HEALTH
Faze Online
Alcohol
Active
Agent
Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is the active ingredient in the alcoholic
beverages that we drink. It's biologically active metabolites
include acetal aldehyde which has been linked to "hangover"
symptoms.
Effects:
Euphoria, loosening of inhibitions, altered sensorium (feeling
giddy), diminished response time (bad for driving), are initial
phenomena. At higher doses nausea, vomiting, and respiratory
depression may occur. Vomiting associated with aspiration (breathing
vomit) as well as respiratory inhibition have been associated
with fatal results of alcohol use. Chronic use of alcohol can
lead to addiction, which is also associated with cirrhosis of
the liver, pancreatitis, encephalopathy (brain damage), ulcers,
and increased incidence of several cancers. Delirium tremens
(D.T.'s) is a physical response to alcohol restriction in an
addict which is characterized by psychosis, sweating, tremors,
and rarely sudden death.
Addiction Potential
Physical - Moderate. Psychological - Moderate.
Pros
It's legal and socially acceptable in most countries when used
in moderation. States have varying age restriction on sales
of alcoholic beverages.
Cons
When used in excess can seriously impair driving ability with
too often fatal results. It has been estimated that over half
of driving fatalities are attributable to alcohol. Its' psychological
effects may have a contributing role in many unwanted pregnancies.
Extreme use usually precludes satisfactory functioning in school
or at work.
DID YOU KNOW
Over
40% of all the 16-to-20 year olds who died in 1994 were killed
in car crashes. And about half of those were alcohol-related.
That's around 2,222 of your classmates, soccer rivals, prom
queens, and friends who died because somebody chose to drink
and drive.
The number of intoxicated youth drivers in fatal crashes dropped
14.3% from 1983 to 1994. That's the largest decrease of ANY
age group during this time period. And they say you're not listening!
Studies
have shown that alcoholism and drug dependency tends to run
in families, but researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital
in Boston examined whether increased risk is a result of inherited
factors or exposure to addictive behavior. The studies report
that children of addicted parents are more likely to mimic their
parents' behaviors. Environmental exposure to substance abuse
shapes the directions of addiction in children, especially those
that are genetically vulnerable.
STATISTICS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released
the statistics for 1999:
STATISTICS FOR 1999
Total traffic fatalities: 41,611
Total alcohol-related traffic fatalities: 15,786
Percentage of total traffic crashes that are alcohol-related:
38%
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released
the statistics for 1998:
STATISTICS FOR 1998
Total traffic fatalities: 41,501
Total alcohol-related traffic fatalities: 16,020
Percentage of total traffic crashes that are alcohol-related:
39%
Content
provided with permission by MADD-
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Additional
Information
Focus Health
- Treatment and Information Center
Alcoholics Anonymous
B4Udrink.org
