Alcohol is a commonly used drug throughout the world. While in moderation it actually has many beneficial attributes, excess use or long-term use may harm the body in a number of ways. Acute alcohol intoxication has often led to death in many individuals. This can occur if they ingest too much alcohol at one time for their bodies. It has a number of effects on the brain and on the body. It is also a common source for addictive behavior.

Alcohol’s effects on the brain are well known. Tragically, many individuals do not recognize that they are inebriated and decide to drive. This often leads to serious injuries or death for the person or another individual. Alcohol can cross the blood-brain barrier, resulting in changes to cognition. These changes result from the active ingredient in alcohol, ethanol. Ethanol both relaxes an individual and results in feelings of euphoria. It is a psychoactive drug. While at first ethanol makes an individual relax and feel good, this does not last if an individual keeps drinking. Other signs and symptoms include a decreased social inhibition, flushing, respiratory depression, balance issues, poor decision-making skills and possibly aggression. It is also a depressant, so an individual eventually becomes depressed. It may also result in vomiting, a hangover or loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness is very serious and results from significant amounts of alcohol (Oscar-Berman & Marinkovic, 2007, p. 239).

Alcohol abuse is a common problem in our society. It can occur in any individual; however, there is a genetic predisposition towards it. Its development is also associated with the age of the individual when the person began drinking. Many alcoholics begin drinking at a young age. When this occurs, the individual is more likely to develop heavy drinking habits or alcoholism. In addition, stressful life experiences often lead to alcoholism or binge drinking (Lee, Wolff, Kender & Prescott, 2012, p. 693). Many individuals may develop the early stages of alcoholism as adolescents. What they do not realize is that their emotional and psychological development stops at this point. If they later achieve sobriety, they will be at the same developmental stage as when they began drinking. If an individual becomes and alcoholic at age fourteen and achieves sobriety fourteen years later, the individual is still emotionally fourteen. This is another aspect of recovery for the person (Caplan, 2011). The signs and symptoms of alcoholism is much different than a social drinker’s signs and symptoms. Alcoholics feel a compulsion to drink and cannot limit themselves on their alcoholic intake. They often drink alone or hide their true alcohol intake. If an alcoholic stops drinking, he or she may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. These include shaking, seizures, vomiting and hallucinations. They often have “black out” periods where they cannot remember what happened. In addition, their use of alcohol often causes relationship difficulties, problems at work and even legal issues (Mayo Clinic, 2012).

The short term effects of alcohol intake quickly wear off. An individual may have a hangover or experience vomiting. Dizziness and confusion may often result. The more drinks consumed by an individual, the greater the effects will be. Long term alcohol abuse has serious consequences for the body. Individuals often develop hypertension and liver disease as a result. Liver disease often manifests as cirrhosis of the liver. Another common condition is chronic pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis also results in digestive problems (Mayo Clinic, 2012).

It is important to recognize the signs of alcohol abuse in family and friends and in oneself. If a person believes that he or she has a drinking problem, the person should seek help as soon as possible. A health care provider or even a family member can help the person locate this assistance.