Short-term Effects of Alcohol While expectations can help shape ones reaction to drinking it is clear that alcohol has its own direct effects. It is a powerful drug, capable of affecting body and behavior. The determining factor is how much ethanol is in the blood stream, because it is via the blood that alcohol is carried to the brain, nervous system, and bodily organs and systems where its direct actions take place. Alcoholic beverages differ in the concentration of ethanol they contain: beers average 4.5%, wines about 12%, and straight distilled spirits (hard liquor) approximately 40%. The effects mainly reflect the action of the alcohol as a general depressant of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Alcohol reduces the ability of neurons (nerves) to produce and transmit electrical impulses essential for the proper processing of information that comes to the brain from the skin, senses, and muscles (Lang, pp. 39-44).The general effect of alcohol is that it is a downer that reduces activity in the central nervous system. The alcohol intoxicated person exhibits loose muscle tone, loss of fine motor coordination, and often has a staggering drunken gait. The eyes may appear somewhat glossy and pupils may be slow to respond to stimulus. At high doses pupils may become constricted. At intoxicating doses, alcohol can decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure and respiratory rate, and result in decreased reflex responses and slower reaction times. Skin may be cool to the touch (but user may feel warm), profuse sweating may accompany alcohol use (Effects of Alcohol Intoxification).Alcohol causes both temporary and permanent brain injury. Areas affected include memory, problem solving, judgement, behavior, insight, understanding of pain and pleasure, coordination, and regulation of body functions. The liver may develop Fatty Liver Disease. This disease is 100% reversible with abstinence from alcoh...
