Alcohol

Alcohol

 

Street Names

  • Booze
  • type specific names (Jim, Goose, Captain)
  • drink specific names (Martini, Bloody Mary, Bomb)

What is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a depressant
How is it used?
Alcohol is drunk. Types include beer, wine, and liquor.
What are its short-term effects?

 

        

When a person drinks alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream, and goes to all the tissues. The effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person's size, weight, age, and sex, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed. The disinhibiting effect of alcohol is one of the main reasons it is used in so many social situations. Other effects of moderate alcohol intake include dizziness and talkativeness; the immediate effects of a larger amount of alcohol include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol, even at low doses, significantly impairs the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic violence and child abuse. Hangovers are another possible effect after large amounts of alcohol are consumed; a hangover consists of headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness, and fatigue. Abuse Repeated use of alcohol and/or other drugs accompanied by failure to fulfill major responsibilities related to work, family, school or other roles and/or repeated use in situations that are physically hazardous; and/or repeated legal problems.
What are its long-term effects?

Prolonged, heavy use of alcohol can lead to addiction (alcoholism). Sudden cessation of long term, extensive alcohol intake is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations and convulsions. Long-term effects of consuming large quantities of alcohol, especially when combined with poor nutrition, can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and liver. In addition, mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants may suffer from mental retardation and other irreversible physical abnormalities. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics.  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome A disorder seen in a small number of the children born of mothers who drink heavily during pregnancy. A child with fetal alcohol syndrome usually has low intelligence and learning problems.


Withdrawal Physical changes occurring when a person stops or decreases very heavy use of alcohol or other addictive drugs. Withdrawal symptoms usually include shaking, sweating, rapid breathing, and agitation. Hallucinations or convulsions may also occur.

 


Alcoholism-

A disease characterized by excessive and habitual drinking of alcoholic beverages, that causes the alcoholic, physical, psychological, and social harm.

Addiction-

A progressive, chronic, relapsing disorder that includes: craving for alcohol or other drugs and a compulsion to use them; inability to control substance use; and continued use in spite of negative consequences. Other symptoms of addiction can include tolerance (development of resistance to a drug's effects over time), physical dependence, psychological dependence, and withdrawal.


Alcoholic-

Someone who as the result of their alcohol consumption, either excessive or habitual, suffers or has suffered physical, psychological, emotional, social or occupational harm.

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