Alcohol

What is Alcohol?

  • Ethyl alcohol is a colorless liquid made naturally by fermentation of grains, fruit juices and sugars.
  • It is the intoxicating ingredient in beer, wine and distilled liquor. The amount of alcohol in distilled liquor is known as “proof”. (100 proof liquor contains 50% alcohol, as compared to traditional wine, which contains 8-14% and beer contains 4-6%)
  • It acts as a central nervous system depressant – slows the activity of the brain.
  • 1 drink is considered to be: 4-5 ounces wine

10 ounces wine cooler

12 ounces beer

1 1/4 ounce 80 proof liquor

Factors influencing alcohol’s effects:

The amount of alcohol a person can drink safely is highly individual and dependent on the following:

age

gender

size and weight of individual

physical condition

personality

environment

whether there is food in the stomach

amount and speed of alcohol consumed

other drugs or medication taken

*All of the above affect the level of impairment and behavior.

*It takes 1 hour for each drink consumed to sober up. “Remedies”, such as black coffee, cold showers or fresh air have no effect on blood alcohol content.

Effects of alcohol

Low Dose / Medium Dose / High Dose
A relaxing effect / slurred speech / vomiting
reduces tension / drowsiness / breathing difficulties
lowers inhibitions / alters emotions / unconsciousness
increases talkativeness / disturbed sleep / coma
impairs concentration / death
slows reflexes
impairs reaction time
reduces coordination

Continued heavy drinking over a period of years can result in damage – some of it permanent. Chronic heavy drinking can lead to:

  • Dependence / Addiction (Alcoholism)
  • Liver damage (fatty liver, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis or cancer of the liver)
  • Brain damage (reduction in brain size, dementia or impairment of balance and memory)
  • Heart disease (congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, increased blood pressure, increase in blood lipids and risk of stroke)
  • Stomach ulcers and gastritis
  • Malnutrition
  • Enlarged kidneys
  • Osteoporosis
  • Increased risk of cancer of the pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus
  • Birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Alcoholism – alcohol can cause both psychological and physical addiction.

*Psychological dependence occurs when a drinker uses alcohol as an escape from problems and stress. They come to depend on the drug for relief.

*Physical dependence is when repeated drinking produces tolerance.

*Alcoholism strikes approximately 1 in 10 drinkers.

*Experts believe genetic factors make certain people more vulnerable to alcoholism. Environmental, cultural and psychological factors can also contribute to the development of the disease.

*Alcoholism can not be cured, but people with alcoholism can recover. Recovery depends on total abstinence from alcohol.