Discuss The Effect Of Alcoholism In The Nervous System (Essay Sample)

Alcohol and Nervous System
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Alcohol and Nervous System
Alcohol affects the functioning of the nervous system which is controlled by the brain. Alcohol is directly absorbed by the brain. The effect range from short-term to long-term effects. Although most effects of alcohol are temporary, the long-term effects are permanent and non-reversible. Alcohol is one of the legal and socially accepted drugs in the community. People are ignorant of the effect the drug has on the nervous system, especially to the addicts. It, therefore, result in alcoholism diseases. According to Scheld, Whitley, & Marra, (2014), absorption of alcohol in the brain impair the functioning of tissues responsible for sending signals to nerves connected to various body parts. It results in a series of deteriorated activities of nerves. Although temporarily unsteadiness is the most known effect of alcohol, it also affects nervous system resulting in permanent conditions in the long-run.
Alcohol is the most consumed and misused drug amongst people. It is legal and accepted in the society. The perception that people drink to be sociable contributes toward the abuse of alcohol from an early age. It is not a wonder finding restaurant`s menus serving alcohol. However, Uncontrollable alcohol drinking habits interfere with nervous systems especially hearing and vision. It depresses the nervous system characterized by an inability to concentrate, delirium and tremors. Many individuals are suffering from alcoholism disease which has slowly damaged them psychologically and physically CITATION Ami11 \l 1033 (Dasgupta, 2011). Medical personnel insists that alcohol slows down the body`s functions as well as the nerves. The short-term effects of alcoholism are known to range from unconsciousness, slurred speech, memory loss, poor judgment and even sometimes death. Abuse of alcohol majorly causes brain cancer.
Referring to World Health Organization, (2014), alcohol gets into the brain and nerve tissue; it interferes with nerve cells slowing down their functions. It results in loss of inhibition of particular tissues of the brain that control reasoning, judgment, and instincts. The acute depressant triggers impaired vision and decreased coordination of body parts and thus the reason drinking while driving is discouraged. Most individuals perceive that alcohol helps them sleep well. The reality is, the sleep is usually more fragmented with aggravated cases of restless leg syndrome and nightmares. Extreme cases of alcoholism result in an alcoholic blackout, it is a loss of consciousness due to the high toxic level of this substance in the blood stream.
In the long run, alcohol abuse results in dementia and memory loss. Although alcohol effects are usually mild, they result to permanent conditions. While alcohol in the cerebellum results in momentary unsteadiness, the lasting effect are a permanent imbalance CITATION Ron13 \l 1033 (Watson, Preedy, & Zibadi, 2013). Even with strong medications, they only prevent worsening of effects but don’t reverse the damage which already exists in the nervous system. Alcohol should be viewed as any other drug with potential side effects. Alcohol is known to change how the brain works. It generates uncontrollable desire and craving for alcohol. According to Kuhar, (2012), if alcohol is withdrawn from the body of an alcoholic, they experience depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Alcoholism results to obsession state of mind. O...