Cam42 Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 I posit that alcohol is a drug. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, slowing down messages to and from the brain. Alcohol affects your reactions, coordination and your mind. If you have ever seen a person who has had too much to drink, you know that alcohol is a drug that has widespread effects on the body, and the effects vary from person to person. People who drink might be the "life of the party" or they might become sad and droopy. Their speech may slur and they may have trouble walking. It all depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, a person's history with alcohol and a person's personality. Even though you have seen the physical and behavioral changes, you might wonder exactly how alcohol works on the body to produce those effects. What is alcohol? How does the body process it? How does the chemistry of alcohol work on the chemistry of the brain? The cerebral cortex is the highest portion of the brain. The cortex processes information from your senses, does your "thought" processing and consciousness (in combination with a structure called the basal ganglia), initiates most voluntary muscle movements and influences lower-order brain centers. In the cortex, alcohol does the following: 1. Depresses the behavioral inhibitory centers - The person becomes more talkative, more self-confident and less socially inhibited. 2. Slows down the processing of information from the senses - The person has trouble seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting; also, the threshold for pain is raised. 3. Inhibits thought processes - The person does not use good judgement or think clearly. These effects get more pronounced as the BAC increases. The limbic system consists of areas of the brain called the hippocampus and septal area. The limbic system controls emotions and memory. As alcohol affects this system, the person is subject to exaggerated states of emotion (anger, aggressiveness, withdrawal) and memory loss. If you have seen someone who has had too much to drink, you've probably noticed definite changes in that person's performance and behavior. The body responds to alcohol in stages, which correspond to an increase in BAC: 1. Euphoria (BAC = 0.03 to 0.12 percent) They become more self-confident or daring. Their attention span shortens. They may look flushed. Their judgement is not as good -- they may say the first thought that comes to mind, rather than an appropriate comment for the given situation. They have trouble with fine movements, such as writing or signing their name. 2. Excitement (BAC = 0.09 to 0.25 percent) They become sleepy. They have trouble understanding or remembering things (even recent events). They do not react to situations as quickly (if they spill a drink they may just stare at it). Their body movements are uncoordinated. They begin to lose their balance easily. Their vision becomes blurry. They may have trouble sensing things (hearing, tasting, feeling, etc.). 3. Confusion (BAC = 0.18 to 0.30 percent) They are confused -- might not know where they are or what they are doing. They are dizzy and may stagger. They may be highly emotional -- aggressive, withdrawn or overly affectionate. They cannot see clearly. They are sleepy. They have slurred speech. They have uncoordinated movements (trouble catching an object thrown to them). They may not feel pain as readily as a sober person. 4. Stupor (BAC = 0.25 to 0.4 percent) They can barely move at all. They cannot respond to stimuli. They cannot stand or walk. They may vomit. They may lapse in and out of consciousness. 5. Coma (BAC = 0.35 to 0.50 percent) They are unconscious. Their reflexes are depressed (i.e. their pupils do not respond appropriately to changes in light). They feel cool (lower-than-normal body temperature). Their breathing is slower and more shallow. Their heart rate may slow. They may die. 6. Death (BAC more than 0.50 percent) - The person usually stops breathing and dies. Is alcohol a drug. Undoubtedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 I'd say so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extra ecclesiam nulla salus Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 who said it wasn't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddieloudog Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 a drug is something taken in to cause a desired effect, right? in as much, Alcohol is a drug. So is coffee and maybe sugar and maybe chocolate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Without a doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Ergo, Jesus was a drug user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddieloudog Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 the material world isn't evil, but our abuse of it is ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 [quote name='Era Might' date='Dec 11 2005, 07:08 PM']Ergo, Jesus was a drug user. [right][snapback]820871[/snapback][/right] [/quote] So is anyone who pops and asprin (tm) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 [quote name='homeschoolmom' date='Dec 11 2005, 09:12 PM']So is anyone who pops and asprin (tm) [right][snapback]820875[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Ergo, my grandfather is a drug user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 yes, it is a drug and overuse of it is an abuse. caffeine is also a drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 Just because it is a drug doesn't mean it can't be properly consumed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 What's the debate?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam42 Posted December 12, 2005 Author Share Posted December 12, 2005 [quote name='Sojourner' date='Dec 11 2005, 09:14 PM']Just because it is a drug doesn't mean it can't be properly consumed. [right][snapback]820879[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Correct, if one is of legal age to consume said drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted December 12, 2005 Share Posted December 12, 2005 (edited) I wonder if Jesus would smoke a pipe if he were born today. Cigarettes? Cigars? Edited December 12, 2005 by Era Might Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam42 Posted December 12, 2005 Author Share Posted December 12, 2005 [quote name='Aloysius' date='Dec 11 2005, 09:13 PM']yes, it is a drug and overuse of it is an abuse. caffeine is also a drug. [right][snapback]820877[/snapback][/right] [/quote] [quote name='Aloysius']Oh yes, I suppose I have a few questions to answer. But I can't even get a simple question answered about whether alcohol could fit in the CCC's definition of 'drugs' because it would be over my head...[/quote] Thank you. Alcohol is considered a drug, even in the Catechism. But caffiene is not an illegal drug for someone under the age of 21. Now is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts