Alcohol

Research Paper # 94962

Chemistry
Psychology > Alcohol and Drugs
Psychology > Behaviorism

Alcohol

A description of the uses of alcohol and the way that alcohol consumption can be abused and affect one's life.

3,895 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper presents a discussion into the properties and uses of alcohol. It begins by describing what alcohol is made of and then goes on to discuss the long-term and short-term effects of alcohol on the body. The paper includes a discussion on the effects of alcohol on one's social life, particularly the phenomenon of college drinking and also of the dangers of drinking and driving.

From the Paper:

"Alcohol, also know as ethanol or CH3-CH2-OH, is a clear, odorless, intoxicating element found in beer (12oz), wine (4oz), and spirits (1 ounce of 100 proof spirit). The use of alcohol can be traced back thousands of years, as early as 10,000 BC. Although typically used for social purposes, alcohol is a dangerous drug that is commonly misused and even abused in many peoples' lives around the world. "Multiple neurotransmitter systems play a role in mediating the behavioral effects of alcohol that have been linked to its abuse and dependence" ( Sellers/Tomkins), these neurotransmitter systems are responsible for expression of emotions, reaction times, and planning and judgment. This central nervous system depressant has the potential to cause many problems not only to the individual using the substance but also to their friends and family members. Through a process called fermentation, alcohol is produced from sugars that go through the action of yeasts. From there, pure alcohol can come in a variety of forms: however, its effects are, for the most part, very similar but slightly different for everyone. Some factors for this fact may be: a person's individual tolerance or experience drinking, body weight, sex, and metabolism rate (that is significantly affected by one's age). These factors determine their BAC, or blood alcohol concentration in one's blood. The higher the BAC, the higher the potential dangers of this drug can be."

Sample of Sources Used:

Burke, Christina, Lisa Caldwell, and Susan F. Tapert. "Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain--- Human Studies." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. National Institutes of Health.
Foege, W.H., and J.M. McGinnis. "Actual Causes of Death in the United States." The Journal of American Medical Association. US Department of Heath and Human Service. Washington, DC.
Leonard, Kenneth E. and Brian M. Quigley. "Alcohol Use and Violence Among Young Adults. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. National Institutes of Health.
Marinkovic, Ksenija and Marlene Oscar-Berman. "Alcoholism and the Brain." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. National Institutes of Health.
Sayette, Michael A. "Does Drinking Reduce Stress?" Alcohol Alert. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Rockville, MD.