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Health 4 U
Alcohol
For those living in the sun with lots of free time on their hands, bar life can become the norm, and just a few long, cool beers during the day, wine with a meal and a few social drinks in the evening can add up to a considerable alcohol intake, and this can easily become a daily habit.
Whilst the sale of alcoholic drinks is restricted to over 18’s, there are no restrictions on alcohol consumption, people over 18 can buy and drink as much as they like.
Alcohol does have a habit forming potential, and alcoholism involves both a physical and psychological dependence which usually becomes evident by someone’s drinking habits, such as occasional binges, large amounts consumed each day, or heavy weekend drinking.
Alcoholic drinks have different strengths. These strengths are measured as a percent (%) by volume. The higher the % the stronger the drink.
Many of the so called alcopops favoured by youngsters often contain more alcohol than beers, ciders and lagers.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and therefore can help people to relax and reduce tension and anxiety. Alcohol can also reduce inhibitions and increase sociability. However, mental performance is impaired.
The effects of alcohol depends on the strength of the drink, how quickly it is consumed, when the person last had a meal, their weight and health, and the situation in which it is drank.
The risks and signs of misuse:
alcohol, being a depressant, can make people feel very down
women usually get more drunk than men on the same quantity of alcohol
reactions and brain function can be impaired
poor co-ordination
slurred speech
heightened emotions
violent behaviour/argumentative
reduced inhibitions
inhalation of vomit (people can be sick, yet muscle control is poor, levels of consciousness may be low and therefore the person chokes – this can be fatal)
memory recall effected
personality changes
Effects of prolonged alcohol use include nutritional, gastro-intestinal, neurological and cardiovascular problems; these include:
Low folic acid levels – anaemia, birth defects
Low iron levels – anaemia
Low niacin levels – skin damage, diarrhoea, depression
Oesophagitis – inflammation of the oesophagus, cancer
Stomach ulcers – gastritis
Liver inflammation – hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer
Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas, low blood sugar levels, cancer
Confusion – reduced co-ordination, poor short term memory, psychosis
Abnormal heartbeat, heart failure
High blood pressure, stroke
Drinking during pregnancy can cause abnormalities in the foetus, and mental and physical development problems in infants. Fairly moderate drinking can result in miscarriage or low birth weight.
Drinking may lead to loss of appetite, which can result in weight loss and a risk of nutritional deficiencies.
If a heavy drinker suddenly stops, they can suffer severe shaking, hallucinations and sometimes fatal convulsions, therefore withdrawal needs to be medically controlled, and mixing alcohol and other drugs can be extremely dangerous.
The reasons why someone becomes an alcoholic is unknown, but it is not just the use of alcohol and certain background and personality traits may predispose a person to alcoholism. For example, alcoholics tend to be people who feel isolated, lonely, shy, depressed or hostile, and they may exhibit self destructive behaviour.
Blood relatives of alcoholics have a higher incidence of alcoholism, and research has suggested that people who are at risk of alcoholism are less easily intoxicated i.e. their brains are less sensitive to the effects of alcohol, and therefore they are unaware of how much they are drinking. However, none of these are excuses to drink, and its imperative a person remains in control rather than allowing the alcohol to control them; and remember, alcohol not only destroys health – it also destroys relationships.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS holds 18 English
speaking meetings a week on the Costa
Blanca. Anyone wishing to attend, or simply
discuss a possible drinking problem,
Contact AA - Costa Blanca North English-speaking: 96 649 5345/657 395 626,
Costa Blanca South English-speaking: 625 912 078,
VALENCIA CITY: Meet Tuesdays & Sundays at 19:00h.
Call for details: 627 095 575 or 686 685 860.
For friends and families of someone with
a drink problem, Al-Anon: 627 613 177.
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Health 
