Facts about Alcohol

Alcohol is a clear thin odorless liquid. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is one of the few alcohol's that man can drink, but it never exists full strength in any alcoholic beverage. Ethyl alcohol is a sedative-hypnotic drug.

When someone drinks an alcoholic beverage it flows into the stomach where it does not stay for very long. Some of it is absorbed through the walls of the stomach into the bloodstream but most alcohol passes into the small intestine and then into the bloodstream and this circulates throughout the body. Alcohol's main effect is on the brain.
The Four Stages of Intoxication are:
  1. Emotional: Clouded thinking, poor judgement
  2. Confused: Staggering, moody, slurred speech
  3. In a Stupor: Unable to stand or walk
  4. In a Coma: Completely unconscious
People drink for different reasons. They may use alcohol as a substitute for personal relationships or in an attempt to avoid problems.
One simple unbreakable rule about alcohol and driving: DRINKING AND DRIVING JUST DON'T MIX.
The drink that helps you unwind also affects your motor ability, your judgment and the perceptions you need for safe driving.
Some general effects that can occur with alcohol are similar to anesthesia and sedative effects. The weight and sex of a person are related to the amount that can be consumed before effects are seen.
Alcoholism is a treatable disease, but a person with this problem must face the truth about their addiction and be determined to recover and ready to seek a solution. For help with alcoholism Alcohol Counseling and Alcohol Group Sessions are available through Cherokee Mental Health.