An alcoholic beverage is a drink that contains ethanol, a type of alcohol that acts as a drug and is produced through the process of fermentation. Drinking alcohol plays an important social role in many cultures.

Alcohol is a depressant, which in low doses causes euphoria, reduces anxiety, and increases sociability. In higher doses, it causes drunkenness, stupor, unconsciousness, or death. Long-term use can lead to drinking disorders and an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and physical dependence.

Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in the world, and about 33% of all humans currently drink alcohol. It is by far the most common drug to encounter in the party scene. Unlike many other recreational drugs, alcohol is legal in most countries.

Alcohol is usually found in liquid form, and is consumed orally. Usually it is not pure alcohol that is consumed, but rather a beverage containing alcohol.

The below scale of BAC levels indicates the level of intoxication the average drinker will experience. Generally speaking, one drink leads to around a 0.02% blood alcohol level.

• 01 – 0.03%– This is the lowest measurable blood alcohol level. At this mild level of intoxication, you may feel slightly warmer and more relaxed.
• 04 – 0.06%– Your behavior will become exaggerated (speaking louder, gesturing more), you may begin to lose control of small muscles (resulting in things like blurrier vision), and your judgment will be impaired.
• 07 – 0.09%– Mild impairment of speech, vision, coordination and reaction times make it dangerous for you to drive.
• 10 – 0.12%– Obvious physical impairment and loss of judgment. Speech may be slurred.
• 13 – 0.15%– At this point, your blood alcohol level is quite high. You’ll be affected by blurred vision, loss of coordination and balance, and potentially dysphoria (anxiety or restlessness).
• 16 – 0.19%– The term “sloppy drunk” applies. Dysphoria will become stronger, and nausea may occur. Walking becomes difficult, and you may fall and hurt yourself.
• 20 – 0.29%– You’ll feel dazed, confused, and disoriented. Balance and muscle control have deteriorated, and you may need help walking. You may not notice if you injure yourself, as feelings of pain are numbed. Nausea and vomiting are likely, and an impaired gag reflex could cause you to choke on your own vomit. Blackouts occur at this blood alcohol level.
• 30 – 0.39%– This is a dangerously high blood alcohol concentration. Your potential for death increases, as does your heart rate and the likelihood of unconsciousness. You may experience irregular breathing and loss of bladder control.
• 40% and over– Your heart or breathing may stop. A coma or death by respiratory failure is likely.

Note: Effects will vary depending on the individual, and the amount consumed

Desirable effects – Feelings of relaxation, a sense of euphoria, improvement in mood, lowered inhibitions, more confident, more talkative, changes in hearing, vision and perception.

Undesirable effects – Nausea and vomiting, head pain, feelings of drowsiness, feelings of sadness, increased emotional sensitivity, increased aggression, a sense of giddiness, loss of coordination, slowed or slurred speech, changes in hearing, vision and perception, trouble focusing or making decisions, loss of consciousness or gaps in memory (often referred to as blacking out), loss of coordination.

Whether you are drunk or not is determined by your blood alcohol content (BAC). In South Africa, the BAC limit is 0.05%. Once you reach this level, you are legally considered intoxicated.

Generally speaking, one drink leads to around a 0.02% blood alcohol level. Alcohol is metabolized at a rate of 0.016% per hour.

This means that a single, “standard” alcoholic drink will on average be metabolized in around 1.5 hours. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t still be feeling its effects. How alcohol affects you, how drunk you get, and how long it lasts depends on several factors such as age, sex, body size, health conditions, medication and tolerance.

• In South Africa, a standard drink is defined as 300ml of 5% beer; 117ml of 13% wine; and 37ml of 43% spirits. The daily recommendation is to not consume more than two standard drinks.

How long you stay drunk for depends on how many drinks you have. Technically speaking, you could remain drunk indefinitely.

• Dehydration

• Alcohol Poisoning

• Impaired judgement (may lead to problematic choices/decisions)

• A hangover is the term that refers to the unpleasant symptoms that arise after heavy drinking. It is unclear whether a hangover results from alcohol’s direct effects, its aftereffects, or both.

  Physical symptoms of a hangover include:

  • Muscle aches
  • Dizziness/vertigo
  • Increased thirst
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Fatigue
  • Decreased ability to concentrate
  • Mood changes (depression, anxiety, etc.)
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Rapid pulse