How long does alcohol stay in your system? Read on to learn more about potential side effects and treatment options for alcohol use.
In order to avoid binge drinking, men are advised to not have any more than five drinks in two hours. For women, this number is four. Alcohol tends to affect women more quickly than it does men, due to overall body mass and how alcohol enters the bloodstream.
Alcohol can have a significant impact on parts of the human brain that perform intricate functions. Alcohol releases dopamine in the brain, resulting in euphoria and happiness while ingesting alcohol. However, this feeling can quickly cause dependence, as many people continue to drink to create this feeling. This, in turn, can lead to addiction as well.
Alcohol abuse is also known as alcohol use disorder or alcoholism. Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and it kills an estimated 95,000 people each year. Approximately 65% of these figures are men. Tobacco is the first-leading cause followed by poor diet and physical inactivity.
Alcohol-related deaths among men account for 7.7% of all global deaths, compared to 2.6% of all deaths among women. In 2016, total alcohol consumption per capita among male and female drinkers worldwide was 19.4 liters of undiluted alcohol for males and 7.0 liters for females.2
While alcohol starts working at various times for different people, in most cases, a healthy person will feel the effects of a drink within 15-45 minutes. As soon as an individual takes in the first drink, the alcohol starts to work towards their bloodstream.
There are various ways to determine if someone is drunk. As a person drinks more and more, the visible signs of intoxication, along with the dangerous physical effects, worsen. Some of the signs and symptoms include:3
It’s important to note the signs of being drunk, as if you drink too much alcohol, you may require immediate medical attention.
Instruments such as breathalyzers can be used in an alcohol test to detect if a person has alcohol in their system.
The use of medicine inhibits the alcohol absorption process in the body. Other than medicine, many other substances, such as illicit drugs, also influence the rate of absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream by the body.
Alcohol abuse can have severe implications on an individual. It can lead to health issues, long-lasting illness, and sometimes death. Alcohol addiction also affects overall behavior, directly leading to events such as violence and accidents. There are two major effects of alcohol abuse, which are alcohol poisoning and alcohol withdrawal.
Alcohol poisoning is the act of drinking toxic quantities of alcohol in a short amount of time. This condition can be severe and should be reported to a hospital once detected.
Below are some symptoms of alcohol poisoning:
Alcohol withdrawal refers to a situation whereby an individual tries to reduce the quantity of alcohol ingested after taking a large quantity for a long period of time. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from minor to severe and often depends on how much and how long one drank.
Some of the possible symptoms include:
With all the misconceptions about alcohol consumption, it is important to reach out to medical professionals if you or a loved one is experiencing addiction.
At San Diego Detox, we can help you achieve long-lasting, sustainable wellness and sobriety. Our compassionate, professional staff will help you along the detoxification process and equip you with the necessary tools and techniques to prepare you for a fulfilling life without the grapples of substance misuse.
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