Alcohol and Health

As many as 70% of people drink alcohol socially, mostly during meals and social occasions. These drinkers seldom, if ever get drunk. Alcohol abuse is drinking so much that you become drunk. Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol.

Alcohol can be a fast or slow poison. Consumed over many years it may cause silent damage to the body; consumed in higher quantities than the body is unable to cope with it may cause sudden death.

An alcoholic overdose is a higher than recommended intake that exceeds an individuals tolerance. Usually an overdose describes the type of intoxication which presents some degree of potential physical or psychological harm.

Overdose of alcohol is common. The overdosed or drunk person may be sweating, confused and uncoordinated, sometimes aggressive or uninhibited depending on the individual, and is likely to vomit if he / she continues to consume alcohol.

Physical Dangers of Alcohol.

• Stomach damage
• Oesophagus damage
• Liver damage
• Brain damage
• Heart damage
• Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

Weight loss and malnutrition can occur from long term alcohol abuse. Alcoholics tend to neglect a balanced diet, so vitamin B deficiencies that cause nerve damage, heart damage, poor memory and fatigue are common.

Delerium Tremens (DTs) occur during withdrawal from alcohol. DTs involve seizures, anxiety attacks, sweating, confusion, sleeplessness, profound depression and hallucinations. DTs can last up to ten days, and may be fatal if the person is not under the care of a physician.