people. Alcohol is more popular than any other narcotic substance.
News reports cover crimes committed when being drug intoxicated, but no one pays attention to crimes committed being drunk. This is similar to the accident situation. Everyone doesn’t care about car accidents, but as soon as the ship goes aground or there is a plane crash, all these events cover all the Internet. When taking alcohol, we forget that stumbling tongue, fun and hangover are not all the influence of alcohol on our bodies.
How alcohol affects the body?
The stomach absorbs approximately 20% of drunk alcohol. The small intestine absorbs left 80%. How quickly alcohol is absorbed is dependent on its concentration in the beverage. The greater it is, the faster the intoxication will take place. Vodka, for example, is absorbed much faster than beer. It is better to take alcoholic beverages on a full stomach to avoid an intoxicating effect.
After the alcohol has penetrated into the stomach and small intestine, the blood flow distributes it all over the body. Simultaneously, human body is trying to excrete it.
The liver solves with the rest of alcohol, it brings to much damage to this organ. There are 2 main reasons alcohol brings damage to the liver known as oxidative stress. As a result of chemical reactions that accompany the alcohol excretion through the liver, its cells may be damaged. The body will take all the efforts to heal itself, finally, inflammation or cell damage may appear.
Toxins in intestinal bacteria may also be found. Alcohol can bring damage to the intestines, provoking intestinal bacteria to penetrate into the liver causing inflammation.
Alcohol effect does not take place immensely, but only after conducting some steps. It happens when the amount of incoming alcohol exceeds the amount that is excreted by the body.
The effect of alcohol on the brain
The common symptoms of alcohol intoxication on the brain are faltered tongue, uncontrolled body parts and memory loss. People frequently taking alcohol begin to suffer problems with coordinating ability, balance and common sense. One of the main symptoms is a hindered reaction, because of which drivers are banned to drive a car under the alcohol influence.
Neurotransmitters are answerable for controlling external stimuli, emotions and behavior. They can either result in electrical activity in the brain or suppress it.
One of the most significant inhibitory neurotransmitters is gamma-aminobutyric acid. Alcohol improves its effect, thereby slowing movements and speech of drunk people.