Alcohol and your health: Risks, benefits, and controversies

Alcohol seeps into the brain, affecting the different parts of your body’s motherboard as you drink more and more. Alcohol affects the brain and every part of the body on a cellular level. In addition to being the most commonly abused drug, alcohol is probably the most dangerous drug. Frequent drinking can lead to long-term psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, and increased risk of developing alcohol dependence. Individual differences such as genetics, mental health, and tolerance levels can significantly influence how alcohol affects a person.

If you plan on consuming alcohol, always arrange for a designated driver or alternative transportation. Driving under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidents, injuries, or even fatalities. Choose a responsible individual who will remain sober and ensure everyone’s safe return home.

The Concept of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Factors such as tolerance, body weight, and the rate of alcohol consumption can influence the severity of confusion and disorientation experienced. When it comes to the experience of being drunk, it is important to understand the different levels and effects that alcohol can have on an individual. Excessive intoxication significantly impairs judgment and decision-making abilities. Alcohol affects the brain by slowing down cognitive processes, inhibiting rational thinking, and distorting perception. This impairment can lead to poor decision-making, impaired problem-solving skills, and an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors. It becomes more challenging to assess potential dangers and make sound choices, which can have both immediate and long-term consequences.

At a .30 BAC, you’ll have very little comprehension of the symptoms of lesser BAC levels, but worse. You may feel nauseous and vomit at this level, it’s also possible to choke because your gag reflex is impaired. Reducing drinking, or even eliminating it altogether, can lower a person’s risk of these conditions and complications. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 70.1% of adults in the United States report drinking alcohol during the past year.

Lifestyle Quizzes

Alcohol acts as a depressant, affecting the central nervous system and altering brain function. It can lead to changes in mood, behavior, and cognitive abilities. The journey of being drunk can encompass a range of experiences, from feelings of relaxation and euphoria to confusion, impaired judgment, and even loss of consciousness. Many people separate drinking into levels or “stages” of drunkenness.

Alcohol Poisoning

At a .20 BAC to a .25 BAC, your mental, physical, and sensory functions are super impaired. You’ll start to feel significantly confused and may need help to walk or stand. If you injure yourself, it’s common that you won’t feel the pain or do anything about it.

• Understanding how alcohol affects the body and the concept of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) can provide insights into the levels of being drunk.
• Typically, you’ll feel varying symptoms depending on how drunk you are.
• Predictably, the alcoholic beverage industry opposes more restrictive guidelines.
• You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.
• The brain is trained to depend on alcohol for the production of those feel-good endorphins.
• Emerge Healing Center is committed to providing evidence-based drug and alcohol treatment with a holistic and trauma informed approach.

For individuals with Alcoholism, their actual brain is addicted to the drug. Plus the more someone drinks, the more they need to feel the desired effects like euphoria and pleasure, increasing their chances of alcohol poisoning or death. Like drinking, Alcohol Use Disorder is common, and NSDUH estimates that 14.5 million people over the age of 12 have had the disorder. Tolerance to alcohol refers to the body’s ability to handle higher levels of alcohol without experiencing the same level of impairment. Legal limits for driving under the influence (DUI) are typically defined in terms of BAC. In the United States, for example, a BAC of 0.08% is considered the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle.

Moderate Intoxication

You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Not only is an intoxicated person a danger to themselves, but they’re also a danger to those around them. However, you lose your senses more when you’re drunk, and your inhibitions diminish. Although you may feel lightheaded with this amount of BAC, you won’t lose coordination. It helps to be familiar with the signs of being drunk so you know what to expect, when to stop it, and when to get help.

These mood swings are often unpredictable and can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings in social settings. The social environment plays a significant role in the experience of being drunk. Many people enjoy drinking in social settings, where the atmosphere can enhance feelings of happiness and reduce social anxiety. Alcohol acts as a disinhibitor, making individuals feel more relaxed and open in social interactions. When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it travels to the brain, where it affects neurotransmitters—chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells. The primary neurotransmitters influenced by alcohol are gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate.

• This stage is characterized by unresponsiveness and a high risk of choking or injury.
• When alcohol is consumed, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine.
• Conversely, individuals with a slower metabolism may experience a longer-lasting and more intense level of intoxication.
• The result is a higher blood alcohol content (BAC) and a higher risk of alcohol poisoning.
• This can lead to people acting more wildly or impulsively than they normally would.
• It’s important to note that the risk of accidents and injuries escalates as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises.
• At this stage, you may feel “tipsy” and have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.03% to 0.12%.

The effects of alcohol can last from a few hours to longer, depending on various factors, including the amount consumed, individual metabolism, and overall health. Over time, excessive alcohol use can cause liver health problems such as cirrhosis. Chronic drinking can even cause dementia by causing a dangerous vitamin B-1 (thiamine) deficiency. Factors like body weight, metabolism, and even medications can change how quickly you feel the effects. What might leave one person tipsy after a single drink could take two or three for someone else.

More Questions about Treatment?

If you’re new to drinking and feeling drunk, it’s important to know information surrounding alcohol and its effects. Being educated can not only help you enjoy responsibly but possibly save an individual’s life or save them from a life of addiction. Sensitivity to alcohol varies among individuals and can be influenced by genetics and other factors. Some individuals may be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, experiencing a higher level of intoxication even with smaller amounts how does it feel like to be drunk compared to others. On the other hand, individuals with lower alcohol tolerance may experience more pronounced effects of alcohol even with smaller amounts.