AVOID ALCOHOL................
Consumption and abuse of alcohol has been a major public health problem from time immemorial. Alcohol (Ethyl alcohol or ethanol) made out of Fermented grain, fruit juice and honey is a depressant, and if taken in small amounts relaxes the mind and reduce anxieties.
Adverse effects of ALCOHOL
- Chronic drinking can lead to dependence and addiction to alcohol and to additional neurological problems. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication.
- People who have overused alcohol may stagger, lose their coordination, and slur their speech. They will probably be confused and disoriented. Intoxication can make people very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry.
- When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. Alcohol poisoning is very dangerous. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom, as the body tries to rid itself of the alcohol. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may result.
- Chronic alcohol use can cause a vitamin deficiency, damage to the frontal lobes of the brain, an overall reduction in brain size and increase in the size of the ventricles.
- The digestive system of alcoholics is unable to absorb vitamin B1 (thiamine) and deficiency of thiamine can cause various problems effecting the brain.
You can improve your life and health by cutting down on alcohol.
Stick to the limits....save your life......
A safe limit of alcohol consumption is 14 units per week.
i.e. a unit is a single pub measure of a hard drink.
But don't finish off your weekly allowance in one sitting.
Some steps to reduce drinking
- Identify the scale of drinking-Record honestly the amount of alcohol that you consume in a normal week.
- If you are mainly drinking when out with friends, ideally make an excuse and stay in for one or two evenings and have two-no alcohol days each week.
- Fill the time with other activity which you enjoy. Plan a trip to the movies, the mall, a concert, or a sports event - anything that gets you out of the house and keeps you active and entertained.
- You might also organize your friends into a volleyball, bowling, or softball team - any activity that gets you moving.
- Set a safe limit on the amount of alcohol you drink when out with friends and do not be deterred from keeping to it. Choose an occasional soft drink or low-alcohol or alcoholic alternative.
- If drinking mainly at home, learn to practice self-control. Limit yourself to one or two evening drinks with your meal interspersed with non-alcoholic alternatives. Avoid keeping alcohol in the house.
