ALCOHOL

Background

This family of drugs is commonly known by such names as Ethyl or Beverage Alcohol, Ethanol, grain alcohol, or booze. It is a legal drug, regulated by state regulations concerning eligibility to purchase and locations from which it can be distributed. It's forms include clear absolute alcohol liquid, or diluted/blended forms including wine, beer, liquor (distilled spirits) or liquer. The method of delivery is ingestion. It is swallowed in drinks which may be blended or mixed with other spirits or non-alcoholic substances. Alcohol is also included in small amounts in products such as cough medicine and mouthwash. Non-beverage alcohols, such as isopropyl and methyl, are sometimes ingested by street alcoholics and teenagers.

Effects

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant which may cause drowsiness, slurred speech, ataxia, depressed inhibitions, loss of motor coordination, sleep disturbances, vomiting, euphoria, or "blackouts". Alcohol also inhibits the brain's ability to control behavior and impairs an individual's ability to perform motor skills such as driving. Initiatially, the user may feel relaxed or sociable, but this feeling may be replaced with anger, depression, loss of control, or drowsiness, depending upon the individual.

Milk can retard the absorption, but food or drink does not change the ongoing effects. It is metabolized from the body at approximately one drink per 1-2 hours. It is eliminated primarily through the liver (over 90%), with smaller amounts being eliminated through the lungs and urine. Basically, one shot of distilled spirits is equivalent to one glass of wine or one 12 ounce beer. Effects can vary due to size of individual, blood absorption capacity, amount of food in stomach, tolerance level, and other factors.

Chronic use can lead to memory loss, hypothermia, decreased sex drive, impotence, menstrual problems, liver and kidney damage, general stomach and intestine damage, lack of ability to feel pain, coma, susceptibility to alcohol-related diseases, anxiety, insomnia, socially unacceptable behavior, brain damage, affected walk, depletion of vitamins and nutrients, death from inability to breathe, heart failure, severe withdrawal effects, interaction with other drugs, driving while under the influence, suicide. Also, aspiration of vomit leading to asphyxiation or pneumonia is not uncommon.

Use by pregant women can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome which may cause birth defects in the fetus. These may include mental retardation, heart defects, small head circumference, facial anomalies, and growth retardation.

Alcohol can also be physically and psychologically addictive.

WHEN TO GET HELP

Do you think you're more witty and attractive when you drink?

Do you think about how and when you're going to drink again?

Is your job performance affected by your drinking?

Has your health changed?

Are you spending more money on booze?

Do family and friends mention your drinking to you?

Do you stop and start drinking to test yourself?

Are you a weekend binge drinker?

Have you been stopped for drunk driving?

One "yes" answer could indicate that you have a problem with alcohol.

Fact: It's estimated that 1 in 20 Americans has an alcohol dependency problem. Of all the drugs in the world, alcohol and tobacco remain the two top killers.

Other Resources

The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information

The Indiana Prevention Resource Center Alcohol Page