I have lived with persons who take alcohol for a very long time and I have been able to observe what the effects of alcohol are most especially the social ones. That is the reason why I want to share my knowledge and experience with you.

 

Some facts about alcohol

 

1. Alcohol is a toxin. Alcohol can be taken in light to moderate amounts for some possible health benefits. When taken in large amounts it becomes a risk to ones health. Light to moderate consumption means taking about 40g or less per day. 40g is equivalents to 5 units. A pint of beer is 2 units while a glass of wine is 1 unit. Women should not exceed 14 units per week and men should not exceed 21 units per week.

 

Despite these guidelines people still go ahead and drink too much. Every adult knows the consequences of alcohol intake but still have to be reminded now and then.

 

2. Alcohol is a depressant not a stimulant. Alcohol lowers your anxiety level making you feel less anxious, less worried and more relaxed than before you drank. This is the reason why people drink alcohol to help them forget their problems.

 

3. Alcohol does not have to be digested like other foods.

 

4. The effects of alcohol depend on an individual’s weight and other factors.

 

Did you know that alcohol has a rebound effect?

Yes it does. After a few hours the effect of alcohol will finish and anxiety level will come back, higher than it was before you drank. Then when you drink for the second time your anxiety level will go down again. After a few hours the anxiety level will rise again, higher than it was before the second time you drank. Alcohol increases anxiety instead of reducing it.

 

Why do most people drink?

According to a research main reasons for alcohol intake are as follows;

 

1.         To forget problems- Most people gave this reason. I feel this is not reason enough for one to take alcohol. After taking alcohol you can forget your problems but that is just for a short period of time. What will happen when the effect of the alcohol diminishes? The problems will still be there waiting for you to solve them. You can’t run away from your problems by taking alcohol, face them so that you become mature especially if you are a young person.

 

2.         Social acceptability- There are some places where in order for you to fit in or prove to be a man or woman you must take alcohol. Well why should such a reason lead you to take alcohol? Do things that will benefit you and your future not to please society or those around you. Always do what you know is right not just for the sake of doing it.

 

3.         Alcohol is available or is cheap- This makes it easier for one to buy and drink at their convenience.

 

4.         Most young people drink because of pear pressure

 

5.         Teens drink out of curiosity

 

6.         Teens drink because their parents drink alcohol

 

7.         To increase self esteem/self confidence in certain situations.

 

8.         Stress management

 

9.         Addiction- When one gets addicted to alcohol then that’s it, he or she can’t function without it. Therefore it becomes a must for them.

 

10.       Teens drink to feel like adults

 

11.       Religion

 

EFFECTS

I broken down the effects into long term and short term social, health and. They are as follows;

 

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

-         Aggressive or violent behavior related to the use of only a small amount o alcohol

-         Unsteady gait

-         Impotence

-         Impaired coordination and reflexes

-         Slurred speech

-         Intoxication

-         Impairment of judgment, concentration and attention

-         Apparent stimulant effect with small amounts due to release of social inhibitions

 

LONG TERM

1.

1. cancer
2. peptic ulceleration
3. Inflammation of the liver- hepatitis
4. Pancreatitis
5. Hardening of the liver- cirrhosis
6. Alcoholism
7. Decreased levels of male hormone
8. Shrinkage of testes
9. Swollen blood vessels at base of feeding tube
10. Increased pressure in portal vein of liver

2.

A.  depression

B.   suicide

C.  excessive jealousy and suspicion of mate by alcoholic person

D.  sub acute and chronic problems of brain function

E.   Seeing and hearing and feeling things that are not there.

 

SOCIAL EFFECTS

1. suicide
2. murder
3. rod traffic accidents
4. work related accidents
5. job loss
6. family break up
7. incest
8. spouse abuse
9. child abuse
10. accidents on boats, ships or planes
11. teenagers are at a grater risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases

 

UNDERAGE OR TEENAGE DRINKING                   

This is common in different countries all over the world most especially in my country. What should be done so that teenage or underage drinking can be stopped?

 

In such countries or places where underage drinking is common most of the people pretend and ignore the advice given.  The people who are selling alcohol to teenagers only have an interest in making money and do not care about the risks these young drinkers are exposed to.

 

The law should be strongly enforced/ carried out. By doing so cases of underage drinking will defiantly reduce.

 

Also raising the drinking age to 21 years of age like other countries have done is a good idea because 18 years of age complicates things. Nowadays young people grow so fast and their looks are deceiving. For example 16 year old can simply walk into a bottle store or bar and pretend to be older and be served without question because he or she looks like an 18 year old already. I hope you got the picture on my example

 

I think children or teenagers everywhere should all be taught repeatedly on the risks of taking alcohol at an early age. Such things should not be hidden or else they will put the blame on you.

 

MAIN EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL ON YOUNG PEOPLE/TEENS

 

1.   The body can be poisoned.

2.   The heart can stop due to irregular heart beat.

3.   The liver can be damaged.

4.   Exposed to seizures and coma.

1. Slower or shallow breath and eventually stop breathing.
2. Can lead to death due to choking by inhaling your own vomit.
3. Effects on the brain; alcohol does have an effect on long term thinking and memory skills.
4. Growth and endocrine; alcohol intake may affect hormone balance needed for normal development of muscles, bones and organs. Alcohol also affects the reproductive system.
5. Effects on the liver; elevated liver enzymes which indicates some degree of liver damage is common among young drinkers according to research.

 

My Conclusion

 

Parents that drink excessively usually fail to take care of their families. Why? Because they prefer to keep their money and use it on alcohol instead of buying food and clothes for the family, paying bills, paying school fees etc. This leads to family quarrels and separation leaving children to suffer and be depressed.

 

Young people who are still studying fail to succeed because of alcohol. Instead of concentrating on school work the think of alcohol and spend their time out drinking instead of studying. Thos leads to a rise of uneducated people, street kids and thieves. In the end others get exposed to HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and finally death.

 

You have to realize that after the alcohol effect wears out the problems are still there waiting for you to solve them. A person matures by facing their problems not by running away from them by using alcohol.

 

Young people should not drink alcohol because it has many consequences and it is a risk. Think twice guys. Do not make your life miserable. Enjoy your youth now, be alcohol free so that when you are older and you look back you will not have any regrets because you making decisions or mistakes influenced by alcohol.

 

Not everything that adults do is right. Just because your parents take alcohol that should not be reason enough for you to drink also.

 

Adults who drink alcohol should make sure it is not because they want to run away from your problems. Adults please drink wisely and responsibly. Remember that the young people in society look up to you as leaders and do exactly what you do. Do not drink excessively because it is risky to your health and social life. Alcohol has left many people deserted, confused and lonely. Do not drink and drive!!!

 

Thank you for reading. Take care and God bless.