|
Alcohol and Performance
From the book . . . Under The Influence, by Dr. James R Milam & Katherine Ketchum
In This early, hidden stage of Alcoholism, the only visible difference between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic is improved performance in the alcoholic when he drinks and deterioration in performance when he stops drinking. His improved performance is the result of ****bolic and tissue tolerance to alcohol’s effects as mentioned in the previous section. The chart below illustrates the dramatic differences in physiological functioning between alcoholics and non alcoholics when they drink and then stop drinking.
When the typical nonalcoholic drinks, his physical and psycholical functioning improve with approximately ˝ oz to 1oz alcohol. He experiences feeling of euphoria, relaxation, and well-being. His performance is slightly better than normal. Concentration, memory, attention spam, creative thinking, are all improved with an ounce or less of alcohol.
The stimulating and energizing effects of a small amount of alcohol are offset, however, by the sedative effects brought on by additional drinking, and the non alcoholic’s performance soon fall below the normal level. If the non alcoholic continues to drink, his Blood Alcohohol Level . . . BAL . . . rises even higher, and his behavior rapidly deteriorates. He slurs his words, has difficulty walking, and his memory and thinking abilities gradually worsen. When the nonalcoholic stops drinking, his BAL slowly descends toward normal, and his behavior also gradually returns to normal.
Something completely different happens when the early-stage alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic in the early, adaptive stage of their disease also show improvement of functioning as the blood alcohol level begins to rise. But unlike the nonalcoholic, this improvement continues with additional drinking. Even when blood alcohol remains at fairly high levels – levels which would overwhelm the nonalcoholic, causing him to stumble, stutter, and sway – the early alcoholic is often able to talk coherently, walk a straight line, or skillfully maneuver a car (4). Only when the alcoholic stops drinking and his BAL descends, does his performance deteriornates—and it does so very rapidly.
__________________
...And he was finally accepted. Airborne ? He was 38 years old. Why would he do that ? 1966 he joined the Special forces, returns to Vietnam ..."
| 
