What is alcohol?

Alcohol is a clear drink that is made from corn, barley, grain, rye, or a beverage containing ethyl. When a person drinks alcohol, about 20 percent is absorbed in the stomach, and 80 percent is absorbed in the small intestine. The word “alcohol” derives from Arabic al-kuhul and is applied to the many members of the family of alcohols. The one found in beer, wine, and spirits is called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is a simple molecule with the chemical formula C2H5OH, often abbreviated as EtOH. It is the presence of the –OH combination (the hydroxyl group) attached to a carbon atom that makes a molecule a member of the alcohol family.

The simplest form of alcohol is methanol (methyl alcohol, CH3OH), sometimes also called “wood alcohol” because it can be produced by fermentation of wood. Other members of this family include glycol (found in anti-freeze for cars), propanol or propyl acohol (rubbing alcohol), and cholesterol, a complicated molecule vital for many bodily functions and which, in excess, can cause serious illnesses such as heart disease.

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The concentration of alcohol, the type of drink, and whether the stomach is full or empty depends on how fast the alcohol is absorbed. Once the alcohol is absorbed into the tissue, it affects your mind and body.  Blood alcohol concentration can rise up to 20 minutes after having a drink. After alcohol is absorbed it leaves the body in three ways: the kidneys, lungs, and liver.

What is the process of alcohol preparation?

The alcohol that is consumed at bars or parties (ethyl alcohol, or ethanol) is created by fermentation, a process in which the yeast fungus feeds on the sugars and/or starches in certain plants such as barley or grapes and excretes alcohol along with carbon dioxide (CO2).

From the cheapest beer to the most expensive wine or after dinner liqueur, all alcohol is made with the same fermentation process. The different colors, tastes, strength and flavors come from the different fruits or vegetables used as well as the additives, by-products and diluting substances of the fermentation process.

Types of alcohol:

• Indian Made Foreign Liquors‘ [IML] – Whisky, Brandy, Rum, Vodka, Gin etc. manufactured in India
• Beers of different strengths and wine
• Country liquor – manufactured in government-licensed factories, commonly called 'Arrack'
• Illicit drinks are illegal, but consumed widely. Examples are toddy, mahua and chang
• Methanol is the most dangerous adulterant in illicit alcohol and is often the cause of life threatening ―hooch tragedies

Action of alcohol on the body:

• Alcohol depresses the normal functions of the brain. At first it depresses the part of the brain that controls inhibitions.
• In small amounts: seems to calm down and relieves anxiety.
• In higher doses: talkativeness, boisterousness.
• At even higher doses: increased sedation, loss of control and balance.
• And finally: unconsciousness, coma and even death.

Effect of alcohol on the body: Ethanol is the most famous member of the alcohol family, consumed by humans throughout recorded history. Alcohol is enjoyed by many people around the world because of its relaxing properties, as an enhancer of sociability, and as a complement to meals. Alcohol has other effects also on the body.

• As a Depressant- Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol actually blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing.
• Intoxication- In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication. People who have overused alcohol may stagger, lose their coordination, and slur their speech. They will probably be confused and disoriented. They may act totally out of character.
• Alcohol poisoning- When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. Alcohol poisoning is exactly what it sounds like — the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may result.

Consequences of alcohol drinking:

• Motor vehicle crashes. Alcohol complicates diagnosis of trauma-related injury, may mask or mimic the signs of a head injury and complicate treatment.
• Workplace accidents Enlargement of heart due to alcohol consumption.
• New evidence underscores the need to recognize alcohol use as one of the risk factors for many communicable and noncommunicable diseases as well as for accidents, injuries domestic and social violence.

The consequences of alcohol use can be divided into three broad categories:

• Consequences related to alcohol use pattern- Intoxication from occasional use can lead to violence or socially inappropriate or embarrassing behaviour.
• Medical and psychiatric consequences of alcohol use- Medical complications due to alcohol use can range from acute damage to the lining of the stomach to severe chronic liver damage, sterility and loss of intellectual functions. Some of the examples like- Gastritis and acid peptic disease, Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), Cirrhosis, Malabsorption syndrome, Pancreatitis, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, heart failure, anaemia, decreased immunity, peripheral neuropathy, alcoholic myopathy, infertility, Blackouts, Wernicke's encephalopathy/syndrome, Korsakow's state/syndrome, Intellectual deficits and dementia, Alcohol-induced mood disorders and suicide, Alcohol-induced jealousy, Foetal alcohol syndrome
• Social, occupational, legal and other consequences of alcohol use- In today's context, alcohol-related problems are seen as a disease affecting the whole family and/or asa social problem and the evidence of the role of the family and society in both the etiology and management of the disease compels us to examine the psychosocial aspects of alcohol-related problems.

• Alcohol like other addictive substances, activates and affects the brain's pleasurecircuit.
• Over time, the brain actually changes in certain ways so that a powerful urge to use alcohol controls the persons‘ behavior.

Protective properties about alcoholism:

• Incidence of heart disease in those who consume moderate amounts of some kinds of alcohol (an average of 1 to 2 drinks per day) has been shown to be lower than that in nondrinkers in some countries
• However with increased consumption the bad effects on health are many more and serious
• For the person beginning to drink alcohol, alcohol addiction and alcoholism is a real threat and it is NOT advisable to issue guidelines that may lead some persons to increase intake of alcohol or start drinking if they do not already do so.

Withdrawal symptoms

• Coarse tremors of hands, tongue or eyelids later
• Nausea/ vomiting
• Malaise/ weakness
• Increased pulse
• Sweating
• Elevated blood pressure
• Anxiety
• Depressed/ irritable mood
• Headache and sleeplessness

Sometime one could have severe withdrawal and may have

• Fits
• Disorientation
• Hallucinations
• Illusions and delusions

Social problems

• marital disharmony and domestic violence
• neglect of children
• criminal behavior such as driving offences, breach of the peace, shoplifting
• unsafe sex
• financial problems

Family problems

• Alcohol destroys the home much before it destroys the liver‖

Occupational problems

• Poor work performance,
• Absenteeism
• Poor relationship with colleague
• Discipline problems
• Loss of job
• Industrial losses
• Losses to society

The treatment of alcohol dependence includes

• Detoxification
• Medications to Decrease Craving
• Management of Relapse,
• Group Therapy
• Family Counseling

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