This document discusses alcohol pharmacology and the effects of alcohol on the body. It begins with defining key terms like pharmacology, alcohol, and fermentation. It then outlines the physical effects of alcohol at different blood alcohol concentration levels. Various sections summarize the metabolism of alcohol in the liver, short and long term central nervous system and other organ effects, and the development of alcohol dependence. Tables show the percentages of students at Longwood University who report alcohol use and the citations used are listed at the end.
1) Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout total body water, reaching peak blood levels around 30 minutes after ingestion when the stomach is empty.
2) Metabolism of alcohol occurs mainly in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), accounting for 90-98% of ingested alcohol.
3) Acute alcohol intoxication can impair judgment and motor control at blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 20-30 mg/dL and cause gross intoxication over 50 mg/dL, presenting risks such as blackouts, vomiting, and aggression that require medical monitoring.
This document discusses alcohols, including ethanol and methanol. It covers the pharmacology of alcohol including its mechanisms of action in the body, metabolism, effects of acute and chronic consumption, toxicity, and treatment of alcoholism. Specifically, it describes how alcohol is absorbed and distributed in the body, metabolized primarily in the liver, and can cause intoxication, organ damage, and diseases with heavy long-term use such as cirrhosis and fetal alcohol syndrome.