How to Quit Smoking, Drinking and Prevent Obesity (While Watching the Simpsons)

There are several short-term complications to Homer's health as a result of his actions. Binge drinking results in acute toxication. This can impair his decision-making abilities, causing him to perform dangerous tasks which may put his life at risk and in life-threatening situations. Common effects of binge drinking episodes are headaches, nausea, shakiness and vomiting. “Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive, or mood- changing, recreational drug in Australia” (World Drink Trends 1998).

Alcohol affects the brain immediately from the first sip, in the following way:

1. After a few drinks, he will feel happy and relaxed but will have less concentration, slower reflexes as his “reaction times are slowed dramatically” (The Nemours Foundation 2007). He loses the ability to handle complex problems.
   1. A few more drinks build up more confidence. Fewer inhibitions, less coordination, slurred speech and intense mood swings.
   2. A few more drinks, Homer will experience confusion, blurred vision, possibly aggression and lack of precise control over muscles making him susceptible to flawed, poor decisions
   3. After a few more drinks after that, the alcohol reaches the cellebrum. In turn, Homer will suffer from nausea, violent vomiting, difficulty breathing, extreme sleepiness, dangerously low blood sugar levels and seizures.
   4. If Homer continues, the alcohol will eventually reach the medulla (inner core of the brain). Homer will pass out and in series cases, coma, unconsciousness and death may result. “Beer, beer, beer, bed, bed, bed” (Homer Simpson).

Alcohol will also take a toll on his driving skills.

• “No one drives as well as usual after drinking alcohol, even though some people may look and act as though they are unaffected. Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects most areas of the brain” (RTA 2006).
• Homer's brain functions slows down and will not be able to respond to situations or make decisions quickly and his ability to judge how fast he is moving or his distance from other cars, people and objects will be impaired significantly. “Alcohol seriously impairs a driver's judgment, coordination and reactions” (Youth Net UK 2007).
• Gain false confidence and will make greater risks because he thinks his driving is better than it really is

Homer has been drinking alcohol for a number of years and it has definitely had a negative effect. The long-term effects of drinking are -

• By drink alcohol just once or twice a week, ageing is promoted. Alcohol contains non-nutritiousness calories that accumulate. Hence, “you tend to be undernourished, making your hair dry, giving you cracked lips, aggravating acne, making your eyes look glassy, and giving your skin a puffy, broken vein look” (Bigsby 1996).
• The gastrointestinal tract is irritated by alcohol as it increases acid production in the stomach which forms ulcers and causes heartburn. There has also been research linking alcohol to cancers of the mouth, intestines, stomach and oesophagus. However, the liver will experience the most effect of alcohol. Liver breaks down the alcohol and so “almost all ingested alcohol is metabolized in the liver and excessive alcohol use can lead to acute and chronic liver disease” (Worman 1998). So, alcohol destroys liver cells, promoting swelling and making Homer susceptible to cirrhosis, Hepatitis and liver caner.
• Alcohol decreases male testosterone levels. Although it may increase sexual desires, it reduces performance levels and there has been studies confirming that alcohol causes harm to unborn children.
• Muscles - Homer's muscles will be much weaker and he will lose a lot of muscle tissue
• Alcohol is also damaging to the heart. It can lead to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and stroke. “Heavy drinking puts more fat into the circulation in your body, raising your triglyceride level” (Women's Heart Foundation n.d.).
• Suppresses the immune system, increases risk of breast cancer, constipation and kidney stones and diseases

Homer can improve his health radically by reducing his consumption of alcohol. He could replace alcohol with healthier alternatives such as water, orange juice or milk. He will drink much faster if he is thirsty, so he should have a non-alcoholic drink to quench his thirst before he starts drinking alcohol. This will make him drink less alcohol. Instead of taking large gulps of beer, he should instead take tiny sips. Homer could also eat while drinking as eating will dramatically slow his drinking pace and alcohol will be absorbed at a more gradual rate. Salty foods should be avoided as they will make him much thirstier, causing him to drink more.

Homer should drink in moderation - not more than twice a week. He should buy the drink himself so that he can keep an accurate count of how much he has had to drink and keep a record on his consumption levels to ensure that he does not exceed the standard drink. He should also consider having alcohol free days at least four days a week in which he does not drink alcohol. Homer should constantly keep himself busy and have a source of entertainment to put his mind of drinking, for example playing pool or a sport. He should be able to withstand the pressure from friends when offered to drink alcohol - remain strong and persistent and not succumb to "peer pressure".