ALCOHOL AND SAFER SEX
Alcohol is a popular social drug that many people think enhances sexuality. Illegal party drugs, such as pot, cocaine, and ecstasy, have the same reputation. Some people feel more attractive or think they have better sex when they are drinking or getting high. In reality, pot and alcohol are depressants. Used in moderate amounts, they have a tranquilizing effect. At best, they reduce the social inhibitions that could interfere with sexual restraint, but, like ecstasy, they can inhibit sexual arousal.
Alcohol affects everyone differently and tends to affect women more quickly and powerfully than men. This is believed to be due to many factors. Women have fewer enzymes to break down alcohol and less fluid content in their bodies, and they experience more complicated hormonal changes.
Alcohol should never be mixed with any other drug or medication. Long-term, heavy drinking can increase the risk for heart disease, circulatory problems, peptic ulcers, cancer, brain damage, and cirrhosis of the liver. A lot of heavy drinking can cause permanent damage physically and emotionally. Being drunk can lead to unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and date rape, as well as injuries, car accidents, and fights. It also increases the risk of suicidal behaviors that may result in death.
Even the lowest levels of alcohol consumption during a pregnancy have been known to affect the fetus. The period of highest risk occurs around the time of conception. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Children with FAS have abnormalities affecting growth, the central nervous system, and facial features. Fetal alcohol effects may also occur in the absence of FAS. Children with fetal alcohol effects have learning and behavioral problems as well as hearing and birth defects.
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