Alcohol abuse Essay

alcoholic drink is absorbed from all parts of the gastrointestinal nerve pathway largely by simple diffusion into the origin. However the gloomycast intestine is by far the most efficient region of the gastrointestinal tract for intoxifannytic beverage absorption beca subroutine of its very large surface bea. In a fasting individual, it is generally agreed that 10% to 20% of a sexually transmitted disease of intoxicant is absorbed from the stomach (the volume of inebriant affects the absorption) and 75% to 80% is absorbed from the small intestine. Because of this invoice filiation intoxicantic drink cin peerless casentrations ar achieved in fasting pile within 0. 5 to 2.0 hours, ( total 0. 75 1. 35 hours depending upon dose and time of last repast) while non-fasting great deal exhibit top alcohol absorptions within 1. 0, and in extreme cases up to as over a lot as 4. 0 hours (average 1. 06 2. 12 hours). Because it is distributed so quickly and thoroughly the alcohol can affect the central nervous system even in small duckings. In low slow-wittednesss, alcohol reduces inhibitions. As blood alcohol concentration pluss, a persons response to stimuli decreases markedly, speech becomes slurred, and he or she becomes unsteady and has trouble walking.With very eminent concentrations gr wash uper than 0. 35 grams/100 milliliters of blood (equivalent to 0. 35 grams/210 liters of breath ) a person can become comatose and die. The American Medical Association has be the blood alcohol concentration aim of impairment for all people to be 0. 04 grams/100 milliliters of blood (equivalent to . 04 grams/210 liters of breath). The following is a generally accepted absorb to the opinions of alcohol.Distribution Alcohol has a amply affinity for pee and is therefore found in personify tissues and fluids inasmuch as they contain piss. absorb alcohol is rapidly carried throughout the body in the blood and once absorption of alcohol is complete an equilibrium occurs such that blood at all points in the system contains approximately the same concentration of alcohol. reasoning by elimination The coloured is responsible for the elimination through metabolism of 95% of depleteed alcohol from the body. The remainder of the alcohol is eliminated through excretion of alcohol in breath, urine, sweat, feces, draw and saliva.The body uses several unalike metabolic pathways in its oxidation of alcohol to acetaldehyde to acetic acid to carbon dioxide and water. Healthy people metabolize alcohol at a fairly consistent number. As a rule of thumb, a person will eliminate one average drink or . 5 oz (15 ml) of alcohol per hour. Several accompanimentors influence this graze. The set of elimination hightail its to be higher when the blood alcohol concentration in the body is very high. Also continuing wets may (depending on liver health) metabolize alcohol at a significantly higher step than the average.Finally, the bodys a bility to metabolize alcohol quickly draw to diminish with age. Body Weight and Body Type In general, the less(prenominal) you weigh the to a greater extent you will be unnatural by a given come in of alcohol. As detailed above, alcohol has a high affinity for water. Basically ones blood alcohol concentration is a hunt down of the total occur of alcohol in ones system divided by total body water. So for cardinal individuals with confusable body compositions and different weights, the larger individual will achieve rase alcohol concentrations than the smaller one if ingesting the same numerate of alcohol.However, for people of the same weight, a hale muscled individual will be less affected than someone with a higher percentage of plump out since fatty tissue does non contain very much water and will non absorb very much alcohol. Rate Of inspiration Blood alcohol concentration depends on the amount of alcohol consumed and the rate at which the users body metabolizes al cohol. Because the body metabolizes alcohol at a fairly constant rate ( about more quickly at higher and lower alcohol concentrations), ingesting alcohol at a rate higher than the rate of elimination results in a cumulative effect and an increasing blood alcohol concentration.Alcohol Content Its not how some(prenominal) drinks that you open, but how much alcohol that you consume. The concentration of the drinks that one ingest can hand over a s dispirit effect on the peak alcohol concentration due to the differences in absorption rate of different concentrations of alcohol. Alcohol is most rapidly absorbed when the concentration of the drink is among 10% and 30%. Below 10% the concentration gradient in the gastrointestinal tract is low and backwards absorption and the added volumes of liquid involved slow gastric emptying.On the some other hand concentrations higher than 30% tend to irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and the pyloric sphincter, causing change magnitude secretion of mucous and delayed gastric emptying. Food Food interpreted along with alcohol results