The Effects of Alcohol on the Body Essay - 1555 Words

The Effects of Alcohol on the Body You are in college, you are at a party, and you are drunk. You, and the people around you, know you are drunk by your disorientated behavior but do they know what is causing you to act in this manner? Most likely not. Most people do not think about what the alcohol inside them is doing, the only thing they are worried about is the buzz that they get from it. Moderate drinking is alright but drinking excessively can wear out the body. Three important things to know about alcohol are how it enters and leaves the body, the effects of alcohol, and how the body responds to alcohol. After the drink is consumed, the alcohol enters the blood stream. After it enters the blood stream it dissolves in the†¦show more content†¦After the alcohol in the alveolar is exhaled, a breathalyzer can detect the blood alcohol content of the individual. Lastly, the liver takes care of whatever alcohol is left in the body. Alcohol in beverages is known as ethyl alcohol, more commonly known as ethanol. This ethanol is chemically broken down in the liver. The enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, strips electrons from the ethanol to form acetaldehyde. Another enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase, with the help of oxygen, will convert the acetaldehyde into acetic acid. The acetic acid can be used for to form fatty acids or if further broken down into carbon dioxide and water. The rate at which alcohol affects the body is determined by three things: the concentration of the alcohol, the type of drink, and whether the stomach is full or empty. The higher the concentration the faster the body absorbs it in the blood. When drinking carbonated beverages it tends to speed up the rate for the body to absorb the alcohol. Lastly, the more food in the stomach, the more time it takes for the alcohol to get absorbed. First off, the body responds to alcohol in a series of stages which correspond to an increase in the blood alcohol content (BAC). Blood alcohol content is the amount of alcohol that can be found in the bloodstream. The first stage is euphoria, which has a BAC of .03 to .12 percent. In this stage the person loses their judgment, they mayShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Alcohol On The Body1486 Words   |  6 PagesBilly Creger Judge Guffee Juvenile Court 9 November 2015 Effects of Alcohol on the Body By the time this paper has been read approximately twenty-five people will be seriously injured in an alcohol-related accident. Alcohol can be very harmful in many ways if used incorrectly. The following is just a few of the many ways it can negatively affect one s health. In 1994 a survey was taken among one hundred and forty nationwide college campuses. Of the students surveyed, forty-four percent wereRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol On The Body1440 Words   |  6 Pages Alcohol Avoiding alcohol is a good lifestyle choice to make for those suffering from HIV/AIDS, Alcohol can have negative effects on people living with HIV, both on their bodies and how they behave. On the body, alcohol can weaken the immune system and lower CD4 counts. The effects of alcohol on HIV infection depend on how much a person drinks. A number of studies have found that heavy drinkers and those with alcohol problems have lower CD4 counts than moderate drinkers and are likely to have moreRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol On The Body989 Words   |  4 PagesThe use of Alcohol is thought to have been around as early as the Neolithci period (cir. 10,000 BC.) Its use is common in many cultures and is often related to ones cultural and religious beliefs. Our society has estabished a way of living that is surrounded by the use of such beverages. With its use on the rise, no wonder alcohol addiction is becoming more of an issue then ever before. The National Institute of Drug Abuse’s website reports that 55.9 percent of adults ages 26 and olderRead MoreEffects Of Alcohol On The Body1910 Words   |  8 Pages Alcohol can damage the body physically, mentally, and emotionally. Many people do not realize the impact that consuming alcohol has on their body system. Drinking alcohol affects the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and the immune system. The fastest impact of being intoxicated is on the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of two main parts: the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the most important part of the body, and is essential for everyday use. When under theRead MoreAlcohol Consumption : The Effects Of Alcohol On The Body1312 Words   |  6 Pages Alcohol Consumption: The Effects of Alcohol on the Body Thamara Jean-Jacques Professor: Nina Walker Biology 115 October 17, 2015 Lithonia Campus Abstract Drinking alcohol for a period of time or even binge drinking cause harm your heart. Alcohol increases the risk for heart attack, strokes, and hypertension. In 2013, a total of 71,713 people died of liver disease the ages ranged from 12 and older. Alcohol has also been known to affect the pancreas, large amounts of alcohol can confuseRead MoreAlcohol and Its Effects on the Body Essay932 Words   |  4 PagesAlcohol and Its Effects on the Body As tempting as it might be to consume alcohol in college, I have found through recent experiences that the idea might not be as glamorous and fun as it seems. I have experienced the trouble that drinking can cause and the negative impacts that alcohol does to your body. Unfortunately, I have experienced many of the troubles that alcohol can acquire for someone. There are so many impacts that alcohol has on your body-acute effectsRead MoreEffects Of Alcohol Abuse On The Body991 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of alcohol abuse Alcohol abuse has become a growing problem in the U.S. today. Even though alcohol prevents certain illness and extends life, alcohol abuse needs to be controlled before it gets to out of hand because it has many negative effects on a person’s body, it can cause harm to children mentally and physically, and not only affects the person drinking it but the people around them. Alcohol abuse has many negative effects on the body. One way it affects the body is through the heartRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol Abuse On The Body1644 Words   |  7 PagesAlcohol abuse can also cause short-term effects to the body. Although there are many different short-term effects, the most common happens to be a hangover which is a â€Å"group of symptoms experienced by a person after a heavy consumption of alcohol† (Alcoholic 1). Symptoms of a hangover often consist of nausea, fatigue, thirst, headache, diarrhea, and sensitivity to light and noise. The severity of a hangover depends on several factors; these factors include the amount of alcohol consumed, the levelRead MoreEssay on The Effects of Alcohol on the Body1750 Words   |  7 PagesThe Effects of Alcohol on the Body Alcohol is one of many dangerous substances that effects our bodies. The effects of this drug can be very harmful. Alcohol is a potent non-prescription drug sold to anyone over the national legal drinking age, 21. Unlike other deadly drugs it is easy to access. This makes it easy to over-consume and create a tragic accident, even death. It can damage a person not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. Many people each year become more and moreRead MoreThe Effects of Alcohol on the Human Body1420 Words   |  6 PagesThe effects of Alcohol on the Human Body Name: Institution: Introduction Today, alcohol is one of the most common substances that people abuse. It is an addictive drink that has become a popular way of having a good time or relaxing in social gatherings. It is among the most commonly used psychoactive drugs. Alcohol is a popular social phenomenon, yet most societies forget its effects on their bodies. Research has carried out in the recent years on the effects that alcohol consumption is having