Question

Describe the ill –effects of alcoholism on health.

Answer 1

Effects of Drug/ Alcohol Abuse:

i. Behavioural changes: The immediate adverse effects of drugs and alcohol abuse are manifested in the form of reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence.

ii. Coma/ Death: Excessive doses of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, heart failure or cerebral haemorrhage. A combination of drugs or their intake along with alcohol generally results in overdose and even deaths.

iii. Social changes: The most common warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse among youth include a drop in academic performance, unexplained absence from school/college, lack of interest in personal hygiene, withdrawal, isolation, depression, fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour, deteriorating relationships with family and friends, loss of interest in hobbies, change in sleeping and eating habits, fluctuations in weight, appetite, etc.

iv. Crimes: If an abuser is unable to get money to buy drugs/ alcohol he/she may turn to crime. At times, a drug/alcohol addict becomes the cause of mental and financial distress to his/her entire family and friends.

v. Adverse health effects/ Diseases: Those who take drugs intravenously (direct injection into the vein using a needle and syringe) are likely to acquire serious infections like HIV and hepatitis B. Use of alcohol during adolescence may also have long-term effects like loss of balance, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis. It could lead to heavy drinking in adulthood. Chronic use of drugs and alcohol damages the nervous system and liver (cirrhosis). The use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the foetus.

vi. Misuse in Sports: Another misuse of drugs is that certain sportspersons use drugs to enhance performance. They (mis)use narcotic analgesics, anabolic steroids, diuretics and certain hormones to increase muscle strength and bulk and to promote aggressiveness and an overall improvement in their performance.

vii. Side-effects of the use of anabolic steroids in females: Masculinization (features like males), increased aggressiveness, mood swings, depression, abnormal menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth on the face and body, enlargement of the clitoris, deepening of the voice.

viii. Side-effects of the use of anabolic steroids in males: Acne, increased aggressiveness, mood swings, depression, and reduction of the size of the testicles, decreased sperm production, kidney and liver dysfunction, breast enlargement, premature baldness, enlargement of the prostate gland. These effects may be permanent with prolonged use.