Embedded Files
Alcohol is a type of depressant that contains neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate. Alcohol causes pleasant effects to alcohol users that include relaxation and impulsiveness. (obtained from class notes)
The overall statistics of alcohol and its relation to substance abuse.
Alcohol and DUIs
(NHTSA. (n.d.)., 2024)
In the united states, in a day, about 37 people die from drunk driving vehicle accidents.
Driving under the influence can impair an individuals ability to operate a vehicle. This includes...
vision
reaction time
coordination
Alcohol Facts
(obtained from class notes)
Can cause depression
Can cause memory loss
Organ damage
Impaired reactions
Possible fatal withdrawal
Important Vocabulary
(obtained from class notes)
Depressant: a type of drug that can cause a sensation of relaxation. For example, alcohol
GABA: (gama-aminobutyric acid) a major inhibitory neurotransmitter
Glutamate: a major excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in memory
Substance Abuse Rate
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-a)., 2023)
29.5 million people ages 12 and older had an alcohol abuse disorder
753,000 people ages 12 to 17 had an alcohol abuse disorder
Why is alcohol addicting?
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.-b)., 2024)
Alcohol can become an addictive substance due to its relaxing sensation in the body. Alcohol reduces the brains activity by eliminating stress and anxiety.
This image demonstrates the percentage of alcohol poisoning deaths in both men and women.
Withdrawal Symptoms:
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.)., 2024)
irritability
sleep disturbances
anxiety
pain
death
This image demonstrates the parts of the brain that are effected by alcohol addiction
Health and social consequences effects due to alcohol:
(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.)., 2024)
cancer
heart disease
liver disease
violence
suicide
motor vehicle accidents
Korsakoff’s Syndrome:
(Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.)., 2024)
Alcohol abuse can cause Korsakoff's syndrome. This disorder affects the memory system in the brain. A lack of vitamin D1 can be caused by alcohol abuse and could lead to difficulty in learning and retaining new information. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.)., 2024)
This image is a demonstration of how a healthy liver and a cirrhosis liver are distinct from each other.
Cirrhosis:
(Mayo Clinic, 2023)
Severe scarring of the liver is called Cirrhosis. This can be caused by chronic alcoholism. Overtime, the liver gets damaged due to alcohol abuse, and as the liver tries to repair itself, more scar tissue forms. This effects the liver from functioning properly.
Study demonstrates the influence on Social imitation of alcohol
Robinson and colleagues (2016) conducted two studies testing social desirability as an essential factor explaining social imitation of alcohol consumption. In the first study, 80 participants drank alcohol with a heavy or light-drinking confederate under conditions that were meant to increase or reduce motivation for social desirability. In the second study, 149 participants were manipulated to believe the degree of social desirability they had with the heavy or light-drinking confederate. Study two showed the confederate’s drinking behavior influenced participants' alcohol consumption, and the effect the confederate had was more distinct if the participants weren’t sure if the confederate saw them as socially desirable. This suggests that social desirability might explain why people imitate the drinking behavior of those around them.
Page updated
Report abuse