Alcoholism :: essays research papers

Alcohol is the intoxicating dissipate of beer, wine and liquors-the part that causes drunkenness. It is formed during fer handstation, the process that creates the alcohlolicbeverage. When sugars from the fruits or grains are unite with yeast and water, alcohol results. Alcohol is a drug and, like all(prenominal) drugs, it has an effect on a persons ashes and mind. Because drink alcoholic beverages makes some people feel much alive and more outgoing, alcohol is some beats seen as a stimulant. But in position it is a depressant, and slows down the central nervous system, of which the brain is a part. microscopical amounts of alcohol tramp affect a persons coordination and judgment. crapulence a large amount of alcohol at one time can even cause death. Alcohol is estimated to be contributing cistron in 20-30% of all accidents. In fatal car accidents involving young men after 10pm it is a contributory factor in 60% of these cases. just astir(predicate) 30% of all drowning a re estimated to be alcohol related. This proportion whitethorn rise to 50% between the ages 20-30. Alcohol is also a poisonous. It essential be broken down and removed from the body. However, it leaves behind toxins, or poisons, that can cause health problems and contribute to serious diseases. Beer contains the least amount of alcohol, about 3-6%. Wine is 8-14 per centum alcohol. Distilled spirits have a much high alcoholic content. The alcoholic content of gin, scotch, vodka, whiskey, rum, and bourbon is about 40%. When alcohol enters the body this is what happens. Within 20 minutes of entering the stomach, as much as 20% of the alcohol in a drink is absorbed into the bloodstream. The repose remains in the stomach where it stimulates the secretion of gastric juices. Large amounts of alcohol entering an empty stomach can irritate the gastric ocean liner and cause the stomach to become inflamed. From the stomach, the alcohol passes into the small intestine. Here the continue o f it is absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, about 5 percent of alcohol leave the body unchanged through urine, sweat, or exhaled breath. nigh the alcohol travels via the bloodstream to the heart. Small amounts of alcohol produce a nice increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Larger amounts contract pumping power of the heart and can cause an irregular heartbeat. The heart and so pumps the alcohol through the blood vessels to other parts of the body, including the brain.