Alcohol
Alcohol is a liquid produced by fermentation, which is the action of yeast on liquids containing sugars and starches. Pure alcohol has no color or taste. Alcoholic drinks vary in color and taste because of other ingredients that are added to them.
Alcohol is a depressant drug—not a stimulant as many people think. Alcohol slows down activity in the central nervous system, which means it slows down the messages going between the brain and the body. Depressant drugs affect concentration and coordination, and slow the person's response time to unexpected situations.
In small quantities, depressants such as alcohol cause people to become relaxed and lower their inhibitions.
They may feel more confident and often act in a more extroverted manner. In larger quantities, depressants can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Effects of alcohol
How alcohol is absorbed into the body
Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the stomach and the small intestine. Food in the stomach slows down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed, but does not prevent intoxication or drunkenness.
All alcohol consumed will reach the bloodstream, regardless of how much food is in the stomach. Alcohol is distributed throughout the water in the body, but not into fatty tissue.
How alcohol leaves the body
The liver breaks down about 91 per cent of alcohol, and a small amount leaves the body in urine, sweat and the breath. The liver can only work at a fixed rate, getting rid of about three-quarters of a standard drink an hour. Sobering up takes time, and cold showers, exercise, black coffee, fresh air or vomiting will not speed up the process. Someone who drinks a lot at night may still have a high concentration of alcohol in their bloodstream the following day.
Immediate effects
- After a few drinks the person may feel more relaxed, have reduced concentration and slower reflexes.
- After a few more drinks, they may have fewer inhibitions, more confidence, reduced coordination, slurred speech and intense moods (for example, sad, happy, angry).
- If the person continues to drink they may experience confusion, blurred vision and poor muscle control.
- Continuing to drink may result in nausea, vomiting and sleep.
- Consuming more alcohol could possibly result in coma or death.
"Binge" drinking
Binge drinking can be described as drinking heavily over a short period of time or drinking continuously over a number of days or weeks.
Binge drinking is harmful because it results in immediate and severe intoxication. As well as health risks, this can lead people to take risks and put themselves in dangerous situations.
Common effects of binge-drinking episodes are hangovers, headaches, nausea, shakiness and vomiting.
Long-term effects
Heavy consumption of alcohol over a long period of time can cause damage to many parts of the body.
Impairment of brain and liver functions can be permanent. If the person’s diet is also poor, this can further affect their health. Emotional difficulties, such as depression and relationship problems, are also likely.
Other possible long-term effects include:
- cancer of the mouth, throat, lips, liver
- brain injury, loss of memory, confusion, hallucinations
- high blood pressure, irregular pulse, enlarged heart and changes in red blood cells
- weakness and loss of muscle tissue
- sweating, flushing and bruising of the skin
- inflamed stomach lining, bleeding and stomach ulcers
- increased risk of lung infections
- severe swelling of the liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis, inflamed pancreas
- tingling and loss of sensation in hands and feet
- for men, impotence, shrinking of testicles and damaged and reduced sperm
- for women, greater risk of gynaecological problems
Social problems
Excessive alcohol use can affect all areas of a person's life, including family, work and personal relationships.
- Family problems: Arguments over someone's drinking can cause family and relationship problems that may lead to break up.
- Work problems: Drinking alcohol at work and hangovers can lead to poor performance and accidents at work, absenteeism, etc.
- Legal problems: Drink-driving may lead to fines, loss of license and even imprisonment.
Tolerance and dependence
People who drink heavily usually develop a tolerance to alcohol. This means that they need to drink more to experience the same effect. As a result, some people can drink large amounts of alcohol without appearing to be intoxicated. However, the amount of alcohol consumed can still damage their health.
People who regularly drink heavily may become dependent on alcohol. Dependence can be psychological or physical, or both. People who are psychologically dependent on alcohol find that drinking becomes far more important than other activities in their life. People who are physically dependent upon alcohol find that their body is used to functioning with alcohol present.
Withdrawal
If a person who is physically dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking they will experience withdrawal symptoms because their body has to readjust to functioning without alcohol.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- anxiety
- insomnia
- irritability
- confusion
- tremors
- sweating
In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal may cause convulsions, cramps, vomiting, delusions, hallucinations and even death. A person considering withdrawing from alcohol should first consult a doctor or other health professional.
Blood alcohol concentration
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. A BAC of 0.05 means the person has 0.05 grams of alcohol in every 100ml of their blood.
Since the liver metabolites alcohol at a rate of about three-quarters of a standard drink an hour, the BAC level drops over time, unless more alcohol is consumed.
BAC is measured with a breathalyzer, or by analyzing a sample of blood.
Factors affecting your BAC
The more a person drinks, the higher their BAC. However, two people who drink the same amount might register quite different BACs. This is due to a range of factors, including:
- Body size: A smaller person will have a higher BAC than a larger person, because the alcohol is concentrated in a smaller body mass.
- Empty stomach: Someone with an empty stomach will reach a higher BAC sooner than someone who has just eaten a meal. Food in the stomach slows down the rate at which alcohol passes into the bloodstream.
- Body fat: People with a lot of body fat tend to have higher BAC. Alcohol is not absorbed into fatty tissue, so the alcohol is concentrated in a smaller body mass.
- Sex: After consuming the same amount of alcohol, a female will almost always have a higher BAC than a male.
Because of all these variable factors, counting the number of standard drinks you consume can only give a rough guide to your BAC.
• For more information on the risks of alcohol-related harm, contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory.