Alcohol Intoxification Like most states, buying and selling alcoholic drinks is a big business, employing thousands in production,

processing, marketing, distribution and retailing. Yet alcohol is not an ordinary good. Its consumption is causally linked to outcomes that none of us enjoy. These include outcomes that affect the drinker ranging from alcoholinduced illness and premature death, highway crashes due to alcohol impairment, and even the impact of heavy drinking on ones ability to earn a living as well as those affected by a drinkers alcohol-induced behavior. Because of the unwanted impacts of alcohol abuse, society pays a substantial price. And because alcohol use and alcohol abuse -- is higher than average in our state, that price is larger than it has to be. Barkey P.M (2009 March) study states that It is well known that the consumption of alcohol is associated with impairments that can affect ones ability to function and earn a living in a number of ways. Alcohol affects the motor skills and decision-making ability of individuals. Heavy drinking can also affect tardiness, absenteeism and productivity while on the job. This leads us to a conclusion that alcohol abuse doesnt do good in our body, hence below are the list of some side effects of chronic alcohol intoxification: liver diseases, such as cirrhosis Oropharyngeal Cancer Esophageal cancer Pancreatitis Hypertension Risk of heart failure, for excessive alcohol consumption Hypertriglyceridemia Cardiomyopathy Stroke, if 3 or more standard drinks of alcohol are taken per day. Furthermore Alcohol is a potentially addictive and very dangerous drug. Some people can drink responsibly and in moderation, but others can abuse alcohol or become fully dependent on it. Alcohol abuse is very common and can affect anyone at any age. Not everyone who abuses alcohol becomes alcohol dependent, or what is commonly known as an alcoholic, but alcohol abuse greatly increases the risk of dependence. If you recognize the signs of alcohol abuse or dependence in yourself or in a friend or loved one, it is critical to get treatment as soon as possible. No one can force another person into treatment, but having caring encouragement and a loyal support system are very important assets.

In many cases, a person becomes alcohol dependent only after many years of alcohol abuse. In other cases, a person can become fully dependent in a relatively short time. Alcoholism does run in the family, either as a genetic cause or a lifestyle or family culture cause. But these social and emotional side effects are usually the first things friends and family notice. Eventually, as the abuse goes untreated and becomes full-blown alcoholism, other long-term effects become evident, including financial side effects: Neglected financial responsibilities, such as paying bills, Increased spending on alcohol and alcohol-related events and activities, Legal problems related to drinking, such as DUI, Decreased productivity at work, resulting in lost wages and even unemployment, and Increased risk of poverty.

These social, emotional, and financial side effects often work together and play off one another to make a persons drinking problems worse, a downward spiral in which the victim feels more and more dependent on drinking, further worsening the side effects. This is one reason prompt treatment is so important. Another important reason to seek immediate help for a drinking problem is to avoid the devastating physical and mental side effects of alcoholism. These side effects get worse over time and can be deadly: Increased tolerance to alcohol, Depression and anxiety, Memory loss, Tremors and shaking, Sexual impotence or loss of sex drive, Excessive sweating, Nausea, Insomnia and fatigue, Blindness, Malnutrition due to loss of appetite, Long-term brain damage, Liver and gastrointestinal problems, and Higher risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

The side effects of drinking define the problem, not the amount of drinking, the time spent drinking, or the intent of the drinker.