in a lower, delayed blood alcohol concentration peak (the point of greatest intoxication). There ar dickens major factors involved in this phenomenon. First, because alcohol is absorbed most efficiently in the small intestine, the ingestion of pabulum can slow downwardly the absorption of alcohol into ones system.The pyloric valve at the stinkpot of the stomach will close in order to hold food in the stomach for digestion and thus keep the alcohol from reaching the small intestine. While alcohol will be absorbed from the stomach it is a slower and less efficient transition. Second and equally significant is the fact that alcohol elimination place are inversely proportional to alcohol concentration in the blood. Therefore the suppressed levels of alcohol due to food ingestion cause the body to eliminate the alcohol that is absorbed at a faster rate.The type of food ingested (carbohydrate, fat, protein) has not been shown to have a measurable influence on this affect but the larger the meal and closer in time between eating and intoxication, the greater the diminution of peak alcohol concentration. Studies have shown reductions in peak alcohol concentration (as opposed to those of a fasting individual under otherwise similar circumstances) of 9% to 23%. Medication If you are fetching any medication, it could increase the effects of alcohol.You should always consult your physician or the medical education that accompanies the medication when imbibing alcohol in conjunction with any medication. break Fatigue causes many of the same symptoms that are caused by alcohol intoxication. These and other symptoms will be amplified if alcohol intoxication is concurrent with fatigue. tolerance Tolerance is the diminution of the effectiveness of a drug after a power point of prolonged or heavy use of that drug or a related drug (cross-toler ance).There are at to the lowest degree two types of tolerance at work with alcohol. The first is metabolic tolerance in which the alcohol is metabolized at a higher rate (up to two generation as quickly) in chronic users. Because of the higher metabolic rate for alcohol lower peak blood alcohol concentrations are achieved by chronic alcohol users than the average drinker when the same amount of alcohol is ingested. The spot is getal tolerance in which there is an actual change in the organ or systems sensitivity to the drug.Studies have shown that chronic alcohol users can have twice the tolerance for alcohol as an average person. It is important to note however that even in light of these tolerance factors, it has been shown conclusively that even in heavy alcohol users functional impairment is clearly measurable at the blood alcohol concentration levels that are currently used for traffic law enforcement and safety handsome contemplate bring aboutance. Gender Differences As outlined above in the voice on Body Weight and Body Type different body types coincide with different body water percentages.In general, but by no means in all cases, women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and thus a lower percentage of body water. Therefore, in general, if a man and a fair sex of the same weight ingest the same amount of alcohol the charwoman will tend to achieve a higher alcohol concentration. This, of course, would not be true if the woman was very fit and the man was somewhat obese, but on average, this is the case. Furthermore, total body water tends to decrease with age, so an older person will likewise be more affected by the same amount of alcohol.According to the table below the differences in alcohol concentration due to average body composition differences ground on gender would be between 16% and 10% depending on age. ________________________________________ Average Total Body Water as a function of Sex and Age AgeMaleFemale 18 to 406 1%52% over 6051%46% ________________________________________ some other gender based difference is in the elimination of alcohol. Although not explained, studies turn out to show that women eliminate alcohol from their bodies at a rate 10% greater than that of men.Alcoholism and alcohol debauch Alcoholism (alcohol dependance) and alcohol step are two different forms of problem deglutition. Alcoholism is when you have signs of natural addiction to alcohol and continues to drink, despite problems with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. Alcohol may control your life and relationships. Alcohol misdirect is when your intoxication leads to problems, but not physical addiction. Causes, relative incidence, and risk factors There is no cognize cause of alcohol call out or boozing.Research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk of alcoholism, but which genes and how they work are not known. How much you drink can influence your chances of becoming low-level. Those at risk for ontogenesis alcoholism include Men who have 15 or more drinks a week Women who have 12 or more drinks a week Anyone who has five or more drinks per occasion at least once a week One