The word "alcohol" has different connotations or meanings. Some scientists would call alcohol a "drug;" while others would refer to it as an "addiction." Still, there are those who would consider alcoholism as a "bad habit, " and a matter of consequence due to external and internal pressures. Many call it as "alcoholism", an incurable progressive mental and physical disease. The mentioned meanings and inferences are related primarily because alcohol can and do cause an addiction to it over time, which subsequently leads to the so-called disease "Alcoholism." Sadly, the person who ultimately gets addicted to alcohol is labeled as an "alcoholic". But while each term has its own distinct meaning, each is related just for one reason: because of the way people drink.

In the Philippines, the categorical statement that says almost all drink alcohol or beer could well have a basis, but it would be more correct to assume that while Filipinos are known to be alcohol drinkers, many drink moderately; while others drink, well, drink excessively as if there is no tomorrow coming. In a sweep, they would be the two extreme types of alcohol drinkers. But there are other different types of drinkers that may either have developed addiction to alcohol or are already alcoholics of varying types, as can be observed from their uncontrollable drinking patterns.

• TOTAL ABSTAINERS are those who never drink any alcoholic beverages under any conditions at all, ever.

• SOCIAL & RELIGIOUS DRINKERS drink only during social occasions like weddings, cocktails, reunions, parties, in restaurants and in other venues when there is an alcohol beverage provided, which could either come with the meals or not. There are also those who drink to observe religious occasions. These types of drinkers are restrained and moderate in their way of drinking, so they do not experience any serious consequences on any level.

• EXCESSIVE RANDOM DRINKERS are those who, by now have developed a habit of drinking excessively whatever the social event, occasion or situation. Often, they drink excessively during the holidays or when there’s a moment for celebration, which could be any day at all. These type of alcohol drinkers do not manifest signs of physical deterioration due to excessive drinking but because of their unbridled, on-the-spur way of drinking, they are likely candidates to possible disastrous consequences - a higher probability to road accidents, fights, hangovers, etc., - while drunk.

• HEAVY SOCIAL DRINKERS are heavy habitual drinkers. Most of the time they find themselves getting drunk at social events. The regular or frequent periods of intoxication affect the muscles, causing jerky, uncoordinated movements. Over time, many have become alcoholics, heavily dependent on alcohol – without them knowing it. The more this kind of drinker drinks alcohol, the more likely he or she is to experience some of these negative effects.

• ALCOHOLIC DRINKERS have already developed the social disease called "Alcoholism," having gotten into many excessive bouts of intoxication which have adversely affected their health, happiness, including the safety of their family members, friends and worse, even themselves, because of their intense proclivity to alcohol.

Both the alcoholic drinkers and some heavy social drinkers are considered alcoholics as these last two types strongly typify the characteristics of those who have become alcohol dependents and drink more than the socially accepted norm, thus, acquiring the chronic disease called alcoholism. Those who get hooked into the drinking habit almost always cause severe damages not just to their health – as the toxicity in alcohol leads to increased risk for liver disease, heart disease and certain types of cancer, but also wreck havoc in their relations with the people around them, with their family or love ones at home, and with co-workers in their place of work. The probable cause of death could be strongly linked to abusive, indiscriminate, and unbridled intake of alcohol.

Characterized by throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, irritability, thirst and fatigue, in some cases, tension, paleness, tremors, vomiting, heartburn, wobbly, unsteady movements and loss of appetite, it is something most if not all drinkers will experience the next day after partying the night before: cursed hangover! Most often an accidental side effect of over-indulgence, as anyone who has experienced a severe hangover can confirm this.

According to Dr. James Schaefer, research professor at the department of anthropology at Union College in Schenectady, New York,USA. "A hangover is caused by an excess of toxins in the blood system. The toxins may be produced within the human system or may be introduced from outside, or a combination. But some of the toxins come from the drink itself as an alcoholic beverage has toxins, being a by-product of fermentation and distillation, called congeners. Ethanol itself, and the by-products of alcohol metabolism or (the process of breaking down) by the liver, especially acetaldehyde, found to be highly toxic are common causes of hangover.

"Our bodies produce enzymes to attack these agents, but they only work at set rates, thus the accumulation - the excess - we have the next day makes us feel ill. The body cannot process and get rid of them as quickly as required. Although the body can break down small amounts of the alcoholic substance, even the products of the breakdown are toxic. And while alcohol is broken down mainly in the liver, some of it begins to be broken down by enzymes in the stomach."

A bit of commonsense advice often told is that the only sure way to prevent hangover is to do either of these things: drink alcohol moderately or don’t drink alcohol at all. While it is true that avoiding all alcoholic beverages may be the most efficient way, it isn’t always the popular choice of many nor an advise eagerly followed. Alcohol has been in existence for thousands of years and has earned both fame and notoriety for voluminous reasons. For those who work hard, booze or beer provides a release from everyday stress. The ‘booze just oozes! As alcohol or liquor dulls the senses, as well as decreases the heart rate, it can also decrease anxiety and inhibition and draw out a feeling of euphoria – which unless restrained can sometimes result in an embarrassing behavior. Awareness of its effects and the potential for abuse can make drinking a more pleasurable and safer experience.

So, whether you have had a few too many drinks, you can prevent getting a hangover - by choice, or in the very least relieve the symptoms of a hangover with commonsense prevention that really works. Taking the US and Europe by storm, Chaser is a safe and proven hangover prevention supplement that works with clinical tests to prove it! Made of specially processed calcium carbonate - a vital natural ingredient that protects the stomach from acidity, which is the main cause of all kinds of stomach trouble like diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, etc. often caused by hangover. This breakthrough antidote attracts and absorbs hangover-causing toxins and safely passes them out of the system while drinking. What’s more, it acts like a filter to keep the toxins that cause the morning-after ‘hung’ over distress safely. Note however that the natural ingredients in Chaser only absorb the unwanted toxins that are byproducts of fermentation. Chaser does not prevent intoxication or absorb alcohol, it simply helps enjoy the next morning as much as the night before.

(For more information, check out drug interaction information in drugstore chain websites. Such health hazard alarm information is indicated in drugs’ bottles. Chaser is now available at Mercury Drug, GNC, and soon in Watson’s.)