- Addictive both physically and psychologically
- Alcoholism or alcohol dependence
- Doesn't don’t always involve excessive levels of drinking
- Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)
- Symptoms occurring when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake
- Caused by excessive or daily drinking excites the nervous system, which makes the body dependent on alcohol over time As a result, the central nervous system can no longer adapt easily to the lack of alcohol, which causes a number of symptoms
- Symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, heart rate changes, increased blood pressure, and delirium.
- Delirium tremens
- The most severe type of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
- Symptoms include extreme confusion and agitation, fever, seizures, and hallucinations
Addiction
Effects
Personality, mood and behaviour
- Used to express feelings, mask feelings or avoid feelings
- Reduced inhibitions, Blurred vision, Slowed reaction times, Impaired memory, Slurred speech, Motor impairment, Confusion, Memory problems, Concentration problems, Coma, Breathing problems, Death, Brain and Nervous System
Brain and Nervous System
- Affects both “excitatory” neurotransmitters and “inhibitory” neurotransmitters
- Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter; normally it increases brain activity and energy levels
- When alcohol binds to the glutamate receptors, it slows down the cell as the glutamates can no longer bind to the receptors and excite the cell.
- GAMA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter; normally it reduces energy levels and calms down the cells
- Alcohol connects with the GAMA receptors to double the production of GAMA, which makes the body feel sedated.
- Affects Prefrontal cortex, Hippocampus, Cerebellum, Reticular activating system, Neurons, Blood vessels
- Increases the release of dopamine; it makes emotions positive as it is connected to the rewards center in the brain
Most commonly taken orally; drinking through the mouth which travels through the body and is absorbed in the bloodstream
Administration
- Are among the most abundantly produced organic chemicals in industry
- Sweeteners and in making perfumes
- Ethanol
- Toiletries, pharmaceuticals, and fuels
- Sterilize hospital instruments.
- The alcohol in alcoholic beverages.
- Ether: colourless, highly volatile and flammable liquid that depresses cerebral activity.
- Methanol
- Used as a solvent, and a raw material for the manufacture of formaldehyde and special resins
- Used in special fuels, in antifreeze, and for cleaning metals.
Uses
Chemical Structure
- A class of organic compounds characterized by one or more hydroxyl (−OH) groups attached to a carbon atom of a hydrocarbon chain
- May be considered as organic derivatives of water (H2O) in which one of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced by a hydrocarbon chain
- Methanol (methyl alcohol)
- CH3OH
- Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
- CH3CH2OH or C2H6O or C2H5O
- Booze, Brew, Chug, Cold One, Gargle, Goof, Giggle Juice, Hard Stuff, Hooch, Jack, Juice, Kool Aid, Mouthwash, Poison, Refreshment, Sauce, Shine, Swish, Vino
Street Names/Scientific Names
Alcohol: A Psychoactive Drug