By the time this paper has been read approximately twenty-five people will be seriously injured in an alcohol-related accident. Alcohol is a very harmful in many ways if abused. The following is just a few of the many ways it can be detrimental to one’s health.In 1994 a survey was taken among one hundred and forty nationwide college campuses. Of the students surveyed, forty-four percent were binge drinkers (four or five drinks in one setting). Nineteen percent were frequent binge drinkers. Of these students who claim to be binge drinkers, forty-seven percent experienced five or more drinking related problems including injuries and unplanned sex. Students who are not binge drinkers at schools with higher binge rates were more likely than students at schools with low binge rates to experience problems such as being pushed, hit, assaulted, or experiencing unwanted sexual advance. Between ten and twenty percent of total health care costs can be attributed to alcohol-related health problems. About twenty to forty percent of all patients admitted to medical, surgical, and psychiatric wards have disorders related to substance abuse.Alcohol should never be mixed with medications of any kind. One problem with this is that alcohol decreases the effectiveness of medications. There are also many unwanted side effects that occur when alcohol and medication interact. Some of these side effects include excessive drowsiness, impaired coordination, stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting. It is also important to remember that alcohol is a sedative and will strengthen the effects of any medication containing a sedative.About two hundred thousand deaths per year can be attributed to drinking. Alcoholism itself reduces life expectancy by ten to twelve years. Between twenty and thirty-five percent of suicide victims have had a history of alcohol abuse or had been drinking shortly before their suicides.Alcohol can kill in many different ...