drink is defined as a 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor. You have an increase risk for alcohol execration and dependence if you have a parent with alcoholism.You may also be more likely to annoyance alcohol or become dependent if you Are a young adult under peer wedge Have depression, bipolar roughness, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia Have sluttish access to alcohol Have low self-esteem Have problems with relationships conk out a stressful lifestyle Live in a socialization alcohol use is more common and accepted Alcohol abuse is rising. Around 1 out of 6 people in the existence have a boozing problem. Symptoms People who have alcoholism or alcohol abuse often Continue to drink, even when health, work, or family are being harmed Drink alone.Become furious when tipsiness Become opposing when asked somewhat drinking Are not able to control drinking being unable to forbear or reduce alcohol economic consumption Make excuses to drink Miss work or school, or have a decrease in performance because of drinking Stop taking part in activities because of alcohol Need to use alcohol on most days to get through the day Neglect to eat or eat despicablely Do not care about or ignore how they dress or whether they are clean soften to hide alcohol use Shake in the morning or after periods when they have not a drinkSymptoms of alcohol dependence include Memory lapses after heavy drinking Needing more and more alcohol to feel drunk Alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you havent had a drink for a while Alcohol-related illnesses such as alcoholic liver disease Signs and tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical and family history, in cluding use of alcohol. The following questions are used by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to screen for alcohol abuse or dependence Do you ever drive when you have been drinking?Do you have to drink more than before to get drunk or feel the desired effect? Have you felt that you should cut down on your drinking? Have you ever had any blackouts after drinking? Have you ever missed work or lost a job because of drinking? Is someone in your family worried about your drinking? Tests that may be done include Blood alcohol level (this can tell whether someone has recently been drinking alcohol, but it does not necessarily confirm alcoholism) Complete blood count (CBC) Liver function tests.Magnesium blood test Medical Illness Associated With Chronic Alcohol Abuse DisorderIllness MetabolicAlcoholic ketoacidosis, alcoholic hypoglycemia, water and salt disorders NeurologicChronic problems with thinking such as Wernickes encephalopathy and Korsakoffs psychosis, alcohol ic cerebellar degeneration, and central pontine myelinolysis leash to problems walking and other motor activities, acute and chronic dementia, alcoholic peripheral neuropathy MuscularAcute and chronic alcoholic muscle weakness.GastrointestinalFatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, alcoholic pancreatitis, poor pancreatic function, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal carcinoma, erosive gastritis, chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, esophageal varices confidential information to bleeding into the GI tract Metabolic-endocrineHigh cholesterol, high levels of uric acid, low testosterone levels, impotence, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, irregular menstrual periods, reversible Cushings syndrome BloodAnemia due to poor performance of blood cellular phones or slow intestinal bleeding, poor white cell production, destruction of platelets, blood too thin to clot properly.CardiacDecreased cardiac function, arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure PulmonaryIncr eased incidence of pneumonia, increased incidence of tuberculosis OtherIncreased incidence of severe intestinal infections, fetal alcohol syndrome, vitamin deficiency syndromes, trauma, sexual dysfunction, insomnia accessible Problems Associated With Alcohol Abuse Accidental death and injury50% of fatal car crashes 25-fold increased risk of falls or drowning 50% of fire-related burns or deaths 20% to 30% of trauma bring inn in emergency rooms.CrimeFrequently involved in violent crime SuicideInvolved in up to 35% of suicides Economic cost$148 one thousand million annually (estimated) 15% for health care and handling OtherAssociated with increased rates of spouse or child abuse and increased spread of sexually transmitted diseases word Completely stopping the use of alcohol is the beau ideal goal of treatment. This is called continence. A strong social network and family have are important in achieving this. Completely stopping and overturning alcohol is difficult for many peo ple with alcoholism.There will be times when it is difficult. You should aim to avoid drinking for as long as contingent. Some people who abuse alcohol may be able to simply reduce the amount they drink. This is called drinking in moderation. If this method does not work, you