Overcoming the disease of alcoholism is not easy. Most people cannot do it without help. The best way to obtain and maintain recovery from alcoholism is to start with alcohol abuse treatment. Level of Alcohol Abuse Treatment Detoxification for Alcohol Abuse Treatment Detox is the medical monitoring and managing of the symptoms of withdrawal of the alcohol from the body. Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Abuse Outpatient consists of attending group and individual counseling sessions several times per week. Partial Treatment for Alcohol Abuse Partial programs usually take place in a hospital setting. You are asked to attend rehab all morning or all afternoon and go home. Inpatient Treatment for Alcohol Abuse Which is full time rehabilitation in a free standing, hospital or residential environment. Treatment may involve one or more medications. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety drugs used to treat withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and poor sleep and to prevent seizures and delirium. These are the most frequently used medications during the detox phase, at which time they are usually tapered and then discontinued. They must be used with care, since they may be addictive. Disulfiram may be used once the detox phase is complete and the person is abstinent. It interferes with alcohol metabolism so that drinking a small amount will cause nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, confusion, and breathing difficulty. Naltrexone reduces the craving for alcohol but, as with all medications used to treat alcoholism, is recommended as part of a comprehensive program that teach patients new coping skills. It is now available as a long acting injection which can be given on a monthly basis. Antidepressants may be used to control any underlying or resulting anxiety or depression, but because those symptoms may disappear with abstinence, the medications are usually not started until after detox is complete and there has been some period of abstinence. Acamprosate is the latest drug used to treat alcoholism and enhances abstinence among patients. Because an alcoholic remains susceptible to becoming dependent again, the key to recovery is total abstinence. Recovery typically takes a broad-based approach, which may include education programs, group therapy, family

involvement, and participation in self-help groups. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most well known of the selfhelp groups, but other approaches have also proved successful.

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year drug abuse results in around 40 million serious illnesses or injuries among people in the United States. Abused drugs include Amphetamines Anabolic steroids Club drugs Cocaine Heroin Inhalants Marijuana Prescription drugs

Drug abuse also plays a role in many major social problems, such as drugged driving, violence, stress and child abuse. Drug abuse can lead to homelessness, crime and missed work or problems with keeping a job. It harms unborn babies and destroys families. There are different types of treatment for drug abuse. But the best is to prevent drug abuse in the first place. People experiment with drugs for many different reasons. Many first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to improve athletic performance or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. Use doesnt automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific level at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. It varies by individual. Drug abuse and addiction is less about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more to do with theconsequences of drug use. No matter how often or how little youre consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your lifeat work, school, home, or in your relationshipsyou likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem. Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse Youre neglecting your responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your children) because of your drug use. Youre using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex. Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit.

Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.

Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction Youve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to attain with smaller amounts. You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety. Youve lost control over your drug use. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldnt. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless. Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drugs effects. Youve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use. You continue to use drugs, despite knowing its hurting you. Its causing major problems in your life blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoiabut you use anyway.

Warning Signs of Commonly Abused Drugs Marijuana: Glassy, red eyes; loud talking, inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness; loss of interest, motivation; weight gain or loss. Depressants (including Xanax, Valium, GHB): Contracted pupils; drunk-like; difficulty concentrating; clumsiness; poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness. Stimulants (including amphetamines, cocaine, crystal meth): Dilated pupils; hyperactivity; euphoria; irritability; anxiety; excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping at odd times; may go long periods of time without eating or sleeping; weight loss; dry mouth and nose. Inhalants (glues, aerosols, vapors): Watery eyes; impaired vision, memory and thought; secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth; headaches and nausea; appearance of intoxication; drowsiness; poor muscle control; changes in appetite; anxiety; irritability; lots of cans/aerosols in the trash. Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP): Dilated pupils; bizarre and irrational behavior including paranoia, aggression, hallucinations; mood swings; detachment from people; absorption with self or other objects, slurred speech; confusion. Heroin: Contracted pupils; no response of pupils to light; needle marks; sleeping at unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing, sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite.

Reference: Wikipedia (2009 August 11). Long-term effects of alcohol. Retrieved last August 31, 2011 from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-term_effects_of_alcohol>.

Alcohol Drug Abuse Help & Resource Center. America's Online Resource for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Help and Information Retrieved Last August 31, 2011 from <http://www.addicthelp.com/alcoholabusetreatment.asp>.

Helpguide.com. Drug abuse and Addiction. Retrieved last August 31, 2011 from http://helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm

Barkey P.M. (2009 March).The Economic Cost of Alcohol Abuse in Montana. Montana Missoula: Bureau of business and economic research. Retrieved last August 31, 2011 from <http://www.bber.umt.edu/pubs/health/costAlcoholAbuseMT.pdf>.

UNDCP (1995 March). The Social Impact of Drug abuse. World Summit for Social Development. Retrieved Last August 31, 2011 from < http://www.unodc.org/pdf/technical_series_1995-03-01_1.pdf>.