|
Alcohol Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is
the main type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Although
it can be made synthetically, what is used in beverages must be
produced naturally by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or
grains. Alcohol abuse is the most common form of drug abuse.
Alcohol is a clear liquid which
changes colour depending on the dilutants and additives.
Alcoholic beverages include wine, wine coolers, beer, distilled
liquor like whiskey and vodka and fortified wine such as sherry
or port. A bottle of regular beer contains about the same amount
of alcohol as a drink with 45 mL of spirits, a 143 mL glass of
wine, or 85 mL of fortified wine.
Classed as a
central nervous system depressant, the effects include:
-
slurred speech
-
loss of coordination
-
drowsiness
-
flushing
-
impaired judgement
-
aggressiveness
-
emotional release
Alcohol, in proportion to the
amount in the blood stream, decreases activity of parts of the
brain and spinal cord. Overdose can result in death from
respiratory arrest or from aspiration of stomach contents into
the lungs while "passed out". Combining alcohol with drugs such
as antihistamines, tranquillizers, sleeping pills, and pain
pills can increase the effects of these drugs to a dangerous
degree.
Harmful
involvement with alcohol can cause:
-
liver damage
-
blackouts
-
heart and circulatory problems
-
calcium depletion, bone & muscle weakness
-
sex organ problems such as impotence
-
intellectual impairment
-
accidents
-
stomach problems
Other
problems include
Severity of
withdrawal symptoms varies depending on the length of time and
amount of use.
-
elevated blood
pressure, pulse and breathing
-
nausea, vomiting
-
trembling, sweating
-
seizures
-
hallucinations
-
fear, panic, restlessness
-
depression
-
aches and pains
-
delirium tremens
-
death
Drug Dependency
Services, Central Region, 1999
|
