Alcohol has a pronounced influence on the central nervous system which can cause adverse physical, emotional, and mental effects. Because of its solubility properties, it is able to enter the bloodstream easily and also pass through the blood-brain barrier. It acts on different areas of the brain, spinal cord, and neurotransmitter systems. The association between alcohol and the nervous system is profound, as it has the capacity to affect many bodily functions.
The effects of alcohol will vary depending on the dose consumed. Low doses will hinder concentration, slow reflexes, and slow reaction time. Medium doses will produce drowsiness, change emotions, and slur speech. Effects of high doses include difficulty breathing, vomiting, and coma. Elevated doses are extremely dangerous and can be fatal.
Because alcohol is a depressant, it can immediately intensify the emotions and, in the long-term, can influence emotional, mental, and psychological health. Emotional effects can include depression, anxiety, and panic. Alcohol is linked to suicide due to its depressive effects. Users can experience difficulty with social relationships. A household that has an alcohol abuser is more likely to have conflict, some of which can accelerate to violence.
In addition to psychosocial influences, alcohol can have physical effects. Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on vision and hearing, and may impair motor coordination as well. It can also produce a disorder called neuropathy, which manifests with symptoms of pain, burning, and weakness of the hands and feet.
The relationship between alcohol and the nervous system is most clearly seen in prolonged use. Long-term use can damage the frontal portions of the brain and cause the size of the brain to become smaller. Chronic use leads to tolerance, addiction, and an assortment of health disorders. Wernicke's Encephalopathy is a vitamin deficiency that can develop with prolonged use. This condition is characterized by confusion, memory problems, and impaired coordination.
Another consequence of alcohol use is that it can affect the developing fetus within the womb of the mother. This condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome hinders normal brain development of the unborn child. Babies born with this disorder have smaller heads and brains, and exhibit some degree of mental retardation. They have abnormal facial features and display poor coordination and hyperactivity.
Perhaps the most pronounced association between alcohol and the nervous system can be seen in withdrawal. The abrupt cessation of alcohol consumption can cause the central nervous system to be overstimulated. Symptoms include agitation, insomnia and irritability. Those undergoing withdrawal can become very aggressive and experience mental disturbances such as hallucinations. Physical symptoms can be very serious, including fast heartbeat and seizures.
