Can Alcohol Beverages Completely Destroy the Human Brain?
The rates of consumption of alcohol across the globe have increased over the years. Research identifies that nations around the world are recording increased numbers of citizens that are admitted to rehabilitation centers. One of the major factors that promote increased consumption rates of alcohol within the society is the fact that in most countries, the substance has been legalized. Hence, the drug is easily accessible to individuals, and in nations with weak administrative systems, under-age individuals form a considerable percentage of alcohol consumption rates. Statistics from high schools and universities identify that more than 75% of students have taken alcohol at some point in their lives (Washton, and Zweben 64). Such individuals are likely to develop addiction problems in their adulthood. Male youths and adults are the most victims of excessive drinking as compared to females.
Challenges Associated with Alcohol Consumption
Numerous challenges have been associated with the consumption of alcohol. According to a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 4 million deaths caused by the use of alcohol annually across the globe. Further, the drink has been associated with health problems such as heart disease, increase in blood pressure, kidney disease and stroke (Noronha, et al. 156). Other societal issues include addiction, increased tendency to cause violence, unwanted pregnancies, transmission of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) as well as increased rates of road accidents. Recent discoveries have also identified that alcohol is likely to cause permanent brain damage (Svanberg, 108). The issue has been the center of discussions in the past decade. Different scientists have developed different perspectives concerning the topic. This work focuses on identifying whether alcohol consumption is likely to promote brain damage.
Evidence of Alcohol's Ability to Cause Brain Damage
Yes. The consumption of alcohol is likely to cause permanent brain damage. Even though different researchers have established different views concerning the ability of the drug to promote brain damage, most of the researchers have identified that the excessive consumption of alcohol is likely to cause permanent head damage (Turkington, "Harris 13). There is enough evidence supporting the capability of alcohol to destroy the human brain. According to Turkington, "Harris (14), the consumption of alcohol has been associated with slurred speech, clumsiness and delayed reflexes. Each of the effects is related to the disruption of the normal functioning of the brain. One of the significant evidence on the ability of alcohol to cause brain damage lies in the chemical nature of the beverage. Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, can cause the impairment of the brain cells and the nervous system (Tusaie, and Fitzpatrick 437). Its chemical nature makes it suitable as an antiseptic for both domestic and industrial purposes. Hence, it can have adverse effects on human cells. However, some studies have identified that even where alcohol comes into direct contact with brain cells, it is not likely to cause direct effects on the brain. In the incidences where individuals consume alcohol excessively, the liver is unable to break down the excess alcohol into water and carbon dioxide (Tusaie, and Fitzpatrick 437). Hence, the excess alcohol flows throughout the body until it is processed. When the substance reaches the brain, it inhibits communication between dendrites. As a result, cognitive impairment kicks in. The elements are integral to enhancing the transmission of information between neurons. Hence, the consumption of alcohol increases the chances of an alcoholic developing permanent brain damage (Noronha, et al. 292). Besides, Dasgupta (51) identifies that “chronic exposure to high amounts of alcohol that are ingested during binge drinking leads to the simulation of N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA) and calcium receptors, which results in increased release of glucocorticoids”. The stress molecules affect carbohydrate metabolism and are associated with brain damage.
Further evidence on the ability of alcohol to cause brain damage is related to the Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. The condition is common among chronic alcoholics, and recent discoveries have identified that the syndrome has been associated with problems such as confusion, eye paralysis and loss of memory (Tusaie, and Fitzpatrick 437). Alcohol consumption does not cause direct damage to the brain, but it causes a deficiency of thiamine, which consequently causes the death of neurons. With continued consumption of alcohol, acute deficiencies of thiamine cause total brain damage. If untreated, it causes death or coma. Also, damage to the brain among alcoholics can be explained with the Alzheimer's disease. Turkington, "Harris (17) identifies that the condition is among the common problems that are as a result of the brain impairment. The state is mainly characterized by irreversible memory loss, speech problems, and a reduced intellectual ability of an individual. The condition affects nearly 5 million Americans who are mostly above 60 years. Further, the disease “is the fourth leading cause of death among the elderly” Turkington, "Harris (16). The adversity of its effects on the brain is intense, and in most cases, the conditions are irreversible among individuals that fail to seek assistance at the right time.
