Alcohol
Alcohol - a social drug?
By Kristi Richardson, Dr Bridget Hsu-Hage
Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia (2). Oftentimes alcohol is not perceived as a drug, most likely because it is widely used and socially acceptable.
A recent survey commisioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (3) found that alcohol use was of particular concern in teenagers and young people (up to the age of 25). It was perceived that young adults are more likely to engage in unhealthy drinking behaviours because they frequent enviroments that encourage heavy alcohol consumption (eg: pubs, parties, nightclubs).
In the survey, young adults (18-24 years) described alcohol as a catalyst for social gatherings.
The survey also found that compared with 10 years ago (1988), less young people were drinking alcohol, (77 per cent down to 71 per cent in 1998), but of those who were drinking, they were drinking more (3). Heavy consumption of alcohol on a regular basis, or sporadically ("binge" drinking) has several health implications that will be discussed.
Physiological effects
Alcohol is a depressant that suppresses central nervous system activity. Small doses of alcohol makes people feel more relaxed and uninhibited, but in larger doses, alcohol can affect concentration, co-ordination and response times Drinking excess alcohol may also cause headaches, nausea and weight gain.
Health implications
Research has indicated that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol may reduce the risk of individuals contracting certain types of heart disease, however, the relationship between alcohol intake and risk of heart disease has been described as a "U" shaped curve.That is, that heavy drinkers have a higher rate of mortality from heart disease than moderate drinkers, and moderate drinkers have a lower mortality rate than those who do not drink. Research into why alcohol appears to demonstrate a protective effect against heart disease is inconclusive (5).
However, women who drink alcohol are at higher risk of developing breast cancer (6,2) and gynaecological problems (2). It is important to remember that higher intakes of alcohol has been associated with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and certain types of cancer (2), and a vast number of other health problems.
Cardiovascular system
- raised blood pressure
- damage to heart muscle
- stroke
- haemorrhage
Gastrointestinal system
- gastritis
- stomach bleeding
- pancreatitus
Nervous system
- brain damage
- Werknicke's encephalopathy
- dementia
- nerve damage
Liver
- fatty changes
- hepatitis
- cirrhosis and liver failure
- liver cancer
Endocrine system
- excess cortisol
- problems controlling blood
- glucose
- loss of libido
- reduced fertility
Nutrition
- malnutrition
- obesity
Alcohol in pregnancy
It is widely documented that women who drink alcohol during pregnancy are at higher risk of giving birth to babies that are smaller, premature and may have abnormalities including Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (2,10,11,12). NHMRC recommendations promote abstaining from alcohol entirely during pregnancy (13). There is inconclusive evidence to suggest that even low risk levels of drinking (two standard drinks per day for women) has the potential to harm the foetus (5).
Risk levels
It should be noted that no specific level or pattern of drinking alcohol should be considered safe.
Binge drinking can be particularly harmful to the body. Immediate effects of excessive alcohol consumption include impaired coordination, judgement, self-control and reaction times. The health implications of excessive alcohol intake have been previously discussed.
Source: (Ball M. Alcohol and alcohol related diseases. Chp 39 in Wahlqvist ML, Food and Nutrition, Allen and Unwin, 1997 (7) Nutritional effects Alcohol drunk to excess may have significant affects on nutritional status. Alcohol in small amounts, stimulates the appetite, conversely, alcohol in large amounts, suppresses the appetite (7). Nutrient deficiencies can arise if alcohol displaces food as the body's fuel source (8). This includes deficiencies of fat soluble vitamins (ADE & K), vitamin C (8), vitamin B (folate and thiamine, pyridoxine) and zinc (9).
Presently, little is known about the effects of moderate alcohol consumption and micronutrient status (9).
