Puberty 101Drug Abuse
Alcohol
| What It Is | ||
| Alcohol is a depressant drug that reduces social inhibitions and relaxes. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of fruits, vegetables or grains. Alcoholic drinks consist mainly of water and ethanol or ethyl alcohol in varying strengths. | ||
| Street Names | ||
| Beer, wine, booze, liquor, and many more including brand names. | ||
| How It Is Taken | ||
| By drinking. | ||
| What It Does | ||
| Alcohol is absorbed very rapidly into the blood stream
from the stomach lining, in as short a time as 5 to 10 minutes and it's effects
last for several hours depending on the amount and how quickly it was
consumed. Women absorb alcohol faster than men because their bodies contain less water. The water dilutes the alcohol and so the same amount of alcohol will produce a higher concentration in the blood. Alcohol intake is measured in units. One unit is 8 grams of pure alcohol, which is equal to half a pint of normal strength beer, a standard glass of wine or a shot of measure of spirits. After 4 to 5 units most people feel less inhibited and more relaxed. After 8 or so units, most people slur their speech and become less coordinated and clumsy. Some people have increased emotional reactions. More alcohol could result in staggering, double vision, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting and an impression of the room spinning. After a period of heavy alcohol consumption a mixture of factors, mainly withdrawal and dehydration (alcohol dehydrates the body) may cause a hang-over. This is usually characterized by nausea, a headache and sometimes vomiting. However, this may be avoided if the water is drunk (usually at least a pint, if not more if you are a heavy drinker) after a drinking session. Mixing alcohol with other depressant drugs increases its effects and is extremely dangerous. | ||
| Medical Uses | ||
| Alchol has many medical uses. | ||
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