Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person's ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, much lower doses of alcohol will produce the effects just described. Sudden cessation of alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions.
Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening.
These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other youngsters of becoming alcoholics. The Community Counseling Center, located in Cape Girardeau, provides counseling and educational programs. This list is not exhaustive, and referral may be made to other agencies, as well as to physicians, and other professional counselors. For more information, contact the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education, 1st floor, Crisp Hall, room 101, 651-2270.