ider alcohol a drug. The result is that among many groups a double standard exists for alcohol and for other drugs. Illicit drugs are considered dangerous and unhealthy, but alcohol is accepted and not considered threatening to the individual family, or society. However alcohol and drugs can be threatening to the individual, family, and our society. Substance abuse is known to affect ones behavior and personality. Abusers are known to be manipulative and often are in denial. One of the greatest consequences of alcohol abuse is the physiological damage that can be done. Alcohol is absorbed directly from the stomach and exerts system depression and physiological effects throughout the body almost immediately. In low doses, alcohol produces relaxation, loss of inhibition, loss of concentration, drowsiness, slurred speech, and sleep. Chronic use of alcohol has two major physiological problems 1.) Wernickes encephalopathy, also called Wernickes syndrome is a form of dementia and results from thiamin deficiency . Symptoms include paralysis of ocular muscles, diplopia, ataxia, somnolence, and stupor. Korsakoff psychosis which usually accompanies Wernicke encephalopathy is characterized by confusion and short-term memory loss, and confabulation. 2.) Cirrhosis of the liver, cirrhosis involves the widespread destruction of functional liver cells that are replaced with fibrous nonfunctioning scar tissue. Complication of cirrhosis include portal hypertension, ascites, esophageal varices, and hepatic encephalopathy. Complications of Cirrhosis and Wernickes encephalopathy are life threatening and require aggressive treatment. With Wernickes if thiamine replacement therapy is not initiated, death may occur and in those with cirrhosis further ingestion of alcohol my result in death. Other physiological problem associated with alcohol are cardiovascular effects, gastrointestinal, skin, malnutrition, neurological, and sexual dysfunction. ...
