Many people consider alcohol the solver of their personal, social and career problems. It is worth noting that when alcohol is used in moderation, it has got health benefits. . Understanding alcohol from this point of view prevents persons from becoming alcoholics (Larimer, 2013). Additionally, by individuals involving in binge drinking, it translates to them having health complications like liver damage which further deteriorates the abilities of the body to handle impurities from blood. Without proper care, the possibilities of an individual becoming an alcoholic are bound to increase.
There are potential short term and long term effects that are associated with involving in alcoholism. In most cases, these consequences are always negative to the working mechanism of the body. Short term negative effects of alcohol include: poor levels of concentration, slow reaction rates, decreased reflexes, poor coordination of the body and resulting from slow brain activities (Poli et al., 2012). The long term effects of imbibing alcohol include disrupted brain development, stomach and intestinal ulcers, liver damage, hypertension, lowered level of sperm production and death in extreme cases.
The potential positive effects of alcohol include; reduced levels of catching a cold to alcohol user who are non smokers, decreases the possibilities of the users from being affected by the dementia by close to 23% since alcohol makes brain cells to toughen up thus addressing any possibilities of mental breakdown. Studies have also shown that moderate alcohol usage is useful in preventing the potential of gallstones to the user (Larimer, 2013). Finally, moderate alcohol drinking plays a part in reducing type 2 diabetes which is related to a healthy lifestyle.
The body parts affected by alcohol include brain, the heart, liver, pancreas and the immune system. The coordination of the brain is affected thereby altering the way communications are made in an individual’s make up. To the heart, excessive alcohol, usage results in the stretching of the heart muscles thereby resulting in irregular heartbeats. The damages of alcohol to the liver include; cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis and steatosis. Excessive levels of alcohol also results in pancreatitis (Poli et al., 2012). Finally, chronic drunks are highly susceptible to diseases like pneumonia and TB because of a weakened immune system.
The youth are the persons who should be actively involved in alcohol prevention programs by nursing educators. The fact that this portion of the population is constantly under the threat of alcoholism in terms of peer pressure makes it paramount that more focus should be given to them when alcohol prevention programs are designed (Gilbert, et al., 2014). An educated youth on matters of alcohol is an empowered and responsible one when they mature into men and women. Additionally, the youth like experimenting of which in this direction, it may have profound negative effects ion them.
Bearing in mind that most youths are aware of information communication and technology, it is imperative that alcohol educators focus on providing scientific information about the effects of alcohol. The contents of this information should contain all the perils that are associated with involving in alcohol consumption and the health effects of this habit (Gilbert, et al., 2014). Charts, pictures and demonstrations depicting the effects of alcohol usage should be included in this educational regimen to reinforce the efforts targeted at addressing alcoholism.
References
Gilbert, G. G., Sawyer, R. G., McNeill, B. A., & McNeill, E. B. (2014). Health education: Creating strategies for school and community health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Larimer, M. (2013). Preventing alcohol abuse in college students: A harm-reduction approach. Alcohol problems among adolescents: Current directions in prevention research, 147.
Poli, A., Marangoni, F., Avogaro, A., Barba, G., Bellentani, S., Bucci, M., & de Gaetano, G. (2013). Moderate alcohol use and health: a consensus document. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 23(6), 487-504.