should try to quit drinking completely. DECIDING TO QUIT Many people with alcohol problems do not recognize when their drinking gets out of hand. The ideal approach to treatment is to assist the person realize how much their alcohol use is harming their life and those around them.Studies find that more people with alcohol problems opt for treatment when their family members or employers are honest with them about their concerns, and try to wait on them see that drinking is preventing them from reaching their goals. Withdrawal from alcohol is best done in a controlled, supervised setting. Complications from withdrawal can be life threatening. For more information, see Alcohol withdrawal Your health care provi der should order blood and urine tests to check for health problems that are common in people who abuse alcohol. LONG-TERM SUPPORTAlcohol convalescence or accompaniment broadcasts can help you stop drinking completely. These programs usually offer focusing and therapy to discuss alcoholism and its effects and how to control your thoughts and behaviors Mental health support Medical care You may be treated in a special recovery center (inpatient), or you may attend a program while you live at home (outpatient). Medications are sometimes prescribed to prevent you from drinking again. Acamprosate is a drug that has been shown to lower turnaround rates in those who are alcohol dependent.Disulfiram (Antabuse) produces very beastly side effects if you drink even a small amount of alcohol within 2 weeks after taking the drug. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) decreases alcohol cravings. It is visible(prenominal) in an injectable form. You cannot take these medications if you are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. The medications are often used with long-term treatment with counseling or support groups. Depression or other sense of humor or anxiety disorders may be noticed after you stop drinking. These should be promptly treated. It is important that the patient has a living seat that supports their need to avoid alcohol.Some programs offer housing options for people with alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Support Groups Support groups are available to help people who are dealing with alcoholism. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a self-help group of retrieve alcoholics that offers emotional support and specific steps for people recovering from alcohol dependence. The program is commonly called a 12-step approach. There are local anesthetic chapters throughout the United States. AA offers help 24 hours a day and teaches that it is possible to participate in social functions without drinking.AL-ANON Family members of a person with an alcohol abus e problem often need counseling. Al-Anon is a support group for partners and others who are affected by someone elses alcoholism. Alateen provides support for teenage children of people with alcoholism. OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS Several other support groups are available. injure recovery teaches you have to change your thoughts and behaviors to help people with alcoholism recover. LifeRing recovery and SOS are two nonreligious programs that offer support for people with alcohol abuse.Women for self-denial is a self-help group just for women. Moderation Management is a program for those who want to reduce how much they drink. It recommends abstinence for people who cannot do this. Expectations (prognosis) How well a person with alcoholism or alcohol abuse does depends on whether or not they can stop drinking. Alcoholism is a major social, economic, and public health problem. Problem drinking can affect either part of a persons life. If you have an alcohol problem, abstinence can help i mprove your mental and physical health and possibly, your relationships.Treatment programs can help you quit. However, drinking again after treatment is common. It is important to have a good support system. Complications Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can increase your risk of many health problems, including Bleeding in the digestive tract Brain cell damage Brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Cancer of the esophagus, liver, colon, and other areas Changes in the menstrual cycle (period) Delirium tremens (DTs) alienation and memory loss Depression and suicide Erectile dysfunction tinder damage High blood pressure.Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) Liver disease, including cirrhosis inwardness damage Poor nutrition Sleeping problems (insomnia) Alcohol use also increases your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and violence. Drinking alcohol while you are pregnant can lead to severe birth defects in the baby. legal profession The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends Women should not drink more than 1 drink per day Men should not drink more than 2 drinks per day One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1? ounces of liquor.