Arielle Cruz
Alcohol is a substance that can have a wide range of effects on the human body and mind. While it is legal and widely consumed in many parts of the world, alcohol can be addictive and harmful when not used in moderation. Alcohol use disorder is a recognised condition, and excessive drinking can lead to negative consequences for one's health, finances, and personal relationships. Understanding the effects of alcohol is crucial for making informed decisions about its consumption and for addressing any related issues that may arise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol use disorder | Alcohol is both a stimulant and a depressant |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | Alcoholics Anonymous is not the grandfather of successful alcohol treatment |
| Alcohol absorption | About 20% of alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach, while the other 80% passes into the small intestine, where absorption is faster |
| Alcohol and driving | Alcohol reduces driving ability, and the more alcohol consumed, the higher the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) |
| Alcohol and health | Drinking alcohol can lead to harmful short-term and long-term effects on physical and mental health |
| Alcohol and pregnancy | Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can harm the fetus |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol use disorder and depression
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depressive disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. They co-occur more often than expected by chance. The co-occurrence of AUD and depressive disorders is associated with greater severity and a worse prognosis for both disorders. This includes a heightened risk for suicidal behaviour.
People who experience major depressive symptoms may start to rely on alcohol to ease their symptoms and feel better, but over time, this can develop into a full-blown alcohol use disorder. Even in instances where a person doesn’t develop an AUD, self-medication may not be helpful long-term, as it is associated with increased psychiatric comorbidity, higher stress levels, and a lower health-related quality of life.
Research has also associated AUD with a risk not only for the onset of depressive symptoms but also for depressive disorders. Alcohol can not only lead to depressive symptoms but also worsen them in people who already experience them or in those who may be genetically predisposed to depressive disorders. If depressive symptoms are caused by drinking alcohol, they may stop after significantly reducing or stopping alcohol use. However, research also suggests that substance-induced depression may turn into independent depression should symptoms persist following the cessation of alcohol or other substances of abuse.
Depressed study participants who were heavy drinkers displayed worse outcomes from depression treatment. Even mild to moderate amounts of alcohol appeared to worsen depression, with depressed patients who drank low levels of alcohol (less than 1 oz per day) experiencing worse outcomes from pharmacological treatments. Alcohol use disorders may be more prevalent in people who also have depression than in the general population.
Treatment for AUD and depression often includes an integrated approach to simultaneously address both disorders. Treatment options include pharmacologic and behavioural treatments, as well as support groups and community-based organizations.
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Prenatal alcohol exposure
Alcohol can pass from the pregnant woman to the fetus and affect its development. Binge drinking and heavy drinking during pregnancy put the developing baby at the greatest risk for severe problems. However, even small amounts of alcohol can cause harm, with studies showing that drinking as little as one beer a day during pregnancy has been associated with decreased birth weights and spontaneous abortions. Alcohol use during pregnancy is also associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The effects of alcohol on the fetus can vary depending on the stage of pregnancy and the amount of alcohol consumed. Alcohol can disrupt fetal development at any stage, even before a woman knows she is pregnant. The earlier in the pregnancy a woman consumes alcohol, the greater the risk to the fetus, with the first trimester being the most critical period. The more alcohol a woman consumes, the more it accumulates in her bloodstream, increasing the risk of harm to the fetus.
It is important to note that not all babies will be affected by alcohol during pregnancy, but it is impossible to know which babies will be affected. This uncertainty underscores the importance of abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy. Women who need help quitting alcohol during pregnancy can seek support from their healthcare providers, local Alcoholics Anonymous groups, or treatment centers specializing in alcohol abuse. Early identification of FASD is critical for the well-being of affected individuals and their families, as it can maximize the effectiveness of treatment and support networks.
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Alcoholics Anonymous
The organisation is based on the fellowship of recovering alcoholics and has developed a very successful 12-step program that combines self-help with a spiritual foundation. The 12 steps are influenced by the Oxford Group's six steps and various readings, including William James's 'The Varieties of Religious Experience'. The steps begin with an acknowledgment of powerlessness over alcohol and the unmanageability of life due to alcoholism. Subsequent steps emphasise rigorous honesty, including the completion of a "searching and fearless moral inventory", sharing the inventory with a trusted person, making amends to individuals harmed, and engaging in regular prayer or meditation. The Twelve Steps outline a suggested program of ongoing drug rehabilitation and self-improvement. A key component involves seeking alignment with a personally defined concept of "God as we understood Him".
