Alcohol

Hydroxyl derivative of alkane (hydro carbon) is called alcohol. For example Menthanol , Ethanol. The method of producing alcohol is called fermentation. Alcohol refers to organic compounds obtained by formation of sugar, corn, fruits, etc such as ethyl alcohol. The other type of alcohol is methyl alcohol, synthesized from beverages. Methyl alcohol is toxic and is not drinkable. Ethyl alcohol is drinkable alcohol. Different alcoholic beverages contain different amount of alcohol. As for example, beer contains 7-15%, wines contain 15-25%, distilled liquors, whiskey, gin, brandy and rum contain 40-60% alcohol. A small dose of alcohol causes feeling of relaxation and increases appetite. Larger doses can impair speech and muscular co-ordination and may irritate the stomach lining. A very large amount can produce severe depression of the central nervous system and may be fatal. Regular ingestion of large quantities of alcohol can create a dependency  and have injuries effects on organs of the body, especially of the liver. Regular excessive consumption of alcohol is a disease, which is called alcoholism.

      

According to different researchers more than 60% health problems are due to use of alcohol. Use of excess alcohol also be responsible for road accidents, domestic and social and other crimes.

Causes

       Different individuals take alcohol due to different reasons. The use alcohol is also socially accepted. The reasons for alcohol intake are:

.      To celebrate different occasions such as birthday party and for relaxation.

.      To get socialized and influence who used to take alcohol.

.      To escape from worries and problems.

.      Socio-cultural practices and tradition.

.      Out of curiosity and influenced by advertisements.

.      Peer-pressure.

.      Broken home, frustration and failure to accomplish desires.

.      Lack of guidance and supervision by parent’s.

.      To make image and as a fashion.

Immediate Effects of Alcohol

.       Decrease in thinking and memory capacity.

.       Speech problems and loss of self control.

.       Social and domestic crime and violence.

.       Road and other accident.

.       Family and social relationship become poor.

.       Body become imbalance and passive.

.       Problem of vision in night, poor focus and double vision.

.       Person become more talkative land and aggressive.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol

.       High blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

.       Economic status, family and social prestige become low.

.       Cancer in the different parts of the body.

.       Effects on stomach, gastritis, ulcer, bleeding from ulcer.

.       Adverse affects in liver which causes hardnening of liver and cirrhosm.

.       Sexual dysfunction in male and infertility in female.

.       Heart swells and suffer heart failure.

.       Person may be violent towards his wife or children which may cause boreakdown of family relationships.

Control Measures

.       People should be warned about alcoholism effect.

.       Education and awareness campaigns about the ill effects and bad consequences of alcohol.

.        The distribution pattern of alcoholic beverage should be controlled.

.        Advertisement of alcoholic products in media should be discouraged, if possible banned.

.        Avoid those friends who use alcohol.

.        Parents should play role of examples in the family by not talking alcohol.

.        Develop self-esteem and courage to say “NO” to alcoholic consumption.

.        Seek community participation and support to establish alcohol rehabilitation centre.

.        Do not practice alcohol in front of children; if possible do not take it.