Introduction
Alcohol as a drug is consumed in many societies across the globe by people of many ages. As such, it is important to cover this drug because it has a huge impact in the society. Alcohol abuse is very common especially among teenagers. It is sad that most people do not know the dangers that are associated with binge drinking. This paper aims to discuss different aspects of alcohol ranging from its classification, it side effects, and the psychological effects it has on the brain and the specific parts of the brain that it affects.
Classification of Alcohol Alcohol can be objectively classified into two classes. It can be classifies as a depressant as well as a stimulant. Alcohol classification as a depressant …show more content…
Suicide has been mentioned as the most common psychological effect of alcohol where it has been proven that majority of alcoholics commit suicide. Alcohol also has effects on the liver, which results to reduced capacity of the brain to function as a result of increased poison level on the blood that is supplied to the brain (Mongan, Raynolds, Fanagan & Long, 2007). An alcohol abuser will experience a change in sleep patterns that may range from being sleepy or total lack of sleeps. Aspects of depression as well as high level of anxiety are bone out of the same. There is also the inability to remain attentive for a considerable span of time. It also causes unexpected change of moods, personality of the affected individual, and hallucinations (Mongan et all, …show more content…
This is supported by the evidence that alcohol has much profound effects on the thinking capacity of an individual, moods, and generally his/her behavior. These functions are only achieved when there is a proper balance between of chemical types that are identifies as neurotransmitters (Berman, & Marinkovic, 2003). Whenever there is an imbalance in this chemical as a result of high toxic level of the blood supplied to the brain the ability to think is affected as well as a shift in moods and the individual behavior.
Alcohol is both an antagonist and agonist. As an antagonist alcohol reduces some effects of the neurotransmitters while as an agonist it increases the effect of some neurotransmitters (Berman, & Marinkovic, 2003). As an antagonist alcohol reduces the effects of glutamate which results to effects such as slur in speech, loss of memory and slackness in walking. Agonist effects are seen in instances where alcohol acts as painkillers, increased feeling of relaxation and generally feeling drowsy.