HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM ALCOHOL (ETHANOL)
Alcohol (ethanol) is the name of the drug that alters mood that is consumed alone or in social settings. Other types of alcohol are methanol and propanol.
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL INTAKE
Changes in the body are felt within a few minutes after consumption of alcohol. Immediate effect is relief of anxiety. Prolonged consumption heightens anxiety.
Absorption is through the stomach and small intestine. 5% is excreted through the lungs; 5% is eliminated through urine, and the rest is metabolized in the liver. Excessive indulgence in alcohol can lead to alcohol use disorder or alcoholism.
ALCOHOL USE DISORDER/ALCOHOLISM
Alcohol use disorder or alcoholism can lead to malnutrition, road traffic accidents, financial problems, and reduced resistance to diseases. Other problems include poor performance at work and school, relationship problems, and mental and behavioural changes.
Alcohol use disorder is characterized by lack of control of quantity of alcohol intake, requiring larger amounts of alcohol for same effect, feeling incapable of stopping to take alcohol, craving for alcohol very early in the morning, and going for drinks with higher alcohol content.

RISK FACTORS THAT LEAD TO ALCOHOLISM
 Peer pressure
 Family history of alcoholism
 Starting to take alcohol at early age
 Depression/loneliness
 History of emotional trauma
 Cultural factors
 Mental disorders

ALCOHOL INTOXICATION
This occurs after consumption of large amount of alcohol. Manifestations include abnormal behaviour, poor judgement, slurred speech, poor attention, unstable mood, coma and possibly, death.

HEALTH COMPLICATIONS OF ALCOHOLISM
Liver
Alcohol can produce Hepatic Steatosis, Alcoholic Hepatitis, Fatty Liver and Liver Cirrhosis.
Digestive tract
Alcohol can give rise to (or exacerbate) Gastritis, Stomach ulcer, Oesophageal Ulcer, Pancreatitis, Hypoglycaemia and Vitamin B deficiency.
Heart
Alcoholism can promote Hypertension, Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, Heart Arrhythmias, and Stroke.
Brain
Brain complications include Dementia, Encephalopathy and Brain toxicity.
Sexual Organs
Alcoholism can produce Erectile Dysfunction, and Irregular Menses.
Eye
Alcohol can induce Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), and weakness of eye muscles.
Unborn Child
Alcohol intake can induce miscarriages and birth defects.
Cancer
Alcoholism increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, oesophagus, colon and breast.
Bone
Alcoholics tend to have Osteoporosis, with weakened bone that is susceptible to fractures. Damage to bone marrow can lead to anaemia and bleeding disorders.
Nervous System
Alcoholism can lead to numbness in hands and feet, disordered thinking, memory loss, and disorientation.
Immune System
Weakened immune system leads to susceptibility to infections and other diseases.
Drug Interactions
Alcohol is a drug and concomitant intake of certain drugs may lead to drug interactions.
Accidents and Injuries
Alcoholics are prone to road traffic accidents, personal injuries from falls, getting involved in fights, rape and suicides.

ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL
Certain symptoms and signs usually accompany sudden stoppage of heavy alcohol consumption. These include sweating, palpitations, hand tremors, sleeplessness, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, violent behavior, anxiety, and seizures.

TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM
Effects of alcoholism may be psychological, physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Therefore treatment should involve doctors, counselors, psychologists, social workers, clergy and family. There are drugs that help. Group therapy may be helpful. There may be need to remove an individual from social environment that promotes alcohol intake.