Alcoholism Essay

In popular culture, we see alcohol as a medium to release inhibitions and socialize. The consumption of alcohol is major social activity that is practiced all around the world. It is seen as a custom when individuals become of age, but when does drinking alcohol become more of a burden than a fun activity? The consumption of alcohol can be seemingly innocent but, over time, can cause many health problems. We [as a culture] glorify the consumption of it, without much thought to the effects it has on our bodies. Many people don’t realize this, and often become addicted to consuming alcohol. In this essay, specific information about Alcoholism, as well as the biological factors that surround it, will be discussed.

Alcohol refers to drinks that contain ethyl alcohol, such as beer, wine, and spirits. Ethyl alcohol is responsible for causing feelings of altered consciousness and mood (Department of Health, 2012). It can be considered a depressant so it alters the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. This, in turn, creates feelings of euphoria, which is why alcohol is so popular; it makes people feel good. Some of the immediate effects of alcohol consumption include a relaxed feeling, slowed reflexes, increased confidence, and changes in mood. However, these effects vary from person to person; alcohol has different effects on different people. The increased consumption of alcohol, in contrast, has more universal effects on individuals. Some of these effects include confusion, memory loss, nausea, coma, and even death.

Research has suggested that alcohol use, causes significant changes in the neurotransmitters of the brain. It tends to excite the functions of inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as GABA, glycine, and adenosine, ...

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...ppocampus of alcoholics. This was found through careful analyses of brain structures and contiguous MRI slices of the target brain structure (Sullivan et al., 1995). The hippocampus is involved with processes such as memory formation, spatial orientation, and formation of emotions/responses. Damage to this structure of the brain could attribute to some of the behaviours that are associated with alcoholism, such as difficulties in recovering memories, confusion, and heightened emotional states.

In conclusion, the use of alcohol has many short and long term effects. It transforms our perceptions, cognitions, and even our physical health and well-being. These transformations are the explanations for he way we behave when we drink. It affects everyone to a different extent but after long periods of alcohol use and abuse, has major detrimental effects on our bodies.