Alcohol has restraining effects on the immune system which may result to the increase of infection for alcoholics. (Stainback, 1997). Studies suggest that alcohol impairs the immune system which may result to the increased rates of some cancers. It also affects the functions of the cells that are responsible for the protection of the body against microorganisms as a result alcoholics are more susceptible on diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia that are brought about by bacterial infections.
(Szabo, 1997). Moreover, researches link the use of alcohol in the increased risk for the progression and contracting of the human immunodeficiency virus (Alcohol consumption linked to HIV disease progression, study shows). Reproductive System Adverse effects of alcohol consumption on the male reproductive system may develop directly or indirectly. The function of the reproductive system is dependent on the activities of the endocrine glands and hormones.
The abnormalities in the endocrine hormone severely change the function of the male reproductive system and the failure of the gonadal function were often associated with alcoholic liver diseases. (Cited in Van Thiel et al, 1981; Van Thiel, 1983). Furthermore, the study of Master and Johnson on sexual inadequacy suggest that impotence is the result of excessive alcohol consumption. Since alcohol can damage the central nervous system by destorying the brain cells, irreversible sexual impotence could be the complication of this damage. This may happen even if a man is sober.
Long periods of heavy drinking can destroy the testicular cells of men which results to the shrinking of testicles, when this happens both the sexual drive and sexual capacity are also affected. Even an intake of small amount of alcoholic beverages before sex can lead to loss of sexual control or premature ejaculation and can spoil man’s erection. It was assumed that up to 80 percent of men who drink heavily may suffer from serious sexual side effects. (Flatto, 1990). Neuro-psychological and societal effects According to Miller et al.
(1994) the brain is vulnerable to alcohol and in the long run heavy drinkers may develop brain impairment. Some of the damages in the brain occur gradually. It was also noted that actual shrinkage of the brain and changes in the shape and density were seen in the x-rays in the later stages of the damage. He even noted in his manual that before the occurrence of the damage in the brain itself, the impairment in the function of the brain is first seen and it can be measured through psychological tests. Since alcohol dulls the brain, its capacity for proper self criticism and caution is also affected.
(Lancaster, 2006). The loss of control over ones self when drinking can lead to trouble, arguments and fights. Alcohol also tolerate men or even women under its influence to do embarrasing things to themselves and other people. Social difficulties are also possible like problems at work or school and even conflicts with the law. (Miller et al. , 1994). Alcohol misuse can promote social and psychological disruption that are hard to measure. Suicide Some people use alcohol as an escape to life’s problems and this may lead to difficulties that impair the ability of a persons proper judgment.
Alcohol intake can amplify a persons emotions in either a positive or negative way depending on the level of its consumption. Most of the heavy drinkers are in great risk of developing anxiety and depression making a strong link between alcohol and suicide. It was found out that 70 percent of alcohol related death by suicide are accounted to males than females. (Alcohol and mental health). In addition higer suicide rates are more specific men who are in the group of veterans, divorced men and homosexual teenagers due to the substance abuse. (Atav et al. , 2003). Drunk driving
Based from the Dui Fact Book by George Ryan (1991), every 24 minutes a person is killed in an alcohol-related crash and annually 22,000 peoples lives are taken due to alcohol-related crashes. In 1990 alone, injuries in relation to drunk driving reached to almost 355,000 according to the reports of the police in the USA, averaging to one injury per 1 ? minutes. Crime and violence Alcohol related crime and violence are also prevalent. From the findings of BCS in 1999, about 1. 2 million incidents of violence and crime were recorded were in the victims identified the perpetrators to be under the influence of alcohol (McSweeny and Hough, 2005).
In 2003, the crime and justice survey (Cited in Budd and Sharp, 2005) in England and Wales, participated by 12,000 people ranging from the age of 10-65, confirmed that most of the young people, the males in particular were held liable for the unrelative number of crimes. Alcohol was the most prominent factor for the offender to commit the crime compared to drug use. Furthemore the misuse of alcohol is accounted for 60% of parasuicides, 40% cases of domestic violence, 20% cases of child abuse and 39% of deaths in fire.
(Marmot, 1995). According to Bancroft (2003), alcohol allows offenders to have the freedom to act on what they desire, as a result they become more insulting and intimidating because he feels that he is apt to do so therefore, the offender has the tendency to claim that he totally forgot the whole incident the following day and make the alcohol as an excuse knowing that the people around him including the judges in the court to believe him. Courts are condoning to offenders who blame their violence on their drinking problems.
Based from the results drawn from the research it is evident that alcohol consumption are more prevalent on men than women. The consumption of alcohol may bring about certain effects that vary depending on the drinking patterns of men. Most of the positive effects of alcohol are more accounted to moderate drinking while the negative effects are affiliated with its misuse and abuse. Although alcohol may be beneficial when taken into moderation it is apparent that the negative effects of alcohol overshadow its benefits and it is imperative to take these things into consideration before engaging in the activity.
The research also suggest that comprehensive studies in some points are still needed to be taken in order to give further knowledge on the negative and positive effects of alcohol consumption for the results that were framed in the research were limited in some areas.
References Books:
Bancroft, L. (2003). Why Does He Do That? : Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men. California:Berkley Books Dawson, D. A. , Grant, B. F. & Chou, P. S. (1996). Gender differences in alcohol intake. Stress, gender and alcohol seeking behavior Hunt, W. A. , Zakhari, S. (Eds). Bethesda, MD: Diane Publishing.