Alcohol

This page offers a detailed overview of alcohol—from its basic facts and production, to consumption methods, effects, health implications, dependency issues, detox pathways, relapse prevention medications, and legal aspects.

Fact Sheet | Drinks Diary | Blue Light Manual | Units Calculator

🔍 Drug Facts: Alcohol

Also Known As: Booze, bevvie, juice, sauce, alcopops, beer, wines, spirits.

What It Is: Alcohol used in beverages is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Other forms (e.g., methanol) are highly toxic.

Production: Alcohol is produced when yeast metabolizes sugar. It is derived from fermenting grains, fruits, or vegetables and may be further processed through distillation.

📏 Strength, Measurement & Risks

Alcohol Strength: Measured in **Alcohol by Volume (ABV)**. Example:

  • 1-litre bottle of vodka (40% ABV) contains **400ml of pure ethanol**.
  • **A UNIT** of alcohol = **10ml of pure ethanol**.
  • Wine: 125ml glass at 12% ABV ≈ **1.5 units**.
  • Spirits: 25ml single (40% ABV) ≈ **1 unit**.

Safe Drinking Limits: Current UK guidance suggests:

  • Low Risk: Up to **14 units per week** (spread over 3+ days).
  • Binge Drinking: **6+ units** (women) or **8+ units** (men) in one session.
  • High Risk: **35+ units per week**.

🩺 Alcohol-Related Health Risks

  • Short-Term: Loss of coordination, nausea, blackouts, alcohol poisoning.
  • Long-Term: Liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, alcohol-related brain damage, cardiovascular disease.
  • Neurological: Worsens depression, anxiety, and memory issues.

⚕️ Alcohol Dependency & Withdrawal

Alcohol dependency is diagnosed based on withdrawal symptoms and loss of control.

  • Common Withdrawal Symptoms: Sweating, tremors, hallucinations, agitation.
  • Severe Symptoms: Seizures, delirium tremens (DTs) – a medical emergency.

Screening Tools:

  • AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test):
    • 0-7: Low risk
    • 8-15: Hazardous drinking
    • 16-19: Harmful drinking
    • 20+: Likely dependence – requires SADQ assessment.
  • SADQ (Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire): Determines withdrawal risk & detox needs.

🛠️ Detox Options

  • Community Detox: Uses Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) or Diazepam with medical supervision.
  • Inpatient Detox: Needed for **severe alcohol dependence**, history of seizures, or polydrug use.

💊 Relapse Prevention Medications

  • Acamprosate (Campral): Helps stabilize brain chemistry post-detox.
  • Naltrexone: Reduces cravings by blocking opioid receptors.
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse): Causes severe adverse effects if alcohol is consumed.
  • Nalmefene: Used for controlled drinking reduction, not abstinence.

🟠 Thiamine (Vitamin B1) & Brain Protection

Why It’s Needed: Prevents **Wernicke’s Encephalopathy & Korsakoff’s Syndrome**, severe alcohol-related brain disorders caused by thiamine deficiency.

  • Oral Thiamine: 50mg **four times daily (QDS)**.
  • Parenteral (IM/IV) Thiamine: Given in hospital for high-risk cases.

🤝 Psychosocial Support & Harm Reduction

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI): Helps explore ambivalence & encourage behavior change.
  • Harm Reduction: Spacing drinks, tracking units, alcohol-free days.
  • Blue Light Approach: Supports high-risk & treatment-resistant drinkers.

📚 Additional Resources