Amanda
Alcoholism is a disease that has many effects upon the body and the psyche. Alcohol is comprised mainly of ethanol, C2H5OH. When alcohol is ingested it is carried through the digestive system to the liver. One of the liver's primary functions in the body is to detoxify hazardous substances entering the body. Ethanol is toxic to the human body, and the liver's other functions are put aside while the liver works overtime detoxifying the ethanol. Ethanol is broken down by enzymes into acetaldehyde and then into acetate. Many of the major diseases associated with alcoholism, such as Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome and cerebral atrophy are actually due to nutrient loss, rather than the ingestion of alcohol. However, ethanol inhibits the absorption of many nutrients (folic acid, vitamin B-12, and zinc) which causes many of the syndromes and diseases that are attributed to alcohol consumption. Ethanol also effects the bloods clotting factors, sometimes people will develop clots, while others may develop excessive bleeding. The ultimate effects of long term alcohol consumption are highly dangerous, and the short term danger can be seen in drunk driving accidents, black outs, and alcohol poisoning. Alcohol ingestion can also cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome if a pregnant woman ingests alcohol (basically poisoning the child). Though there are many strong cultural pressures towards alcohol consumption, the effects it has on the body are so damaging it is really quite unthinkable.