Interesting Alcohol Facts Alcohol is the intoxicating ingredient that is present in wine, beer, and spirits. It is a depressant, which means that when it reaches the brain, it slows down the body’s systems. It can also be difficult for the body to process, putting extra pressure on the liver, the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, and other functions. Alcohol is a legal recreational substance for adults and one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. People consume alcohol to socialize, to relax, and to celebrate. It is commonly misused among individuals of all ages, resulting in significant health, legal, and socioeconomic damage. In 2017, around half of all Americans aged over 18 years had consumed alcohol in the last month. Just over 9 percent of those aged 12 to 17 years had done so. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 15.1 million people aged 18 years and over in the U.S. had alcohol use disorder (AUD), or 6.2 percent of this age group.
Fast Facts About Alcohol
• Pure alcohol is a colorless, odorless, and flammable liquid. • Fruits and grains are the foods most commonly used foods to make alcohol. • Alcohol is the number one abused drug by minors in the U.S. • The liver can only oxidize about one drink per hour. • Alcohol is known to be harmful to developing brains, from before birth to adolescence. • No amount of alcohol consumption can be considered safe during pregnancy. • Combined with other medications, whether over the counter or prescribed, alcohol’s effects can be deadly.
Short-term Effects One to two drinks can make you feel relaxed. Within minutes of consuming alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream by blood vessels in the stomach lining and small intestine. It then travels to the brain, where it quickly produces its effects.
Signs of Intoxication At first, the person may feel relaxed, uninhibited, or giddy. As they consume more alcohol, intoxication may result. Other signs of intoxication include: • slurred speech • clumsiness and unsteady gait • drowsiness • vomiting • headache • distortion of senses and perception • loss of consciousness • lapses in memory
How Much Alcohol? One drink is the equivalent of: • 12 ounces of beer that is around 5 percent alcohol, depending on the type • 5 ounces of wine that is around 12 percent alcohol • 1.5- ounces of spirits, or a “shot,” at about 40 percent alcohol • 8 ounces of malt liquor, at around 7 percent alcohol
The short-term effects of alcohol depend on: • how much is consumed • how quickly • the weight, sex, and body fat percentage of the individual • whether or not they have eaten Drinking with a meal slows the rate of absorption, resulting in fewer side effects and less intoxication. GLOBALONEMAG.COM
In other words, these servings all contain the same amount of alcohol: 0.6 ounces. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. It is expressed as the weight of ethanol in grams per 100 milliliter (ml) of blood. The University of West Virginia suggests that a person may experience the following, depending on individual factors:
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