Alcohol and the Body

Alcohol and the Body

Alcohol can have many negative impacts on the body which can sometimes

be permanent or fatal. It seems that many underage and of age drinkers

are not aware of these effects. While drinking, people get so caught up

in the way it makes you feel that you can sometimes forget what the

substance is actually doing to your body.

Alcohol is defined as a depressant, because it slows the central

nervous system. When the central nervous system is slowed down it can

cause a decrease in reaction time, motor coordination, and intellectual

abilities. When alcohol is consumed at extremely high amounts the

respiratory system slows down so much it could cause the body to go into

a coma, or even death.

A drink first enters the stomach and small intestine , where small

blood vessels transport it to the blood stream. About 20% of the

alcohol consumed is absorbed through the stomach and the rest through

the small intestine. Alcohol is then metabolized by your liver, where

enzymes work to break down the substance. Typically the liver can

metabolize one once of liquor, or one beer in one hour. If you were to

exceed this amount your liver cannot process as quick as you're

drinking and your system will become saturated. In this case, the

remaining alcohol is accumulated in the blood and tissues until the

liver can metabolize the alcohol. This is why the time you take between

drinks is so important , and why drinking games and shot contests can

be so dangerous.

Your personal BAC. is also important to how alcohol will effect you.

Your blood alcohol content measures the ratio of alcohol in the blood.

BAC can depend on factors such as weight, sex, and the amount of drinks

you consume within an hour. For instance a male who weighs 250 lbs.

can consume 4 drinks within an hour and his BAC only be .70 where as a

100 lb. female can consume 4 drinks and her BAC be .203 , which is

defined as severe intoxication. This is why it is never safe to try to

"out drink" someone.

Alcohol can also permanently