BE A
PART OF
NOT APART
FROM
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The Sober Life Project does not provide treatment for addiction or any other illness, does not claim to provide medical or psychological intervention for any disorder, nor does it diagnose addiction. The Sober Life Project is a public awareness clearing house for drug abuse and addiction information, resources, referrals and peer support only.
Alcohol
What is Alcohol?
Alcohol is a depressant and contains ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Ethanol is an intoxicating ingredient in beer, wine and liquor, and produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars and starches.
How is it used?
Alcohol is consumed in beverages such as beer, wine and liquor. It is also often used in cooking recipes.
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 increased socialbility; 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 effect after large amounts of alcohol are consumed; a hangover consists of headaches, nausea, thirst, dizziness and fatigue.
50 Visible Signs of
Alcohol Intoxication
1. Bloodshot, glassy, or watery eyes
2. Flushed face
3. Droopy eyelids
4. Blank stare or dazed look
5. Twitching or body tremors
6. Disheveled clothing Speech
7. Thick, slurred speech
8. Loud, noisy speech
9. Speaking loudly, then quietly
10. Rambling train of thought
11. Unusually fast or slow talking
12. Slow response to questions or comments
13. Repetitive statements
14. Bravado, boasting
15. Making irrational statements Attitude
16. Annoying other guests and employees
17. Argumentative
18. Aggressive or belligerent
19. Obnoxious or mean
20. Inappropriate sexual advances
21. Overly friendly to other guests or employees
22. Boisterous Behavior
23. Swaying, staggering, or stumbling
24. Unable to sit straight
25. Careless with money
26. Difficulty making change
27. Restless
28. Depressed or sullen
29. Crying or moody
30. Extreme or sudden change in behavior
31. Overly animated or entertaining
32. Crude, inappropriate speech or gestures
33. Drowsiness or falling asleep
34. Lack of focus and eye contact
35. Difficulty standing up
36. Unusual walk
37. Can't find mouth with glass
38. Falling down or falling off of chair
39. Difficulty lighting cigarettes
40. Lighting more than one cigarette
41. Clumsy
42. Difficulty remembering
43. Spilling drinks
44. Disoriented
45. Agitated, anxious
46. Grinding teeth
47. Vomiting Other
48. Odor of alcohol, marijuana or chemicals
49. Excessive perspiration
50. Repeated trips to rest room or outside area
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, heart, pancreas and liver. Drinking too much alcohol can also weaken the immune system and can increase the risks of developing cancers. 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.
Both environmental factors and genetics are associated with alcoholism with about half the risk attributed to each. A person with a parent or sibling with alcoholism is three to four times more likely to be alcoholic themselves. Environmental factors include social, cultural, and behavioral influences.
High stress levels, anxiety, as well as inexpensive easily accessible alcohol increases risk. People may continue to drink partly to prevent or improve symptoms of withdrawal. A low level of withdrawal may last for months following stopping. Medically alcoholism is considered both a physical and mental illness.