Alcoholic beverages are enjoyed at various occasions. These include celebrations, parties, and dinner. In addition, researchers have concluded that two to three glasses of red wine a week have been proven to improve cholesterol levels and reduce blood clots. Hence, wine consumed in moderation is healthy for the heart. If alcohol can be a source of pleasure and beneficial for our health, why is it commonly referred to as a "poisonous substance?"

Alcohol in itself is not bad. However, the problem lies in the abuse of alcohol. People love to consume alcoholic beverages. Thus, millions of people worldwide fall into alcohol's enticing trap. These individuals are not necessarily alcoholics. Each year hundreds of thousands of people are injured or killed in alcohol-related automobile accidents. Sadly, many fatalities occur among those who were not drinking.

The death toll related to alcohol abuse is unimaginable. According to the National Council of Alcohol and Drug Dependency, 105,000 Americans are killed each year in alcohol-related crashes. This number is extremely high among young adults, even those under the legal drinking age. In addition, it is estimated that nearly 14 million of the American population are alcoholics. However, the effects of alcohol abuse are not limited to the United States. It is estimated that 1 in 3 European men between the ages of 15 and 30 will die due to alcohol abuse. Accidents will not be the cause of many of these deaths. Instead, alcohol-related illnesses and health problems will contribute to premature death.

Alcohol's Damaging Effect

It's no secret that overindulgence in alcohol may cause serious heath problems. Why people continue to harm their bodies with excessive drinking is unknown. Maybe it's because of peer pressure, a feeling of invincibility, or dependency issues. Regardless of the reason for excessive alcoholic use, individuals with a drinking problem must seriously consider the short-term and long-term risk.

Alcohol Poisoning: Alcoholic beverages contain a substance called ethanol. This substance can potentially cause damage to the central nervous system. Those who drink in moderation do not have to concern themselves with this problem. Ethanol does not affect the body until a person reaches their tolerance level. When this occurs, a person's brain function slows and they may begin to giggle uncontrollably or feel sleepy. This is the time to stop drinking. Those who continue to drink will likely experience slurred speech, blurred vision, and poor coordination. The body has the ability to safely dissolve ethanol. However, during extreme drinking binges, the body cannot work fast enough, which may result in alcohol poisoning, coma, or death. Prolong alcohol abuse is responsible for brain cell loss, poor memory, depression, and violent behavior.

Liver Diseases: Alcohol abuse is responsible for the majority of liver problems. The primary function of the liver is to remove toxins from the body. Those who consume too many alcoholic beverages are causing potentially irreversible damage to this vital organ. Ethanol, the substance found in alcohol must pass through the liver with other toxins. However, removing excessive amounts of ethanol from the body is a slow process. Thus, those who abuse alcohol will experience a buildup of fat deposits in their liver. If not treated, fat deposits will cause inflammation of the liver. When this occurs, liver cells die. Liver damage is often detected on routine blood tests. As liver cell death occurs, the cells release enzymes into the blood stream. The liver has a natural ability to repair itself. Thus, those who curtail their drinking habits will not sustain any permanent liver damage. On the other hand, individuals who ignore warning signs and continue to abuse alcohol will eventually develop cirrhosis, scarring of the liver. This serious condition cannot be treated. Cirrhosis prevents the liver from functioning properly and ultimately leads to liver failure. During this final stage, the liver is unable to adequately fight against certain illness. Thus, the risk of liver cancer is greatly intensified.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Sadly, some mothers do not heed their physicians warning to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. When an expecting mother consumes alcohol, her baby also drinks. During the developmental stages, the effects of alcohol are life-altering. Irreversible damage to the central nervous system occurs, brain cells do not develop properly, and so forth. The results are catastrophic. Fetal alcohol syndrome is responsible for facial deformities, mental retardation, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, and development problems. The degree of fetal alcohol syndrome varies. Mothers that drank prior to learning of their pregnancy may have healthy babies, or babies with minor learning problems. On the other hand, mothers who drank alcohol throughout their entire pregnancy may cause permanent damage to their fetus. To be on the safe side, women who are planning on becoming pregnant should avoid all alcoholic beverages.

Breaking the Cycle

Sometimes, its takes drastic events to awaken some people to the dangers of alcohol abuse. This might include alcohol induced altercations, car accident, or diagnosis of a particular illness. Before steps can be taken to correct the pattern of alcohol abuse, one must recognize that a problem exists. Those in denial will continually make excuses for their behavior. Personal examination of the following questions will help us to determine whether we have a problem with alcohol. Do you become intoxicated at every drinking occasion? Does your drinking interfere with work or family? Do you drink in situations that require your full attention, such as while driving or operating machinery? Do you find it difficult to resist the urge to drink?

You do not have to be an alcoholic to abuse alcohol, thus some people are able to break the cycle without the help of a professional. However, it is beneficial to communicate your problem with a trusted friend. This person can be a support and encourager. Those who have developed a dependency for alcohol (alcoholics) many enter a detoxification program. During this time, alcoholics may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. These tend to lessen within a few days. However, those who suffer extreme symptoms such as convulsions, seizures, spiking fever, and so forth, may require hospitalization.