Factors Influencing Alcohol's Damage to the Brain
The extent to which the brain can be damaged due to alcohol intake varies. Individuals that consume excess volumes of alcohol stand at a higher chance of ruining their brain as compared to those that take a bottle or a glass of alcohol daily. The rates of brain damage become even more severe especially due to the problem of addiction (Washton, and Zweben 64). The continued disruption of the dendrites may cause permanency in their malfunction and a complete distortion of their structure. Additionally, damage to the brain cells has been associated with the duration that a person has been drinking, prenatal exposure to alcohol and an individual's health wellbeing. The factors inhibit neurogenesis. Retarded formation of new brain cells reduces the brain’s coordination since impaired cells cannot take over the function of those that are malfunctioning. Additionally, Dasgupta (51) identifies that the levels of brain damage are affected by the gender of alcohol consumers. Females are more susceptible to brain damage as compared to male alcoholics. Adolescents are also at a higher chance of suffering permanent damage especially if they are exposed to alcohol at a very young age. Finally, the ability of alcohol to cause total damage to the brain has been associated with the illegal production of the substance. Some products usually have levels of alcohol that are unfit for human consumption. As a result, unsuspecting customers may suffer brain damage even with a single consumption of the product.
However, some researchers have identified that it is a myth for individuals to experience permanent head damage especially since it is not the brain cells that are damaged but the dendrites. The branch-like ends of the brain cells can be repaired through the development of new ones. Further, the idea that brain cells are likely to be damaged as a result of alcohol consumption has been dismissed because the levels of alcohol required to cause the death of the brain cells are too high that it would even cause the demise of the drug abuser. Further, with recent developments in medical procedures and technologies, the challenge can be rectified, and individuals regain their normal mental condition gradually. Appropriate therapies, medication, and training programs have been identified as practical solutions to brain damage Dasgupta (51). Hence, there are chances that brain damage can be contained in cases where individuals seek the right intervention methods before damage on the dendrites becomes advanced. The information is however misleading as more cases of brain damage are reported on a daily basis to recognized bodies within nations. It is essential that adequate research is established so that a clear relationship between alcohol abuse and brain damage is determined.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a high relationship between alcoholism and brain damage. The substance mainly affects the performance of dendrites, contrary to the common belief that it kills the brain cells. The level of disruption and alteration of the functionality and the structure of the dendrites depends on different factors such as the rate of alcohol consumption, duration, and the gender of the abuser. With the recent discoveries and improvements in tackling brain damage, it has been identified that if brain damage is detected before it advances into complicated stages, permanent brain damage can be avoided. Individuals are encouraged to reduce the consumption of the substance, and where possible to abstain from the habit. Family members, as well as friends, are encouraged to create a conducive environment that facilitates a healing process for alcoholics.
Work cited
Dasgupta, Amitava. The science of drinking: how alcohol affects your body and mind. Rowman " Littlefield Publishers, 2011.
Noronha, Antonio, et al., eds. Neurobiology of alcohol dependence. Elsevier, 2014.
Svanberg, Jenny, et al., eds. Alcohol and the Adult Brain. Psychology Press, 2014.
Tusaie, Kathleen R., and Joyce J. Fitzpatrick, eds. Advanced practice psychiatric nursing: Integrating psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and complementary and alternative approaches. Springer Publishing Company, 2012.
Turkington, Carol, and Joseph Harris. The encyclopedia of the brain and brain disorders. Infobase Publishing, 2010.
Washton, Arnold M., and Joan E. Zweben. Treating alcohol and drug problems in psychotherapy practice: Doing what works. Guilford Press, 2011.
