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STREET NAMES: Booze,
Hooch, Liquor, Gin, Beer, Vodka, Scotch, Wine, Bourbon and
hundreds of others.
Other Forms: Moonshine, which is pure alcohol
and is illegal.
Alcohol, of course, is first and foremost a drug. More
specifically, it is a depressant. It is classified in the
same category as sedatives and hypnotics. It is a Central
Nervous System (CNS) depressant; it depresses the overall
function of the central nervous system to induce sedation,
drowsiness and coma. Alcohol ranks as the third leading
cause of death in the United States (9). Alcohol is the
most well known CNS depressant because of its widespread
use and legality; it is socially acceptable to drink. Technically
a food, ethyl alcohol is colorless, odorless, toxic, and
highly caloric. Soon after consumption, alcohol is absorbed
into the bloodstream and distributed through the body.
Parts of the anatomy adversely affected and potentially
impaired (though temporarily) by alcohol are the brain,
eyes, ears, and muscles. Extended consumption of large quantities
of alcohol can permanently damage the liver, stomach, heart
and brain. While there is a debate about whether alcoholism
is an illness and what causes it, all agree that alcoholism
is a condition of dependency on alcohol in which the drinker
is unable to decide whether to drink or when to stop drinking
and therefore usually becomes intoxicated.
Below is the description used in classification of Alcohol
Addiction and Alcohol Abuse used in the
DSM-IV (3) 305.00 Alcohol Abuse
School and job performance may suffer either from
the aftereffects of drinking or from actual intoxication
on the job or at school; child care or household responsibilities
may be neglected; and alcohol-related absences may occur
from school or job. The person may use alcohol in physically
hazardous circumstances (e.g., driving an automobile or
operating machinery while drunk). Legal difficulties may
arise because of alcohol use (e.g., arrests for intoxicated
behavior or for driving under the influence). Finally, individuals
with Alcohol Abuse may continue to consume alcohol despite
the knowledge that continued consumption poses significant
social or interpersonal problems for them (e.g., violent
arguments with spouse while intoxicated, child abuse). When
these problems are accompanied by evidence of tolerance,
withdrawal, or compulsive behavior related to alcohol use,
a diagnosis of Alcohol Dependence, rather than Alcohol Abuse,
should be considered.
303.90 Alcohol Rehabilitation
Physiological dependence on alcohol is indicated by evidence
of tolerance or symptoms of withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal
is characterized by the development of withdrawal symptoms
12 hours or so after the reduction of intake following prolonged,
heavy, alcohol ingestion. Because withdrawal from alcohol
can be unpleasant and intense individuals with Alcohol Dependence may continue to consume alcohol, despite adverse consequences,
often to avoid or to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal.
A substantial minority of individuals who have Alcohol Dependence never experience clinically relevant levels of alcohol withdrawal,
and only about 5% of individuals with Alcohol Dependence ever experience severe complications of withdrawal (e.g.,
delirium, grand mal seizures). Once a pattern of compulsive
use develops, individuals with dependence may devote substantial
periods of time to obtaining and consuming alcoholic beverages.
These individuals often continue to use alcohol despite
evidence of adverse psychological or physical consequences
(e.g., depression, blackouts, liver disease, or other sequelae).
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