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FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL Alcohol is the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages. Chemically speaking, it's C2, H5, OH (ethyl alcohol)... a colorless liquid with a sharp burning taste. Medically speaking, it's a depressant drug that slows the activity of the brain. Alcohol is the most abused drug in the U.S. today and it comes in many forms. Each of these drinks has about the same alcohol content: 12oz beer, 5oz wine, one and a half ounces of whiskey. Alcohol effects the body when it enters the bloodstream and gets circulated throughout the body. It quickly reaches the brain and affects control centers, causing intoxication. Balance, coordination and judgement suffer, reactions slow and behavior may change. Continued drinking can lead to unconsciousness or even death. It takes the body about one hour to burn off 1 average drink and so-called remedies such as black coffee, cold showers, and fresh air have no effect on blood alcohol content. Approximately 40% of all highway deaths are alcohol related (about 17,000 each year) with most of the deaths being young people. Millions of people are arrested each year because of alcohol-related crimes, fights and homicides. Alcohol is a contributing factor in lost workdays, domestic violence and suicide. Alcoholism is a chemical dependency that effects 1 in 10 drinkers. It is characterized by the uncontrolled use of alcohol. People suffering from this disease often deny the indicators until their mental and physical health deteriorates to the point where they're a danger to themselves and others. Once these people admit they have a problem, alcoholism can be treated with great success. The best way to approach alcohol is to never get around it! |
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| ©2007 Specialized Fitness & Nutrition, Inc. |
