Fact Sheet on Alcohol
By: Susan Eck
April 1, 2011
What is alcohol?
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Alcohol is a beverage that contains ethanol. It is a colorless volatile flammable liquid,
C2H5OH, synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely
used either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs, cleaning solutions, explosives,
and intoxicating beverages. Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol. (Yahoo
education). Alcohol can also be made from corn, barley, grain, rye or a beverage
containing ethyl. There are three classes of alcohol, beer, wines, and spirits. Alcohol is a
psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. The amount of alcohol in a beverage is
stated as the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV) or as proof. Alcohol is created from
grains, fruits or vegetables that are fermented.
The consumption and social impact of alcohol consumption in Wisconsin:
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Wisconsin has led every state in its percentage of drinkers since 1995
Wisconsin has led the nation in binge drinking every year since 1995
Wisconsin is the only state in the country that treats first-offense drunken driving as a
traffic ticket.
More than one-third of the people convicted of drunken driving in Wisconsin last year
were repeat offenders.
In 2007 alone, Wisconsin’s drunken driving excess claimed more than 70 lives above the
norm
What is the “Standard measure of alcohol”?
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The difference between potency measures based upon “percent of alcohol by volume”
and measures based upon “percent of alcohol by weight”. Blood alcohol content (BAC),
the medical term used for measurement of alcohol concentration in blood. It can also be
denoted as a percentage by mass per volume our by mass or a combination or both.
Example, blood alcohol content (BAC), of 0.10% means 1 gram of alcohol per 100 grams
of blood. Or 0.1 gram of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
What are the physiological effects from the abuse of alcohol?
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Alcohol affects the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) which control
all body functions. The effects determine on how much alcohol is in the blood (blood
alcohol concentration - BAC). When a person drinks alcohol, about 20 percent is
absorbed in the stomach and 80 percent is absorbed in the small intestine. Once the
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Alcohol is absorbed into the tissues it affects your mind and body. Alcohol leaves the
body in three ways: the kidneys, lungs and liver. Drinking alcohol damages the kidneys,
the lungs and the liver.
The effects of alcohol at different levels of BAC
o Euphoria; is the initial stage, BAC levels at 0.03 to 0.12%, this phase the person is
more relaxed, confident and has no worries
o Lethargy; has BAC levels of 0.09 to 0.23%, this phase the person starts to loose
balance, his vision becomes blurred and appears sleepy
o Confusion; BAC level increases to 0.17 to 0.28%, this phase the person becomes
intense with his emotions and feelings, they become dizzy and nausea with
weird feelings
o Stupor; this stage is marked by a BAC count ranging from 0.25 to 0.39%, the
person becomes impaired and starts loosing and again regaining consciousness
at frequent intervals. This stage has a high risk of a coma.
o Coma; BAC ranges from 0.35 to 0.50%, patients become unconscious, body
reflexes become very poor, there is a drop in heart beats and breathing.
o Death; BAC exceeds the mark of 0.50%, this is a very fatal stage marked by
central nervous system failure, which ultimately leads to death.
The signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence:
The alcohol problem is based on the effects drinking has on your life and how you use
alcohol.
 Alcohol related illnesses
 Memory lapses (blackouts) after heavy drinking
 Craving-a strong need, or urge, to drink
 Drinking alone
 Hostility when confronted about drinking
 Loss of control – not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun
 Making excuses to drink
 Missing work or school
 Neglecting to eat
 Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and
anxiety after stopping drinking
 Tolerance – the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get “high”
 Shaking in the morning
What are the withdrawal effects from alcohol?
Alcohol is a depressant on the CNS (central nervous system), it also has a depressant effect on
the PNS (peripheral nervous system). Long term drinking, lead to physical dependence. Goals
for treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are to relieve discomfort and to prevent medical
complications. An alcohol will have to undergo intensive treatment for their addiction.
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Levels of alcohol withdrawal are:
Level 1) minor withdrawal;
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Insomnia
Nausea
Sweating
Shakiness
Headache
Anxiety after stopping drinking; these symptoms accor within 6 to 12 hours after
drinking.
Level 2) mid-level withdrawal;
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Minor withdrawal intensified
Visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations (patients are not usually aware of
hallucinations)
Possible seizures
Racing pulse
Irregular heartbeat; these symptoms appear within 12 to 48 hours after quitting
drinking
Level 3) major withdrawal;
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Delirium
Alcohol-induced hallucinations
Profuse sweating
Seizures
Sever blood pressure spikes, racing and irregular heartbeat
Sever tremors; these symptoms appear within 48 to 72 hours after quitting drinking
and peak in five days.
What are the short term health risks?
Alcohol depresses the CNS activity at all doses producing definable results.
 Upset stomach
 Diarrhea
 Lack of coordination and judgment
 Headaches: and
 Insomnia
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What are the long term health risks?
The whole body is affected and these problems can lead to death.
 Heart disease: high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, heart damage, heart failure
 Cancer (more from cigarette smoke)
 Liver problems: liver damage, hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer
 Problems of the stomach, lungs, kidneys, skin, muscle, and bones;
 Infections )alcohol suppresses the immune system)
 Mental disorders: problems with attention, learning, and memory; depression; mood
swings; anxiety disorders;
 Insomnia
 Malnutrition
 Impotence and infertility in men.
Fetal alcohol syndrome and effects:
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Babies whose mothers drink during pregnancy may be born with low birth weight and
with physical, mental and behavioral problems. The principal symptoms of a child born
with fetal alcohol syndrome are retarded growth both before and after birth. Various
abnormalities of the central nervous system and certain characteristic abnormalities of
the face and head. Microcephaly (small head), short palpebral fissures (small eye
openings), ptosis (eyelid droop), epicanthic folds (skin folds over the inside eye corner);
and short unturned nose; long smooth philtrum (are between nose and mouth), thin
upper lip.
Other effects;
o poor growth while in the womb, and after birth
o Decreased muscle tone and poor coordination
o Delayed development with significant functional problems, with thinking,
speech, movement, or social skills
o Heart defects such as (VSD) ventricular septal defect, or (ASD) atrial septal defect
o Structural problems with the face, narrow, small eyes with large epicanthal folds,
small heads, small upper jaw, smooth groove in upper lip and smooth and thin
upper lip.
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References:
Buzzle.com; Blood Alcohol Content;
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/blood-alcohol-content.html
Drugs and Society; Tenth Edition; Chapter 7-8.
E Health MD; http://ehealthmd.com/library/alcohol-use/alcoholuse-alcoholic.html
“Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).” Britannica Encyclopedia; Encyclopedia Britannica online.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2011, web.28 march 2011
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/205469/fetal-alcohol-sydrome
HAMS: Harm Reduction for Alcohol; What is alcohol withdrawal?
http://hamsnetwork.org/withdrawal
Yahoo Education; http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/alcohol
Wasted in Wisconsin; http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/31237904.html
Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia: Alcohol beverages.
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