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Alcohol in the Body

Alcohol in the Body


From the moment alcohol enters the body it gets a special treatment. While most food are digested slowly, the tiny alcohol molecule goes to the head of the line(Wilson, 1992). About 20 percent of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and 80 percent is absorbed by the small intestine (Strahl, 2001). Upon absorption, the alcohol molecule enters the blood stream and mixes with the water in the blood. The blood will carry this alcohol inside the body. The brain, liver, heart, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, and every other organ and tissue system are infiltrated by alcohol within minutes after it passes into the blood stream. The strength of the drink will have a significant effect on absorption rates, with higher concentrations of alcohol resulting in more rapid absorption. Pure alcohol is generally absorbed faster than diluted alcohols, which are, in turn, absorbed faster than wine or beer (Dunlap, 2004). Some of this will be transported to the brain. Thus disturbing the regular functioning of the brain. It first passes and affects the neuron in the brain. Because of this the communication skills of the person is affected. Once inside the brain the alcohol will affect Cerebral Cortex, Limbic System, Cerebellum, Hypothalamus, Pituitary glands and Medulla (brain stem)

Three ounces of 80 proof ethyl alcohol will be completely eliminated in the body in sixhours. Because as a rule of thumb, the human body can get rid of .5 oz of alcohol per hour. The alcohol leaves the body in three ways. First, 5 percent of the alcohols leave our body through the kidney by means of urinating. Another 5 percent was of alcohol leaves our body through the lungs. The rest of the alcohol molecules are processed in the liver by metabolism. Liver cells are the only one in the body that can metabolize alcohol at a dehydrogenase (NAD+) and its partners enzymes acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (NALD+, both from B vitamins niacin (Wilson 1992)

In the long run, too much alcohol intake will have an effect on the body. The effect of the alcohol is most prominently noticed in its effect to the brain. It causes depression in to the brain thou in low doses it is has a stimulating effect. It can caused personality changes, mood swings and blackouts and memory lapses, and serious mental disorder like Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS).
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to the inflammation of the liver known as alcoholic hepatitis (Palmer, 2004); impairs judgment, reasoning, learning, coordination, memory and speech (Colleran & Jay, 2002); cause of acute alcoholic pancreatitis, or obstructed pancreatic duct (Falvo, 2005)




References

Colleran, Carol & Jay, Debra Erickson (2002) Aging and Addiction: Helping Older Adults Overcome Alcohol or Medication Dependence. Hazelden. USA

Dunlap, Michaele (2004) Biological Impacts Of Alcohol Use: An Overview. Oregon Counseling. Viewed on October 11, 2006 http://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/ETOHBIOFx.htm

Falvo, Donna (2005) Medical and Psychosocial aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability. Jones and Bartlett Publisher. MA.

Palmer, Melissa (2004) Dr. Melissa Palmer A guide to Hepatitis and Liver Disease: What you need to know?. Penguin Group. NY.

Strahl, Nathan (2001) Clinical Study Guide For Oral Boards in Psychiatry. American Pschiatry Publishing. USA. 178

Wilson, Jan R. (1992) Addictionary: A Primer of Recovery Terms and Concept from Abstinenceto Withdrawal. Hazelden. USA.
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Posted by: FICHTNER, SANDEE

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