Alcoholism has become such a fashion with all kinds of people that those who are away from drinking habit are dubbed as uncultured and odd personalities, in the society.   1. On the brain: Alcohol has got two separate effects on human beings:   1. The pharmacological and psychological, which influences behavior   2. The biochemical and nutritional effects on the body.   1. On behavior: Small doses of alcohol produce euphoria (a lifted feeling) on a person, by removing some of his inhibitions. The individual sees the world through rose glasses. Most people experience greater exhilaration and feeling of self- confidence.   Alcohol generally causes a reduction in anxiety, tension, irritability and mental strain. Because of these effects, it is considered a stimulant by some, but strictly speaking it causes a lack of inhibition and the physical and mental performances of normal individuals are slightly impaired.   In Shakespeare’s words, it provokes the desire but takes away the performance (especially in the sexual activity).   As the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases, the behavior pattern of the individual also changes from normal to abnormal condition.   First of all, he is dashing and debonair; afterwards he becomes dangerous, devilish, dizzy, disturbing, disguising and disheveled and finally he becomes, delirious and disoriented.   There are temporary black outs or memory loss, headache, anxiety, insomnia etc. Also, recurrent arguments or fights with family members or friends, is also there. People do not trust an alcoholic and he does not command respect in the society.   The family life becomes miserable. Over consumption of alcohol also contributes to many of society’s problems, such as antisocial behavior crime and divorce etc.     2. Effects on the body, especially on the heart:   With continued alcohol abuse one may develop alcoholic heart disease, where the heart is enlarged and it functions poorly and gradually fails. They may also have life-threatening cardiac rhythm abnormalities.   Anemia (less amount of blood) and a low blood platelet count are common amongst alcohol abusers. Liver cirrhosis, diabetes and impotency are also present. There is loss of productivity due to these ill health problems. So consumption of alcohol takes us away from our values and the right way of living and thinking.   An alcoholic cannot walk straightly and his movement pattern resembles to the serpent’s which is like in zigzag manner. Every drop of liquor kills. In fact a person who a drink is running away from self by retreating into a momentary make believe world. By the time he is able to re-establish contact with the real world, it has left him far behind in the race of success in life.   Staying away from alcohol ensures a truly meaningful and fulfilling life.       … [Read more...]