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People get very agitated when talking about drug
abuse. Pushers especially come in for some nasty remarks. There are
those who would want to “kill them all.” What they forget is
that the overwhelming majority of addicts also push at one time or
another. Technically, anybody who gives someone an illegal drug is
pushing. We all know that addicts share their drugs. That makes them
pushers.
What you don’t hear much about
are the pushers of alcohol. Alcohol kills far more people than
illegal drugs do. In fact, alcohol is a central nervous system
depressant. It slows down bodily functions, such as heart rate,
pulse and respiration. Small quantities of alcohol can induce
feelings of well-being and relaxation. It is mainly for these
effects that people drink in moderation.
When, however, people get drunk
and drink excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis, they
become addicted. Though they commit no crime, still, they should be
classified as addicts. They cannot go to jail for their alcohol
addiction, but it could kill them as it did my dad. People can
become psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol and
consequently end up in the similar sad state as the hard core drug
addict.
Being a central nervous system
depressant, alcohol affects the areas of the brain that control
speech and intellectual function, mood and emotion, as well as
muscular coordination to carry out these functions.
“Youth are more susceptible to
alcohol’s effects,” says the experts. “Their bodies are
smaller than adults, and they are still developing physically,
mentally and emotionally. . . . Alcohol affects more that just mood
and emotions. Even in low to moderate doses, it can reduce
sensitivity to pain, taste and odor. It can affect vision. Alcohol
can narrow the visual field, reduce resistance to glare, interfere
with the ability to tell the difference between lights of varying
intensities, and lessen sensitivity to colors, especially red.
Alcohol can impede memory and attention. . . It can affect sexual
performance. While a few drinks might temporarily dull inhibitions
and anxiety about sexual activity, larger doses will lead to
temporary impotence and loss of sensation.”
More and more alcohol intake
progressively hampers one’s ability to perform normally. Motor
functions are clearly affected. Reaction time is lessened. The
ability to reason and make sound judgments is degraded. Eventually,
the heavy drinker falls into a drunken stupor. He could pass out and
fail to remember what happened when he was under the influence.
Though much a sorry state is bad
enough, the long term effects of alcohol abuse and addiction can
lead to many more serious problems and possibly even death. More
about that tomorrow.
If you have problems about
drugs, alcohol and behavior/attitude call my office at 820-6107 or
825-1771 or e-mail me at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box
2099 MCPO, Makati City.
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