WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
It is classed as a depressant, meaning that it slows down vital functionsresulting in slurred speech,
unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react quickly.
As for how it affects the mind, it is best understood as a drug that reduces a persons ability to think
rationally and distorts his or her judgment.
Although classified as a depressant, the amount of alcohol consumed determines the type of effect.
Most people drink for the stimulant effect, such as a beer or glass of wine taken to loosen up. But
if a person consumes more than the body can handle, they then experience alcohols depressant
effect. They start to feel stupid or lose coordination and control.
Alcohol overdose causes even more severe depressant effects (inability to feel pain, toxicity where
the body vomits the poison, and finally unconsciousness or, worse, coma or death from severe toxic
overdose). These reactions depend on how much is consumed and how quickly.
Alcohol content
Fermented drinks, such as beer and wine, contain from 2% alcohol to 20% alcohol. Distilled drinks,
or liquor, contain from 40% to 50% or more alcohol. The usual alcohol content for each is:
Beer 26% alcohol
Cider 48% alcohol
Wine 820% alcohol
Tequila 40% alcohol
Rum 40% or more alcohol
Brandy 40% or more alcohol
Gin 4047% alcohol
Whiskey 4050% alcohol
Vodka 4050% alcohol
Liqueurs 1560% alcohol
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Depending on how much is taken and the physical condition of the individual, alcohol can cause:
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Headaches
Breathing difficulties
Distorted vision and hearing
Impaired judgment
Decreased perception and coordination
Unconsciousness
Anemia (loss of red blood cells)
Coma
Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while
under the influence)
Long-term effects of alcohol
Binge drinking and continued alcohol use in large amounts are associated with many health
problems, including:
Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning
Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence
Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity
Increased family problems, broken relationships
Alcohol poisoning
High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
Liver disease
Nerve damage
Sexual problems
Permanent damage to the brain
Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by amnesia, apathy and
disorientation
Ulcers
Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls)
Malnutrition
Cancer of the mouth and throat
My addiction built steadily and, before I realized it, I had become a morning as well as a
Signs and Symptoms of Intoxication
Alcohol is absorbed by the small intestine into the bloodstream. The blood then enters the liver,
where most of the alcohol is metabolized. The body excretes a small amount of unprocessed
alcohol. The body absorbs alcohol more quickly than it metabolizes, so the blood alcohol
concentration increases quickly and effects occur rapidly.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. In general, the
first noticeable effects of alcoholreduced anxiety, sedation
occur when blood alcohol concentration is at 0.04 gr per 100 mL
of blood. As blood alcohol levels rise, the person may show the
following signs:
Confusion
Coordination difficulties
Expansive mood
Impaired memory
Poor judgment
Sense of well-being
Short attention span
Slurred speech
Talkativeness
On average, between three and six standard drinks cause legal intoxication, which, depending on
state laws, is defined as blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 gr or 0.10 gr per 100 mL of blood.
When blood alcohol levels fall, the person experiences symptoms such as being withdrawn, sedate,
and/or depressed. Eventually, the body metabolizes and excretes the alcohol and the person sobers
up.
Very high levels of blood alcohol cause the person to fall asleep or pass out. More rarely, severe
intoxication caused by alcohol poisoning is life threatening:
At .40 BAC, alcohol suppresses the cardiorespiratory system. Coma or death may result.
At .45 BAC, alcohol suppresses major organ systems. Death results.
Several factors, such as the amount of alcohol consumed, body weight, and food intake, affects the
rate at which a person becomes intoxicated. Water content also affects the rate at which alcohol is
metabolized: the higher the water content, the more alcohol absorbed. Women, whose bodies
typically have a higher percentage of water content, show signs of intoxication more quickly.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Tolerance
Tolerance occurs when a person's body is less responsive to alcohol because of repeated exposure.
Alcohol causes neurons (nerve cells) in the central nervous system to adapt to its presence. Those
who are tolerant require more alcohol to produce an effect, such as reducing anxiety.
In addition, liver enzymes that detoxify alcohol increase with frequent drinking; thus, the liver of an
alcoholic breaks down alcohol more quickly than it did when first exposed to alcohol, contributing
to the development of tolerance. Tolerance levels can increase to the point that a long-term alcoholic
can consume a quantity of alcohol that would be extremely dangerous to a nondrinker.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse
Abuse is characterized by frequent drinking that causes the person to neglect responsibilities such as
working, caring for children, or attending school. Difficulties with family, friends, and coworkers
because of drinking are also signs of abuse. The person may drink when it is dangerous, for example
while driving. It is common for those who abuse alcohol to have legal problems related to drinking,
such as being arrested for disorderly conduct. Abuse may lead to dependence.
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal
In clinical withdrawal, two or more of the following symptoms occur several hours or up to a few
days after someone stops drinking:
Anxiety
Autonomic hyperactivity (i.e., sweating, pulse rate greater than 100)
Delirium tremens (i.e., anxiety, increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, confusion)
Difficulty performing tasks involving coordination
Grand mal seizures (i.e., convulsions resulting in loss of consciousness and muscle
contractions)
Hallucinations (sights, sounds, or physical sensations on the skin, elevated or decreased
temperature)
Hand tremor
Insomnia
Nausea, vomiting
Potential symptoms and complications of acute intoxication or alcohol poisoning by
body part affected
Body part affected
Mouth
Complication/symptom
Slurred/confused speech
Nausea, vomiting
Stomach and food pipe
Heartburn
Intestines
Gastritis
Diarrhoea
Pancreatitis
Pancreas and sugar digestion
Kidneys and fluid balance
Hypoglycemia
Dehydration
Heart and blood pressure
Lungs
Brain and nervous system
Depleted salts and minerals
Increased heart rate
Irregular heart rate
Slowed rate and depth of breathing (respiratory depression)
Pneumonia/bronchitis
Impaired concentration/attention
Blackouts/memory loss
Impaired consciousness/coma
Mood and personality changes
Mental health
Sexual health
Bones and muscles
Eyes
Whole body
Aggression/antisocial behaviour
Suicide and self-harm
Unsafe sex/STI/sexual assault
Unplanned pregnancy (females)
Injuries
Blurred/double vision
Injuries
Death
