Alcohol Control

How To Taking Control of Alcohol Use

Alcohol Use

whether or not people use alcohol is often a reflection of  attitudes developed through the culture in which they live. How much they drink, what they drink, when they drink, and why they drink are all habits derived from their particular environments. Attitudes that a particular culture develops also influence rates of alcoholism. Times change, however, and countries are less isolated than they once were. Those cultural attitudes of a generation ago probably had more influence on behavior, such as drinking alcohol, than they do today. Still, culture does play a role in developing attitudes and behavior concerning alcohol consumption. 

Italy is the second largest wine-producing country in the world, and Italians have historically enjoyed drinking wine. Yet a generation ago, Italy's rates of alcoholism were low. Most Italians drank wine and approved of the practice. They typically drank wine with the noon and evening meals. Excessive drinking and drunkenness, however, were unacceptable.

 Jews, like Italians, have had low rates of alcoholism. Their attitudes toward drinking and drinking habits have been very similar to those of Italians.6 Attitudes continue to change in different cultures, but there are a few factors that seem to affect the rate of alcoholism. In societies in which alcohol is introduced to children in small amounts on special occasions and within a sound family structure, the rates of alcoholism are low. This is also true when drinking is not the main focus of entertainment but accompanies another activity. Conversely, high rates of alcoholism are common in cultures that seem to have no standards about how to drink and how much to drink.

 Consider the attitudes toward drinking within your culture and family. How do these attitudes and practices influence your own opinions toward alcohol use?

CHOOSING TO DRINK 
Clearly, people drink for many different reasons. We believe that most people drink because alcohol is an effective, affordable, and legal substance for altering the brain's chemistry. As inhibitions are removed by the influence of alcohol, behavior that is generally held in check is expressed. At least temporarily, drinkers become a different version of themselves—more outgoing, relaxed, and adventuresome. If alcohol did not make these changes in people, it would not be consumed as much. Do you agree or disagree?  

THE NATURE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 

what are the Nature of Alcoholic Behaverages

Alcohol (also known as ethyl alcohol or ethanol) is the principal product of fermentation. In this process, yeast cells act on the sugar content of fruits and grains to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. The alcohol concentration in distilled beverages (such as whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka) is expressed by the term proof, a number that is twice the percent-age of alcohol by volume in a beverage. Thus 70% of the fluid in a bottle of 140 proof gin is pure alcohol.Most proofs in distilled beverages range from 80 to 160. The familiar, pure grain alcohol that is often added to fruit punches and similar beverages has a proof of almost 200. 

The nutritional value of alcohol is extremely limited. Alcoholic beverages produced today through modern processing methods contain nothing but empty calories—about 100 calories per fluid ounce of 100-proof distilled spirits and about 150 calories per each 12-ounce bottle or can of beer.6 Clearly, alcohol consumption is a significant contributor to the additional pounds of fat that many college students accumulate. Pure alcohol contains only simple carbohydrates; it has no vitamins and minerals, and no fats or protein.

 "Lite" beer and low-calorie wines have been introduced in response to concerns about the number of calories that alcoholic beverages provide. These 'lite" beverages are not low-alcohol beverages but merely low-calorie beverages. Only beverages marked low alcohol" contain a lower concentration of alcohol than the usual beverages of that type. In fact, the popular new ice beers actually contain a higher percentage of alcohol than other types of beer. 

 THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL 
First and foremost, alcohol is classified as a drug a very strong CNS depressant. The primary depressant effect of alcohol is seen in the brain and spinal cord. Many people think of alcohol as a stimulant because of the way most users feel after consuming a serving or two of their favorite drink. Any temporary sensations of jubilation, boldness, or relief are attributable to alcohol's ability as a depressant drug to release personal inhibitions and provide temporary relief from tension. 

Factors That influence the Absorption of Alcohol 

The absorption of alcohol is influenced by several factors, most of which can be controlled by the individual. These factors include the following: • Strength of the beverage. The stronger the beverage, the greater the amount of alcohol that will accumulate within the digestive tract. • Number of drinks consumed. As more drinks are consumed, more alcohol is absorbed. • Speed of consumption. If consumed rapidly, even relatively few drinks will result in a large concentration gradient that will lead to high blood alcohol concentration. • Presence of food. Food can compete with alcohol for absorption into the bloodstream, thus slowing the absorption of alcohol. By slowing alcohol absorption, removal of the alcohol already in the bloodstream can occur. Slow absorption favors better control of blood alcohol concentration. • Body chemistry.

 Each person has an individual pattern of physiological functioning that may affect the ability to process alcohol. For example, in some conditions, such as that marked by "dumping syndrome," the stomach empties more rapidly than is normal, and alcohol seems 
to be absorbed more quickly. The emptying time may be either slowed or quickened by anger, fear, stress, nausea, and the condition of the stomach tissues.