Series: Shining a light on drugs – Episode 2: Alcohol
Former addict and owner of Wings of Inspiration Sober House takes a look at drugs, and how they affect a person’s mind, body and soul negatively. Episode 2 is about alcohol.
The Herald recently spoke to Anthea Da Costa from Eikepark about the dangers of drugs.
Anthea, who has owned the Wings of Inspiration Sober House in Helderkruin for the past four years, has researched multiple drugs, their effects and how they affect a person’s mind, body and soul negatively.
The second drug that we are going to discuss in this series is alcohol.
According to Anthea, alcohol depresses your central nervous system, lowers inhibitions and impairs judgement. The side effects of consuming alcohol include a loss of coordination, distorted vision and blackouts.
“Drinking large amounts can lead to a person falling into a coma, as well as death. It is also extremely dangerous to mix alcohol with medicines,” said Anthea.
“Alcohol has both short- and long-term effects. Short-term effects may include a feeling of warmth, slurred speech, impaired judgement as well as a lack of coordination. Long-term effects include liver damage, risks of heart disease and withdrawal symptoms if alcohol consumption stops suddenly.
“This leads to jumpiness, sleeplessness, poor appetite and sometimes death. Alcohol can also lead to violence and conflicts in one’s life,” Anthea said.
