The regular use of alcoholic beverages is dangerous for the same reason that the regular use of any drug is dangerous. We are too apt to rely upon the drug to do for us what we ought to accomplish only by the hygienic conduct of life; the drug never satisfactorily does the work, and we go from bad to worse, and become its slave. But there is certainly greater danger in hypnotic drugs, like alcohol, than in true stimulants, like coffee, cocoa, and tea. We need to have ourselves well under control when we use any drug; the highest faculties of the mind must keep tight rein or we may lose control of ourselves.
With hypnotic drugs — to which class belong not only alcohol but ether, chloroform, opium, chloral, etc. — there is special danger that these powers of control (inhibition) may be stealthily paralyzed before we know it. Of course thousands of people use alcohol in moderation and never become drunkards; but thousands also, with no intention of using it to excess, do unconsciously let the reins drop, and before they know it the drug gets the better of them.
Experience shows that it is with the hypnotic drugs that this most frequently happens. Again, if we make a habit of taking alcoholic drinks, we are specially exposed to temptation from our fellow-men to go too far. For the most part, people take coffee and tea or do not take them, as they please; no one urges them to use these drinks when they are disinclined to do so.
<Callout type="warning" title="Danger of Alcohol">Continued excess may produce exaggerated forms of temporary insanity, among which delirium tremens may be mentioned. There is good reason for believing that steady drinking is very frequently an important agent in preparing the way for many other diseases.</Callout>
But with alcoholic beverages the custom of “treating” makes the exercise of self-restraint more difficult than it would otherwise be; for here we are dealing with a drug which is capable of impairing self-control. Some one “treats” a friend to a drink; the friend wishes to return the compliment, and so they drink again; the person with deficient self-control — and what little he has now lessened — insists upon a third, and so on, perhaps to intoxication.
This, of course, does not always happen; thousands are strong and escape the danger, but thousands are weak or do not know better, and many a week’s wages has gone in this way, leaving behind poverty and misery and impaired capacity before the close of Saturday night. In the foregoing pages we have stated the salient facts concerning the physiological action of alcohol and alcoholic drinks.
The only absolutely safe attitude toward alcoholic drinks is that of total abstinence from their use as beverages. The danger of the use of drugs as a regular habit of life is perhaps most painfully illustrated by what is known as the opium habit. Among the most valuable remedies at the physician’s disposal is opium or its active principle, morphine, which possesses remarkable power to produce insensibility to pain.
It sometimes happens, however, that by incautiously using this drug for this purpose men and women become addicted to the habit. They finally cannot do without the drug, and its constant use causes an appalling moral and physical degeneration; so far indeed does this often go that the victim will commit crime in order to obtain the drug.
Let the student remember that the root of the evil here, as elsewhere, is the substitution of the use of the drug for normal habits of healthful living. The physiological effects of tobacco are quite complicated, so complicated that it is difficult to make general statements with regard to them. The effects of chewing are quite different from those of smoking, and those of smoking, no doubt, vary according as the smoke is or is not drawn into the lungs (inhaled).
The leaf of tobacco contains a poison, nicotine, which exerts a powerful action on the heart and on nerve cells. It is not proved that the bad effects of the use of tobacco are due entirely or even chiefly to this substance; but it unquestionably contributes to the physiological effects.
<Callout type="important" title="Tobacco Use">Human experience shows that the unwise use of tobacco may unfavorably affect digestion, cause serious disorders of the heart, and impair the work of the nervous system.</Callout>
Those training for athletic events are usually forbidden the use of tobacco because it “takes the wind,” i.e., makes impossible the most efficient training of the heart. Many employers have found that youths who smoke cigarettes are less reliable in their work; and this is only one instance of the effect upon the nervous system already referred to, the same result being observed in a diminished steadiness of the hand, often amounting to actual tremor.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol and tobacco can lead to serious health issues if used excessively or habitually.
- The regular use of alcoholic beverages is dangerous due to the potential for addiction and impaired self-control.
- Tobacco use can negatively impact digestion, heart function, and nervous system performance.
Practical Tips
- Maintain strict control over your alcohol consumption to avoid developing a dependency or engaging in risky behavior.
- Avoid tobacco products to preserve digestive health, cardiac function, and mental acuity.
- Practice self-restraint when offered alcoholic beverages by friends or colleagues to prevent excessive drinking.
Warnings & Risks
- Continued use of alcohol can lead to temporary insanity such as delirium tremens and other severe health issues.
- The habit of smoking tobacco may cause significant harm to the heart, nervous system, and overall physical well-being.
Modern Application
While this chapter's insights on the dangers of alcohol and tobacco are over a century old, they remain highly relevant today. The historical emphasis on self-control and moderation in drug use is echoed by modern health guidelines. Understanding these risks can help individuals make informed decisions about their lifestyle choices to maintain optimal health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the potential consequences of excessive alcohol consumption?
Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to temporary insanity, such as delirium tremens, and is often an important agent in preparing the way for many other diseases.
Q: Why is tobacco use discouraged during athletic training?
Tobacco use is discouraged during athletic training because it 'takes the wind,' making impossible the most efficient training of the heart. This can impair physical performance and overall fitness levels.
Q: What are some complications associated with habitual opium or morphine use?
Habitual use of opium or morphine can cause an appalling moral and physical degeneration, leading to crime in order to obtain the drug. The constant use of these drugs causes significant harm to both mental and physical health.