Download Walkner, Renee Physiological Comp. April 3, 2011 Alcohol Fact

Walkner, Renee
Physiological Comp.
April 3, 2011
Alcohol Fact Sheet
“Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is the most commonly used drug in the world.” Ethanol, also
called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile,
flammable, colorless liquid. It is a powerful psychoactive drug and one of the oldest
recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is
also used in thermometers, as a solvent, and as an alcohol fuel. In common usage, it is
often referred to simply as alcohol or spirits. (ww.ragingalcoholic.com/alcoholfacts.html)
“Wisconsin has one of the worst records in the country for alcohol abuse. Wisconsin
continues to lead the nation in women who binge drink at 24 percent; the national average is
16 percent.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_laws_of_Wisconsin).
The Standard Measure of Alcohol is as follows:
In the United States, a standard drink is any drink that contains about half an ounce (13.7
grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is
found in
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12-ounces of regular beer or wine cooler.
8-ounces of malt liquor.
5-ounces of wine.
1.5-ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (i.e., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).
Definitions of Patterns of Drinking Alcohol
Binge drinking
Walkner, Renee
Physiological Comp.
April 3, 2011
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For women, more than 3 drinks during a single occasion.
For men, more than 4 drinks during a single occasion.
Heavy drinking:
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For women, more than 1 drink per day on average.
For men, more than 2 drinks per day on average.
. Following are some of the symptoms of alcohol abuse:
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Neglect of other Activities: Important social, occupational, or recreational
activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
Excessive Use: Alcohol is consumed in larger amounts over a longer period than
intended.
Impaired control: Ongoing, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol
consumption.
Persistence of Use: Alcohol consumption is continued despite knowledge of
having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely
caused or exacerbated by alcohol.
Large Amounts of Time Spent in Alcohol Related Activities: A great deal of time
is spent in activities necessary to obtain, use or recover from the effects of
alcohol.
Withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and
anxiety when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
Tolerance: The need for increasing amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects.
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If pregnant, miscarriage, stillbirth, and a combination of physical and mental birth
defects that last throughout life.
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Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol
levels of alcohol that suppress the central nervous system and cause loss of
consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory
depression and death.
Long-Term Health Risks
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases,
neurological impairments and social problems. These include but are not limited to the
following:
Walkner, Renee
Physiological Comp.
April 3, 2011
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Neurological problems including dementia, stroke and neuropathy.
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Cardiovascular problems including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial
fibrillation and hypertension.
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Psychiatric problems including depression, suicidality and anxiety.
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Social problems including unemployment, lost productivity and family problems.
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Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, prostate and breast for women. In
general, the risk of cancer increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
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Liver diseases including:
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Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which can progress to
cirrhosis.
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Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that prevents this vital organ from
functioning properly. This condition often leads to complete liver failure,
and it is among the 15 leading causes of all death in the United States.
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Alcohol use by those with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause the infection
to worsen. Alcohol may also interfere with the medications used to treat
HCV.
Other gastrointestinal problems including pancreatitis and gastritis.
Withdrawal Symptoms:
Alcohol withdrawal hyperarousal is the earliest showing and most common symptom of
withdrawal.
It includes irritability, anxiety, insomnia, inability to eat or loss of appetite, increased
heart rate, and the shakes. Attempts, for drunks, to avoid this condition usually consist of
the morning drink or two.
Walkner, Renee
Physiological Comp.
April 3, 2011
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental and
physical defects that can develop in a fetus when a woman drinks alcohol during
pregnancy. The timing and frequency of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are
major factors in the risk of a child developing fetal alcohol syndrome. While the
ingestion of alcohol does not always result in FAS, there are no medically established
guidelines for safe levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can stunt fetal growth or weight, create
distinctive facial stigmata, damage neurons and brain structures, which can result in
psychological or behavioral problems.
The main effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the
brain.
Walkner, Renee
Physiological Comp.
April 3, 2011
References
1. http://www.ragingalcoholic.com/alcohol-facts.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_laws_of_Wisconsin
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol
4. http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Alcoholic_beverage
5. http://publichealthcouncil.dhs.wi.gov/shp
6. http://www.enotalone.com/article/7007.html
7. http://www.ragingalcoholic.com/alcohol-withdrawal-hyperarousal.html
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_syndrome