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“THE abuse of alcohol can lead to long-term
physical, emotional and social problems,” say the experts.
“Alcohol affects nearly every organ system in the body. Chronic,
heavy use can cause damage to vital organs. This may result in
disorders such as cirrhosis of the liver (which is what killed my
father), heart disease and pancreatitis. Drinking can damage the
brain and the central nervous system.
“Alcoholism can also cause
several different types of cancer. These include tumors of the oral
cavity, tongue, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, lung,
pancreas, colon and rectum.” Now that is a lot of cancers.
Moreover, alcohol abuse can cause
gastrointestinal irritations, such as nausea, diarrhea, gastritis
and ulcers, malnutrition, sexual dysfunctions, high blood pressure
and lowered resistance to disease. Besides all these are accidents
in the workplace and in recreational settings. Because alcohol
impairs motor control it can increase the risk of accidental falls,
which can result in injury and even death.
Statistics show that alcohol
contributes strongly to the occurrence of suicide. Between 20 and 35
percent of suicide victims have a history of alcohol abuse or are
drinking shortly before the act.
Violence in the home is often
accompanied by drinking too much. A large proportion of domestic
violence and child abuse is linked to the use and abuse of alcohol.
In America alcohol is a key factor in 68 percent of manslaughters,
62 percent of assaults, 54 percent of murders and attempted murders,
48 percent of robberies and 44 percent of burglaries. Many people
use alcohol immediately before committing these crimes.
So you can see just how harmful
is alcohol abuse. Yet it remains legal and is often even used to
excuse and/or explain away destructive behavior. We tolerate the
local town drunk and even make fun of them. Something we do not do
with drug addict who is feared and reported to the authorities.
Women who drink while pregnant
can cause severe damage to the unborn fetus. Alcohol passes through
the placenta to the fetus. This causes the fetal blood alcohol level
to rise quickly. It remains high because the fetus’ underdeveloped
liver cannot break it down.
“Alcohol can permanently damage
developing fetal organs, possibly resulting in a cluster of symptoms
called fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS. Children with FAS may have
mental retardation, facial and limb abnormalities, heart defects,
learning disabilities, behavioral problems, etc.”
Furthermore, “no safe level of
alcohol use during pregnancy has been established. Researchers do
not know how much a pregnant woman can drink without causing damage
to her developing child. A woman should also limit her use of
alcohol when breast-feeding, since alcohol can pass to the infant
through breast milk.”
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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