ALCOHOLISM THE LIFE DANGER

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes. Medical definitions describe alcoholism as a disease which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite consequences.

               Alcoholism also referred to as dipsomania in 19^th and early 20^th centuries, may also refer to a preoccupation with or compulsion toward the consumption of alcohol and/ or an impaired ability to recognize the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Although not all of these definitions specify current and on-going use of alcohol as qualifier, some do, as well as remarking on the long-term effects of consistent, heavy alcohol use, are including dependence and symptoms of withdrawal.

WHAT IS ALCOHOL?

Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is a process that uses yeast or bacterial to change the sugars in the food into alcohol. Fermentation is used to produce many necessary items everything from cheese to medication. Alcohol has different forms and can be used as cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative. So if alcohol is a natural product, why do people need to be concerned about drinking it? When people (the brain and spinal cord), which controls virtually all body functions.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF ALCOHOL

The use of alcohol plays an important social function/role in most societies in Kenya. Alcohol is always present in meetings when elders are settling disputes and also when marriage is being arranged.

HOW MUCH IS IT SAFE TO DRING?

One of the most basic information required by officers or health care provider working in area of alcohol is the quality of alcohol being consumed. But because alcohol comes in many different forms, it is difficult to judge how much alcohol has been consumed, standard measures have been created.

WHY, DO PEOPLE DRINK?

Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years to adulthood is common. Some reasons as to why people use alcohol (and other drugs) are:

1. Curiosity

2. To feel good, reduce stress, and relax

3. To fit in/peer pressure

4. To feel older, smarter, whole/ adequate,

5. Ignorance, lack of self-esteem or aim in life.

From a very young age, kids see advertising message showing beautiful people enjoying life and alcohol. And because many parents and other adults use alcohol socially having beer or wine with dinner, for example alcohol seems harmless to many people.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE BODY

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol actually blocks some of the message trying to get to the brain. This alters a person’s perceptions, emotions, movement, vision and hearing. In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication. People who have overused alcohol may stagger, lose their coordination, and slur their speech. They will probably be confused and disoriented. Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry. Reaction times are slowed dramatically which is why people are told not drink and drive. People who are intoxicated may think they’re moving properly when they’re not. They may act totally out of character.

               When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. Alcohol poisoning is exactly what it sounds like the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures and even death may result.

PROBLEMS OF INTOXICATION

This is probably the least acknowledged and most widespread group of alcohol related problems. It is important to realize that quite a low level of intoxication can give rise to problems such as drinking and driving, minor domestic accidents, disagreements or hangovers. Most obvious effects of the intoxication are family arguments, theft, domestic violence, child neglect/abuse, abseeintism, from work, public drunkard ness, public aggression and road traffic offenses.