Alcohol

The whole history of humanity is permeated by alcohol consumption. Archaeological records show that the first signs of alcohol consumption by humans dates from about 6000 BC, and therefore, a very old custom and has persisted for thousands of years. The notion of alcohol as a divine substance, for example, can be found in numerous examples in mythology, is perhaps one of the factors responsible for the maintenance of drinking over time.

Initially, the drinks were relatively low alcohol content, such as wine and beer, since it depended solely on the fermentation process. With the advent of the distillation process, introduced in Europe by the Arabs in the Middle Ages, new types of alcoholic beverages, which came into use in its distilled form. At this time, this kind of beverage came to be regarded as a remedy for all diseases, because "the concerns dissipated faster than wine and beer, and produce a more efficient relief of pain," then the word appearing whiskey ( of gallic Usquebaugh, which means "water of life").

From the Industrial Revolution, there was a large increase in the supply of this type of beverage, contributing to higher consumption and thus generating an increase in the number of people who have to present any problems due to alcohol abuse.

General:
Despite the lack of knowledge by most people, alcohol is also considered a psychotropic drug as it acts on the central nervous system, causing a change in the behavior of those who consume it, and has the potential to develop dependence. Alcohol is one of the few psychotropic drugs that have allowed their consumption and even encouraged by society. This is one of the reasons why he is viewed differently when compared with other drugs. Despite its wide social acceptance, consumption of alcoholic beverages, when excessive, becomes a problem. In addition to numerous traffic accidents and violence associated with episodes of drunkenness, alcohol consumption in the long term, depending on the dose, frequency and circumstances, can cause a condition of dependence known as alcoholism. Thus, the inappropriate consumption of alcohol is a major public health problem, especially in Western societies, resulting in high costs to society and involving issues, medical, psychological, occupational and family.

Acute Effects:
Drinking alcohol causes various effects that appear in two distinct phases: a stimulant and a depressant. In the first moments after the ingestion of alcohol may appear, the stimulating effects as euphoria, disinhibition and gab (easier to speak). Over time, begin to appear the depressant effects such as lack of coordination, lack of control and sleep. When consumption is very exaggerated, the depressing effect is exaggerated and may even induce a coma. The effects of alcohol vary in intensity according to personal characteristics. For example, a person used to consume alcoholic beverages will feel the effects of alcohol with less intensity when compared with another person who is not accustomed to drinking. Another example is related to physical structure, a person with a physical structure of large will have a greater resistance to the effects of alcohol. The consumption of alcohol may also trigger some unpleasant effects such as facial flushing, headache and general malaise. These effects are more intense for some people whose body has difficulty metabolizing alcohol. Orientals in general, are more likely to feel these effects.

Alcohol and Traffic:
Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, decreased motor coordination and reflexes, compromising the ability to drive or operate other machinery. Research shows that most accidents are caused by drivers who had been drinking before driving. In this sense, according to Brazilian legislation (National Traffic Code, which took effect in January 1998) shall be penalized any driver who has more than 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. The amount of alcohol needed to achieve this concentration in the blood is equivalent to drinking about 500 ounces of beer, 200ml wine or 80ml of spirits.

Alcoholism
As already mentioned in the text, the person who consumes alcohol excessively, over time, may develop alcohol dependence, a condition known as "alcoholism." Factors that can lead to alcoholism are varied and can be biological, psychological, cultural or having the resultant of all these factors. Alcohol dependence is a common condition, affecting about 5 to 10% of the adult Brazilian.
The transition from moderate drinking to problem drinking occurs slowly, with an interface that generally takes several years. Some of the signs of problem drinking are: development of tolerance, ie the need to drink increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same effect, increasing the importance of alcohol in one's life, the perception of the "great desire" to drinking and lack of control over when to quit, withdrawal syndrome (the appearance of unpleasant symptoms after missing a few hours without water) and increased intake of alcohol to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

The withdrawal of alcohol is a picture that appears for the reduction or halt the intake of alcohol after a period of chronic use. The syndrome begins 6-8 hours after stopping drinking alcohol, which is characterized by tremor of the hands, accompanied by gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders and a state of general anxiety (mild abstinence). About 5% for those in mild withdrawal progress to severe withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens, in addition to emphasizing the signs and symptoms mentioned above, is characterized by generalized tremors, severe agitation and disorientation in time and space.

Effects on the body:
Individuals addicted to alcohol can develop various diseases. The most common are diseases of the liver (fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis). Are also common problems of the digestive system (gastritis, malabsorption syndrome and pancreatitis), the cardiovascular system (hypertension and heart problems). Are also frequent cases of alcoholic poly neuritis, characterized by pain, tingling and leg cramps.

During pregnancy:
The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can have consequences for the newborn, and that the higher the consumption, the greater the chance of harming the fetus. Thus, it is recommended that all pregnant women avoid alcohol consumption not only during pregnancy but also during the whole period of breastfeeding, as alcohol can pass to the baby through breast milk. About one third of the babies of mothers addicted to alcohol, which made excessive use during pregnancy, are affected by "the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome." Newborns show signs of irritation, suckle and sleep little, besides having tremors (symptoms resembling withdrawal symptoms). Children severely affected and who survive the first moments of life, may present physical and mental problems that vary in intensity according to the severity of the case.