Alcohol: What It Is & What It Does

Most people think of alcohol as a beverage, not a drug (the name "Beverage Industry" certainly encourages this thinking), but, in fact, the main ingredient - ethyl alcohol - is a drug as much as Valium or amphetamines. When a person becomes stuporous from consuming too much alcohol, we mistakenly refer to the condition as alcohol poisoning, rather than its appropriate name - drug overdose. The term alcohol poisoning is actually redundant because ethyl alcohol is an actual toxin.

Ethyl alcohol is a sedative hypnotic drug and is the active ingredient in all forms of alcoholic drinks, beer, liquor, wine. Although people refer to liquor as 'hard alcohol', the alcohol is the same as in the other drinks.

How Does the Body Eliminate Alcohol?

One of the most important things a drinker can know about alcohol is the process of its elimination from the body. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver. Ninety-five percent of the alcohol consumed is eliminated in this way. The liver metabolizes approximately one-half ounce per hour, the amount in one 12 oz. can of domestic beer, one ounce of 100 proof liquor, or 5-6 ounces of wine. Throwing-up, urinating, or sweating eliminates little to no alcohol from the body.

Why Do People Do Things While Drinking They Wouldn't Do Sober?

As the blood alcohol concentration rises, the drug affects brain function which, in turn, affects judgement, emotions, coordination, and, if the person continues to drink, voluntary and involuntary muscles. As brain functions become impaired, some people say or do things not normally part of their behavior. People may become insulting, angry, or tearful. Most people become happy because that is the reaction they expect.