There are a variety of diagnostic tests that are put to use in the medical community to test for how much alcohol an individual has consumed and how exactly the consumption of alcohol has affected the person’s bodily organs. Alcohol can have a devastating effect on many different organs of the body including the liver, the kidneys and the brain. Some of the most commonly done medical diagnostic tests are liver function tests, full blood count and blood alcohol content.
Alcohol has no food value and is exceedingly limited in its action as a remedial agent. Dr. Henry Monroe says, “every kind of substance employed by man as food consists of sugar, starch, oil and glutinous matter mingled together in various proportions. These are designed for the support of the animal frame. The glutinous principles of food fibrine, albumen and casein are employed to build up the structure while the oil, starch and sugar are chiefly used to generate heat in the body”.
As much as parents may not like to think about it, the truth is that many kids and teens try alcohol during their high school and college years, long before it is legal for them to drink it. Some research has shown that nearly 80% of high school kids have tried alcohol. Although experimentation with alcohol may be common among kids, it is not safe or legal. To help prevent alcohol abuse in children, it is a good idea to begin discussing alcohol use and abuse with kids at an early age and to continue openly communicating about it as they grow up.
And here, in order to give those who are not familiar with, the process of digestion, a clear idea of that important operation, and the effect produced when alcohol is taken with food, we quote from the lecture of an English physician, Dr. Henry Monroe, on “The Physiological Action of Alcohol.” He says:
“Every kind of substance employed by man as food consists of sugar, starch, oil and glutinous matters, mingled together in various proportions; these are designed for the support of the animal frame. The glutinous principles of food fibrine, albumen and casein are employed to build up the structure; while the oil, starch and sugar are chiefly used to generate heat in the body.
Alcoholism refers to a chronic disease that is often progressive and can cause fatal damage to an individual’s health when left untreated. Regular heavy intake of alcohol causes chemical imbalances in the brain or leads to depletion of certain chemicals, which makes the body crave alcohol to feel good. This compels an individual to remain addicted for the sake of warding away negative feelings.
When you live with an alcoholic that has abusive behavior, you need help before things get out of control. The one thing that you cannot do is allow the abusive behavior to continue or it could get worst. Bad things can happen when the abuse continues. If you need help, you can talk to others or protect yourself and the kids by calling the police. The police can remove the person from the home until they sober up. They can give you a seventy-two hour restraining order. Sometimes, this is enough to put a scare into the alcoholic.
The transforming power or alcohol is marvelous, and often appalling. It seems to open a way of entrance into the soul for all classes of foolish, insane or malignant spirits, who, so long as it remains in contact with the brain, are able to hold possession. Men of the kindest nature when sober, act often like fiends when drunk. Crimes and outrages are committed, which shock and shame the perpetrators when the excitement of inebriation has passed away. Referring to this subject, Dr. Henry Munroe says:
Dr. Richardson, speaking of the action of alcohol on the mind, gives the following sad picture of its ravages:
“An analysis of the condition of the mind induced and maintained by the free daily use of alcohol as a drink, reveals a singular order of facts. The manifestation fails altogether to reveal the exaltation of any reasoning power in a useful or satisfactory direction. I have never met with an instance in which such a claim for alcohol has been made. On the contrary, confirmed alcoholics constantly say that for this or that work, requiring thought and attention, it is necessary to forego some of the usual potations in order to have a cool head for hard work.
In 2005, 16,885 people died in alcohol related vehicle crashes. This accounts for 39% of all traffic related deaths in the United States. Everyday more and more drivers are stopped and arrested for driving under the influence. Although authorities are working to crack down on drunk driving, there are simply too many drunk drivers to stop all of them. For many of the drivers that are stopped it is not the first time to be driving under the influence or even getting caught doing it. Since 1980 Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD), have lobbied to get first offense penalties for drunk drivers to be more severe. Unfortunately, these penalties do not stop people from making that choice to get behind the wheel of a car after they have been drinking alcoholic beverages.
There are several affects of alcoholism on the brain. Some are short term and others can end up being permanent. While alcohol definitely has effects on the brain there will be many differences with each individual person. What are some of the effect on the brain?
Some effects that occur as a result of only a couple drinks are:
* slurred speech
* impaired memory
* difficulty with balance
* blurring vision
* delayed or slowed reaction time
These effects can also disappear quickly after the drinking has subsided.
