Alcohol as a Drug AlbiSara

What exactly is a drug? “Most experts agree that a drug is any substance that you drink, eat, inject, inhale or otherwise put into your body that changes your brain chemistry and makes you act or feel differently from when you are not taking the substance.” “Any substance which when absorbed into a living organism may modify one or more of its functions.”

What does this have to do with alcohol? Alcohol affects your body, therefore it is a drug. “Alcohol has a biphasic effect on the body, meaning that its effects change over time. Initially, alcohol typically produces feelings of relaxation and cheerfulness.”

Statistics? Percent of adults 18 years of age and over who were current regular drinkers (at least 12 drinks in the past year): 52% Number of alcoholic liver disease deaths: 14,406 Number of alcohol-induced deaths, excluding accidents and homicides: 23,199 In the United States, every 30 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol related traffic accident. Over 15 million Americans are dependent on alcohol. 500,000 are between the age of 9 and 12.

Alcohol’s effects on YOU if misused… “Alcohol is classified as a Central Nervous System Depressant. Short term effects as a result of alcohol use includes: decreased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated blood vessels, and impaired motor skills. The long term effects include stomach damage, liver cirrhosis, heart disorder, brain damage, and death.” Fetal alcohol can occur when a pregnant mother drinks.

Bibliography www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversi es/ html www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversi es/ html info.com/Effects_of_Alcohol.html info.com/Effects_of_Alcohol.html statistics.php statistics.php ts/facts-alcohol.jsp ts/facts-alcohol.jsp