Alcohol
by amari parker
How is it used
An alcoholic beverage is a drink that typically contains 3% – 40% alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries around the world. More than 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption.
Is it legal or illegal
Alcohol consumption is generally legal but also restricted by age and/or location. but some alcohol is not legal in some other country's such as parts of Alaska
short term and long term effects
Short-Term Effects The short-term effects of drinking alcohol can cause numerous adverse effects on the user, including:
- Slowed reaction times and reflexes
- Poor motor coordination
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Lowered inhibitions and increase in risk behavior
- Lowered reasoning ability, impaired judgment
- Memory loss
- Confusion, anxiety, restlessness
- Slowed heart rate, reduced blood pressure
- Slowed breathing rate
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration - a leading cause of condom breakage
- Coma
- Death from respiratory arrest
- Liver Damage
- Accumulation of fat in the liver
- Cirrhosis - heavy scarring of the liver prevents blood flow; usually fatal
- Alcoholic hepatitis - swelling of liver cells, causing blockage; sometimes fatal
- Liver cancer
- Heart Damage
- High blood pressure
- Coronary disease - narrowing of the arteries, leading to heart attack or death
- Enlarged heart
- Irregular heartbeat, which can lead to heart attack or death
- Decreased blood flow to the arms and legs
- Stroke - blocked blood flow to the brain
- Brain Damage
- Lowered cognitive abilities
- Destruction of brain cells, producing brain deterioration and atrophy
- Mental disorders - increased aggression, antisocial behavior, depression, anxiety
- Damage to sense of balance, causing more accidental injuries
- Bone Damage
- Bone growth that normally takes place in teenage years is stunted
- Osteoporosis - severe back pain, spine deformity, increased risk of fractures
- Pancreas Damage
- Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas, causing abdominal pain, weight loss, and sometimes death
- Cancer
- Alcoholism increases a person's chances of developing a variety of cancers of the pancreas, liver, breasts, colon, rectum, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus.
- Sexual Problems
- Reduced sperm count and mobility, as well as sperm abnormality
- Menstrual difficulties, irregular/absent cycles, and decreased fertility
- Early menopause
- Birth Defects
- Drinking any alcohol during pregnancy can cause permanent, severe damage, by putting the child at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.