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The beginning of a habit is like a invisible thread, 
but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, 
and add to it another filament until it becomes a great cable 
and binds us irrevocably, through thought and act.
			ORISON SWEET MARDEN

What is Alcohol?
Names: Ehtyl (bevarage) alcohol, ethanol, booze, pombe
Type: Central nervous system depressant
Forms: Clear, absolute, liquid, diluted and/or blended as wine, beer, liquour (distilled spirits) or liqueur
Usage: Swallowed in drinks which may be blended or mixed with other spirits or non-alcoholic substances.

Alcohol intitially makes one feel relaxed and/or sociable. But if you continue drinking these feelings are soon replaced by feelings of depression, anger, hostility, loss of control and eventually drowsiness. Note should be taken however that effects vary with individuals.

Alcohol Affects your mind in several ways, ranging from lowering the ability of the brain to perform motor skills such as driving; impairs judgement and memory while causing confusion.

Affects your body by reducing your ability to move or speak effectively while at the same time impairing reflexes. How can this be slowed when the process has begun? Milk for example can reduce absorbtion of alcohol. Food or drink however does not change ongoing effects. Effects vay according to the size of the person, related to the amount of food in the stomach, tolerance and other factors like ones sex. Take note that there is no cure for the next days "hangover." withdrawal.

You can tell if someone has been using alcohol if they are drunk (intoxicated.) There is also smell of alcohol on the breath or clothes of the individual. This can be accompanied by slurred speech, red or glassy eyes, poor balance, the skin feels cold and clammy to touch while ones behaviour becomes socially unacceptable, with loud or more talkative speech.

How can alcohol hurt you? By causing memory loss, hypothermia, decreased sex drive, impotence, menstrual problems, brain liver, kidney, stomach and intestinal damage. Then there is lack of ability to feel pain, coma, susceptability to alcohol-related diseases, anxiety, insomnia, socially unacceptable behavior. But the list does not stop there. Not by a long shot. There is still brain damage, affected walk, depletion of nutrients and vitamins, exaggerated emotions, mood swings, depression. At the same time alcohol consumption contributes to aggressive behaviour and violence, blackouts, coma, death from inability to breathe, heart failure, severe withdrwal effects, interaction with other drugs, driving while under the influence, suicide. Aspiration of vomit, which can lead to asphyxiation or pnuemonia, is not unusual. Unborn children of drinking maothers may be affectd by Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, which includes mental retardation, deformities and heart defects.

Alcohol addiction and withdrwal dependence can be both emotional and physical. Withdrwal symptoms include tremors, heavy sweating, weakness, agitation, headaches, nausea nd vomiting, abdominal cramps, rapid, heartbeat, hallucinations, seizures and delirium tremens.

Chronic alcohol use can lead to damage of the pancreas. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas cells swell and the digestive acids are unable to be released. This causes the pancreas to begin digesting itself. If the pancreas is injured, it is unable to produce insulin. This can lead to diabetes.

Alcohol causes damage to the liver, inhibiting its ability to filter toxins out of the body. Cirrhosis, the hardening or scarring of liver tissue, occurs whith chronic alcohol use. When the liver does not function properly, a person may become jaundiced. When the liver cells swell, they are unable to release bile. This build up of bile contributes to eyes and skin becoming yellow. Alcohol hepatitis is another disease that occurs with chronic alcohol use.

Alcohol contributes to an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, hypertension, heart failure and heart disease. It interrupts the functioning of the kidneys. When this happens, toxins may leak into the blood stream. Alcohol damages the reproductive system, contributing to impotence and infertility. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) may occur when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol. A baby born with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is often mentally retarded, with abnormal physical and facial features.

As a depressant, alcohol causes sedation of the brain and central nervous system. This leads to dizziness, slurred speech, mental confusion, loss of control, poor functioning of the senses, poor co-ordinatiom, impaired judgement, blackouts, and unconciousness - and may lead to death. Alcohol overdose occurs when the body cannot metabolise the alcohol before it is absorbed into the center of the brain, where involuntary functions are controlled. Once this area of the brain shuts down, death occurs.

Even at low moderate doses, alcohol impairs the ability to drive a car. It can also lead to a variety of aggressive acts, including assault, domestic violence, child abuse rape and vandalism. Another side effect of alcohol is a form of withdrwal known as hangover. Symptoms of a hangover include nausea vomiting, headache, thirst, dehydration, dizziness and tiredness. Prolonged, regular use of alcohol may lead to addiction. Once someone is addicted to alcohol he/she may experience withdrwal symptoms if the use of alcohol is stopped. Withdrawal symptoms may include, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions.

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