No empirical evidence is required to establish the rampant use of alcohol. The increase in the number of state sponsored vends is proof enough  of the spread of alcohol culture. What was until yesterday a hush hush activity has come out  in the open. Drinking has become such an obsession with all kinds and classes of people that those who do not drink are dubbed as odd personalities. Increase in the incidence of crimes including  rape and robbery is directly related to the increase in the use of  this substance. It is time that people are made aware of the  most deleterious and  disastrous effects of its use. Following is an attempt to create awareness about the dangers  inherent in the use of alcohol.

As per a research conducted by Dr. Max Schneider, M.D, alcohol acts like fire as it passes through various parts of the body. It goes on burning and damaging the same as per the details given below.

MOUTH AND OESOPHAGUS: Alcohol is an irritant to the delicate linings of throat and food pipe. It burns as it goes down.

STOMACH AND INTESTINE:

Alcohol has an irritating effect on the stomach’s protective lining, resulting in gastric or duodenal ulcers. This condition, if it becomes acute, can cause perforation of the stomach wall. In the small intestine, alcohol blocks absorption of substances such as thiamine, folic acid, xylose, fat, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and amino acids.

BLOODSTREAM: Ninety five percent of the alcohol consumed is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Once in the bloodstream, alcohol quickly goes to every cell and tissue in the body.

Alcohol causes the red blood cells to clump together in sticky walls, slowing circulation and depriving the tissues of oxygen. It also leads to anaemia by reducing the production of red cells. Alcohol slows the ability of white cells to engulf and destroy bacteria and degenerates the clotting ability of blood platelets.

PANCREAS: Alcohol irritates the cells of the pancreas, causing them to swell, thus blocking the flow of digestive enzymes. The chemicals, unable to enter the pancreas, lead to acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. One out of five patients who develop this disease die during the first attack. Pancreatitis can destroy the pancreas and create a lack of insulin thus resulting in diabetes.

LIVER: Alcohol inflames the cells of the liver causing them to swell and blocking the tiny canal to the small intestines. This prevents the bile from being filtered properly through the liver, jaundice develops turning the whites of the eye and skin, yellow. Each drink of alcohol increases the number of liver cells destroyed, eventually causing cirrhosis of the liver. This disease is eight times more frequent among alcoholics than among non-alcoholics.

HEART: Alcohol causes inflammation of the heart muscles. It has a toxic effect on the heart muscle. It causes increased amounts of fat to collect, thus disrupting its normal metabolism.

URINARY BLADDER AND KIDNEYS: Alcohol inflames the lining of the urinary bladder, making it unable to stretch properly. In the kidneys, alcohol causes an increased loss of fluids through irritating effect.

SEXUAL FUNCTIONING: Swelling of the prostate gland caused by alcohol interferes with the ability of the male to perform sexually.

BRAIN: The most dramatic and noticeable effect of alcohol is on the brain. It depresses the brain centers, producing progressive non-coordination, confusion, disorientation, stupor, coma and death. Alcohol kills brain cells and any brain damage is permanent. The brain cannot grow new cells. Drinking, over a period-of time, causes loss of memory, judgement and learning ability. There are two separate effects of alcohol on human beings i) the pharmacological and psychological which influences behavior and ii) the biochemical and nutritional, which influences the body.

Small doses of alcohol produce euphoria, a lifted up feeling, in a person by removing some of his inhibitions. The individual appears to see the world through rose coloured glasses. Most people experience greater exhilaration and feeling of self-confidence. Alcohol generally causes a reduction in anxiety, tension, irritability and mental strain.

Because of these effects, it is considered a stimulant by some, but strictly speaking it causes a lack of inhibition. Actually, the physical and mental performances of normal individuals are slightly impaired by its use. In Shakespeare's words, it provokes the desire but it takes away the performance.

With continued alcohol abuse, one may develop alcoholic heart disease where the heart is enlarged, functions poorly and fails. They may also have life threatening cardiac rhythm abnormalities. Anaemia and a low blood platelet count are common amongst alcohol abusers. Anaemia is multifactoral, beginning with nutritional deprivation, mal-absorption and ending up with acute blood loss from bleeds due to liver cirrhosis.  Hormone disorders with alcohol abuse are many. They include diabetes, being prone to low blood sugar and impotency.

Dr. Emil Bogen of California has matched the following different behaviours with increasing concentration of alcohol in the blood.

To illustrate the effect of alcohol on the brain, if we consider that behaviour, such as judgement and inhibitions, begin to be affected after one drink which leads to a concentration of blood alcohol, say 0.02 per cent, then for:

ALCOHOLICS RUIN THEIR FAMILY LIFE: How wives cope with their alcoholic husbands has been the subject of intense psychoanalytical studies. They revealed discord, avoidance, indulgence and marital breakdown.

The following symptoms indicate abuse of alcohol:

·         Temporary black outs or memory loss

·         Headache, anxiety, insomnia etc.

·         Recurrent arguments or fights with family members or friends.

ALCOHOLICS DO NOT COMMAND RESPECT IN SOCIETY: Besides these harmful effects of alcohol, there is another important aspect of alcoholism. People do not trust an alcoholic and he does not command respect in the society. The family and social life becomes miserable.

ALCOHOLISM RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: Excessive consumption of alcohol has major health hazards, which add to many of society's problems, contributing to about one-third of road accidents as well as to anti-social behavior, crime, divorce and loss of productivity due to ill health.

ALCOHOLISM RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY: Alcohol plays a great role in many social and domestic problems, job absenteeism and crime against spouse, child abuse etc. The  more you drink and more often you drink, the greater the risk that your internal organs will be damaged by alcohol.