Alcohol intoxicates the body completely. Drugs comprise of lethal compounds such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol. The most widely used alcohol is ethanol consisting of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen at a highly volatile liquid state with a distinct odour and killing properties. It is as powerful as hypnotizing the human body and depressing the nervous system, taking control of the human body completely. This effect depends on the content of alcohol consumed by the body. Alcohol is water soluble. Meaning it goes in the blood stream and penetrates through all cells, membranes and organs present in the human body.
In the initial stages of alcohol consumption, one feels more cheerful, happy and feels relieved of all sorts of stress. Little consumption of alcohol boosts confidence and releases your inhibition. At this stage the blood alcohol levels range between 0.03 to 0.12%. All this may sound very exciting initially but the long term effects of alcohol are seen at a later stage. Liver is the organ in human body that filters intoxicants from the human body. Malfunctioning of the liver can result in jaundice and hepatitis. Consumption of alcohol results in liver cirrohis, which means the liver is completely damaged and needs to be replaced through a liver transplant. In New York, liver cirrohis is the third most frequent causes of death among patients ranging from 25 to 64 years.
A Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) ranging from 0.09 to 0.23% leads to lack of coordination, blurry vision, lethargy and people become sleepy. Levels ranging between 0.17% to 0.28% causes nausea, total confusion and chaos in human brain resulting in extreme behavior, aggression or over sentimental attitude. At BAC levels 0.25 to 0.39%, the body is severely affected and the patient is at a high risk of coma or even death. A range above 0.35% to 0.5% leads to very low breathing, total unconsciousness, with next to no body reflexes. Any levels above 0.5% result in the failure of the central nervous system and cause instant death.
Effects of alcohol also vary according to your weight. If you weigh less, you are likely to suffer the symptoms more as compared to a person your age but weigh more. Moreover, if you are taking alcohol with food, less absorption will take place since 80% of the alcohol is mostly absorbed in the small intestine and the ingestion of food can slow the absorption of alcohol. Alcohol reduces your intake of food since it is high in calories. A person consuming 200 grams of alcohol per day has an intake of 1500 calories decreasing the appetite and replacing the nutrient level in the body. Malnutrition can also lead to weakening of the liver.
Intoxication also leads to injuries and pre mature deaths resulting due to road accidents, child abuse, unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies, suicides, falling, drowning, heart damage, cancers, brain damage and infertility. While consuming alcohol, ensure you are tolerant to it and not dependent on it. National guidelines for alcohol consumption along with the do’s, don’ts and charges of drug intake are also available to guide you on how to avoid being an alcohol addict.