Medical Health Encyclopedia

Alcohol use

The effects of alcohol may appear within 10 minutes and peak at approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Alcohol remains in the bloodstream until it is broken down by the liver. If a person consumes alcohol at a faster rate than it can be broken down by the liver, the blood alcohol concentration level rises.

Each state has its own legal definition for alcohol intoxication, which is defined by blood alcohol concentration. The legal limit usually falls between 0.08 and 0.10 in most states. Different levels lead to different effects:

• 0.05 -- reduced inhibitions
• 0.10 -- slurred speech
• 0.20 -- euphoria and motor impairment
• 0.30 -- confusion
• 0.40 -- stupor
• 0.50 -- coma
• 0.60 -- respiratory paralysis and death

Alcohol depresses your breathing rate, heart rate, and the control mechanisms in your brain. The effects include:

• Less ability to drive and perform complex tasks
• Reduced inhibitions, which may lead to embarrassing behavior
• Reduced attention span
• Impaired short-term memory
• Impaired motor coordination
• Prolonged reaction time
• Less rapid thought processes

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If a pregnant woman drinks, alcohol can adversely affect the developing fetus causing birth defects or fetal alcohol syndrome (a devastating disorder marked by mental retardation and behavioral problems).

HEALTH RISKS

Alcohol increases the risks of:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls, drownings, and other accidents
• Suicide and homicide
• increased risk for homicide
• Risky sex behaviors, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Fetal alcohol syndrome if a pregnant woman drinks
• Alcoholism or alcohol dependence
• Chronic liver disease
• Head, neck, stomach, and breast cancers

WHEN ABUSE BECOMES DEPENDENCE

Individuals who consume alcohol (or live with individuals who consume alcohol) may want to seek help for themselves or loved ones if the following occur in association with drinking behavior:

• Driving citations or accidents (DUI)
• decreased interest or performance levels at work, school
• Increased absenteeism from work, school
• Increased social isolation
• Increased tolerance to amount of alcohol consumed: more alcohol is needed to produce the same effect
• Inability to decrease or stop alcohol consumption
• Signs of withdrawal, such as tremors, appear when attempting to stop
• Defensive or hostile about personal alcohol use
• Lying or being secretive about alcohol use
• Neglecting appearance
• Neglecting proper nutrition
• Involved in violence, either as perpetrator or victim