Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant, a substance that slows the body’s brain, nervous system, organ functions and motor skills. It is prevalent in social settings because of its reputation as a self-confidence booster and as a relaxant. There are different forms of alcohol such as ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Liquor, beer and wine contain ethyl alcohol. Rubbing alcohol, which contains isopropyl alcohol, is poisonous when ingested. Different drinks contain different quantities of ethyl alcohol. It is commonly believed that beer is not an alcoholic substance. Nothing could be further from the truth: beer is equivalent to one glass of wine or one shot of liquor! So before you down a six pack of beer do the math!

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication

short-term memory loss or “blacking out,”
slurred speech,
loss of motor coordination,
dilated pupils.

Increased alcohol use leads to an increased tolerance of the substance, resulting in a need to drink greater amounts to achieve the same effect. After a short period of abuse, alcohol dependence can develop in which a person drinks to avoid withdrawal symptoms—at this point the pleasure sensation elicited by the alcohol has long disappeared.

What Are the Social and Economic Costs of Alcohol Abuse?

In 2009, The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that half of Americans 12 and older reported being current drinkers of alcohol—that is 51.9 percent of the population or 130.6 million people. That is an increase from the previous year’s study. Of 130.6 million drinkers, 23.7 percent participated in binge drinking. Binge drinking is a dangerous form of drinking often leading to accidental death, alcohol poisoning and more. Heavy drinking was reported in 17.1 million people. Sadly, drinking during pregnancy remains high thus exposing developing fetuses to suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, that include severe developmental problems physically, emotionally, and intellectually after birth.

Estimates reveal that the economic costs of alcohol in the United States approach $185 billion per year. Literally hundreds of thousands of people are injured in alcohol related accidents yearly! Drunk driving fatalities or deaths accounted for 32 % of all traffic deaths in 2009. (National Health Traffic Safety Administration)

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms (see alcohol detox)

Psychological Symptoms of Alcohol Drug Addiction (read more about alcoholism)
Both withdrawal and alcohol addiction can be overcome with the help of alcohol treatment. In treatment, medication can be used to ease withdrawal symptoms, if necessary. Some types of brain malfunctions associated with memory loss or critical thinking can with time be reversed if abstinence is maintained. The body is usually able to recover from alcohol dependence and abuse, although advanced stages of liver damage, brain damage, and cancer are irreversible but may be arrested.

Slang terms for alcohol include:
Bevvie, Booze, Brew, Brewskies, Canned Heat, Cold One, Fire Water, Goon, Hard Stuff, Hooch, Juice, Liquid Courage, Moonshine, Pimp Juice, Red-Eye, Rotgut, Sauce, Scoops, Spirits, Tipple, Toddy, Tramp Juice, Vino, Wet, Yak.

Get the alcohol and drug addiction help you need now. We are available 24 hours a day at 1-888-221-5866. All calls are confidential.