In 1939, the fellowship published 'Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism', colloquially known as the "Big Book". This publication introduced the twelve-step program and provided the basis for the organisation's name. Later editions of the book expanded its subtitle to reflect the inclusion of "Thousands of Men and Women".
The development of AA was influenced by Rowland Hazard's journey from Carl Jung's psychiatric treatment to spiritual conversion through the Oxford Group. In 1926, Hazard sought treatment for alcoholism with psychiatrist Carl Jung in Zurich, Switzerland. After resuming drinking following treatment, Jung told Hazard that his only hope might be a "spiritual conversion" with a "religious group". Back in America, Hazard went to the Oxford Group, whose teachings were the source of such AA concepts as "meetings", "sharing" (public confession), "making restitution", "rigorous honesty", and "surrendering one's will and life to God's care".
Bill W. and Dr. Bob started working with alcoholics at the Akron City Hospital. One patient, who soon achieved sobriety, joined them, and together, these three men formed the foundation of what would later become AA. In late 1935, a new group of alcoholics began forming in New York, followed by another in Cleveland in 1939. Over four years, these three initial groups helped around 100 people achieve sobriety.
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Alcohol metabolism
Once alcohol is swallowed, it is not digested like food. A small amount is absorbed by the tongue and the mucosal lining of the mouth, after which it is absorbed into the bloodstream through the tissue lining of the stomach and small intestine. Food in the stomach can inhibit the absorption of alcohol by physically obstructing its contact with the stomach lining, or by absorbing the alcohol itself. The pyloric valve, which separates the stomach from the small intestine, closes when food is present in the stomach, particularly protein and fatty foods, further slowing down intoxication. The presence of food in the stomach also prevents alcohol from passing into the duodenum, which is the upper portion of the small intestine.
The amount of alcohol in the body is measured as blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A BAC of .08 percent is equivalent to 1/8 of a drop of alcohol to 1000 drops of blood. A person with a BAC of .30 percent may lapse into a coma, and a BAC of .40 percent can result in death. The liver metabolizes alcohol before carrying out its other functions, such as maintaining the body's blood sugar levels. As a result, a drop in blood sugar levels can cause hunger, nausea, and hangovers.
In addition to the liver, small amounts of alcohol are also metabolized in other tissues, including the pancreas and the brain, causing damage to cells and tissues. Additionally, some alcohol is metabolized to acetaldehyde in the gastrointestinal tract, exposing these tissues to its damaging effects.
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Alcohol and driving
The amount of alcohol in the body is measured as Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). A BAC of 0.30 percent may lead to a coma, and 0.40 percent can be fatal. At 0.08 percent, crash risk increases exponentially, and it is illegal to drive at this level in all 50 states of the US, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In Utah, the limit is even lower at 0.05. Even at lower levels, alcohol affects driving ability. In 2023, 2,117 people were killed in crashes where the driver had a BAC of between 0.01 and 0.07.
There are many factors that influence a person's BAC and, therefore, their level of impairment. These include gender, weight, the amount of alcohol consumed, the speed of consumption, and whether there is food in the stomach. Women tend to be more affected by alcohol than men, as they have lower levels of body water and higher levels of body fat, so alcohol remains in the blood for longer. The more alcohol consumed, and the quicker it is drunk, the higher the BAC. Food in the stomach will slow the absorption of alcohol.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous and impairing. Even in the lower stages of alcohol impairment, which may be undetectable to others, the drinker's ability to drive is compromised. As BAC increases, so does the likelihood of a crash. Drivers with a BAC of 0.08 are approximately four times more likely to crash than drivers who are sober.
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Frequently asked questions
That is not correct. Alcohol is both a stimulant and a depressant, depending on the levels and time after drinking.
That is not correct. About 5% of the alcohol consumed leaves the body through urine, sweat glands, and breathing.
That is not correct. Drinking alcohol can affect your finances. If you drink a lot or become dependent on alcohol, you could end up spending a lot of money.
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