ALCOHOL VOCABULARY Chapter 21

WHAT IS A STANDARD DRINK?

ETHANOL The type of alcohol in alcholic beverages. Powerful and addictive!

FERMENTATION The chemical action of yeast on sugars.

DEPRESSANT A drug that slows the central nervous system.

INTOXICATION State in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance, and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced.

BINGE DRINKING Drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting.

ALCOHOL POISIONING A severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose.

SYMPTOMS Confusion, stupor Vomiting Seizures Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute) Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths) Blue-tinged skin or pale skin Low body temperature (hypothermia) Unconsciousness ("passing out"), and can't be woken

What Happens to Your Body When You Get Alcohol Poisoning? Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex (which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. It is common for someone who drank excessive alcohol to vomit since alcohol is an irritant to the stomach. There is then the danger of choking on vomit, which could cause death by asphyxiation in a person who is not conscious because of intoxication. You should also know that a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can continue to rise even while he or she is passed out. Even after a person stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE A condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally.

PHYSIOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE A condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug.

ALCOHOL ABUSE The excessive use of alcohol.

ALCOHOLISM A disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol.

(BAC) BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage.

(FAS) FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME A group of alcohol related birth defects that include physical and mental problems.

Alcoholic An addict who is dependent on alcohol.

RECOVERY The process of learning to live an alcohol-free life.

SOBRIETY Living without alcohol.