Videos About Alcoholism

What are the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol on the body?

How does alcohol affect behavior, cognition, and perception?

What is the recommended safe limit for alcohol consumption?

How does alcohol interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications?

What are the risks and dangers of excessive alcohol consumption?

How does alcohol affect the brain and contribute to addiction?

What are the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and how is it treated?

What are the treatments for alcohol use disorder, and what is the success rate of these treatments?

How does alcohol contribute to social and health problems, such as domestic violence and liver disease?
Alcohol: A staple in social gatherings and a source of relaxation for many, but at what cost to our health and well-being?
First, let’s answer one of the most important questions about alcohol: Does a safe dose of alcohol exist?
The World Health Organization and other authorities recommend that women reduce alcohol consumption to no more than 1 standard drink per day, and for men, no more than 2 standard drinks per day.
In the United States, one standard drink is typically considered to be:
• 12 fluid ounces (or 355 mL) of beer with 5% alcohol content.
• 5 fluid ounces (148 mL) of wine with 12% alcohol content.
• Or 1.5 fluid ounces (44 mL) of distilled spirits with 40% alcohol content (e.g. whiskey, gin, rum).
However, studies indicate that even this “harmless” dosage increases brain degeneration and the risk of cancer. So, alcohol is toxic for the body at any dosage.
Let’s review why this happens and how alcohol works. After ingestion, the first step is absorption. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine, with around 80% of alcohol being absorbed. The rate of absorption depends on factors such as food in the stomach, the presence of non-alcoholic drinks, and the overall health of the person. Alcohol reaches its peak concentration in 1 hour.
After absorption, it is metabolized by the liver. Alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde, which is then further metabolized into acetic acid and other substances. Ethanol, alcohol’s main component, acts directly on the brain, but its metabolite, acetaldehyde, also damages DNA and increases the risk of cancer and other diseases.
Alcohol is not fat-soluble, so it cannot directly reach the brain, but it still reaches the brain through passive diffusion. Alcohol increases the release of dopamine and inhibits the activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter responsible for brain excitement. This results in a depressed central nervous system and feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and impaired judgment and coordination.
Alcohol also enhances the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which slows down brain activity and causes sedation, relaxation, and impaired judgment. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter responsible for excitability and arousal, and alcohol inhibits this neurotransmitter, contributing to its sedative effects.
The amount of alcohol, body weight, and sex also matter. Women generally get drunk easier than men due to their lower body weight, fewer muscles, and higher fat composition. By increasing GABA and inhibiting glutamate, alcohol disrupts the balance between these two neurotransmitters, leading to a slowing down of brain activity and impaired thinking, memory, and motor coordination.
However, dopamine is a stimulant, so alcohol initially acts as a stimulant. But as more alcohol is consumed, it begins to act as a sedative, depressing the central nervous system and leading to slurred speech, unsteadiness, and drowsiness, ultimately leading to unconsciousness.
Alcohol short-term effects:
• Impairment of cognitive and motor skills, leading to increased risk of accidents and injury.
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance due to alcohol acting as a diuretic and increasing urine production and fluid loss from the body.
• Decreased production of vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone that regulates fluid balance in the body.
• Flushing, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite due to alcohol irritating the stomach lining and increasing acid production.
• Impairment of judgment and reduced inhibitions, leading to unpredictable and sometimes erratic behavior.
• Changes in mood, including increased relaxation and

Now lets talk about long term effects of alcohol and alcoholism.
It causes Chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver failure.
Increased risk of various types of cancer, such as liver, breast, and pancreatic cancer.
Brain damage, including decreased brain function, memory problems, and difficulty thinking.
Cardiovascular disease increases risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
It causes Gastrointestinal problems, including inflammation of the pancreas and ulcers.

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