Alcohol

Alcohol History Men discovered alcohol very early on. They determined that particular fruits, grains, and sugars made an intoxicating beverage when fermented. It was also used for medical purposes. Its name came from the Arabic word al-kohl, which means: a powder for painting the eyelids. In 1988 the government passed a law requiring beer manufacturers to label their products with the Surgeon Generals warnings about the effects of alcohol. Drug’s Effect Alcohol is one of the most common drugs today. It is a depressant drug, one that slows down the work of the central nervous system. Also the heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure decrease. Since some over the counter drugs may also have the same effect, ingesting them with alcohol may have such harmful effects as unconsciousness and death. It is quickly absorbed into the blood; twenty per cent is immediately absorbed through the stomach, the rest is absorbed by the small intestine. It is carried to all extremities and parts of the body through the blood until it is broken down by the liver (it usually takes about an hour for the liver to break down all of the alcohol). The lung and kidneys also play a small part in the elimination. The brain, kidneys, and liver ar

BibliographyCompton"tms Interactive Encyclopedia 1995 c 1994 Soft key Multimedia Inc. articles: "Alcoholic Beverages," "Alcohol," and "Alcohol and Government" Dr. Because alcohol affects the brain first, some people talk more freely and sometimes reveal personal things that they would not reveal otherwise. This is the reason why over 25,000 people die of drunk driving in the US alone. Because these withdrawal symptoms make it so difficult for alcoholics to get on the wagon, there are support groups for these troubled people. It is, however, illegal to drive drunk. This help is offered by hospitals, organizations, and help centers. The alcoholics, people who suffer from alcoholism, are mentally as well as physically dependent on the drug in question. Another term used to a less common extent is "booze. After much use alcohol may also become habit-forming. Many drunk, and otherwise innocent, Americans die because of alcohol. A six-pack of beer usually sells around 4. 05 BAC or more if under 21 years old. Though alcohol creates many problems, the government has reason to encourage alcohol production in the US.