chapter 8 - Alcohol

alcohol that functions as a central nervous system depressant

number of grams of alcohol found in 100 millilitres of solution

numerical value that is double the percentage of alcohol

alcohol production using yeast cells and some type of starch such as grains or fruit

alcoholic beverages produced through distillations

have a higher alcohol content than beer and wine

drink that contained 14 grams of 100 percent alcohol; equivalent to about 2/3 fluid ounce

amendment to U.S. Constitution that banned the sale and distribution of alcohol

number of grams of alcohol in a 100 ml volume of blood

enzyme that metabolizes 95% of alcohol

metabolite produced from enzymatic conversion of alcohol with alcohol dehydrogenase; produces noxious effects

drug elimination rates that do not occur in half-lives

• GABA
• glutamate
• endogenous opioid 
• dopamine
• serotonin
• endocannabinoid systems

less than 2 drinks per day for men; less than 1 for women

2 drinks per day for men; 1 drink per day for women

at least 4 drinks per day for men; at least 3 drinks per day for women

drinking occurs in a short period of time consisting of at least 5 drinks per day for men; at least 4 drinks per day for women: "5/4 rule"

2-3 times the number of drinks considered as binge drinking

• chronic light alcohol use increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels referred to as 'good cholesterol'
• chronic light alcohol use reduces pro-inflammatory cellular signaling that contributes to the thickening of artery walls
• acute alcohol administration disrupts blood platelets from bonding together to form clots (the immediate cause of heart attack and stroke)
• acute alcohol administration causes blood clots to separate by causing the activation of plasmin (enzyme responsible for degrading the bonding components between platelets in blood clots)

• weakening of behavioural control; poor risk assessment; engaging in dangerous behaviour; socially unconventional behaviour
• ex:// loud outburts or aggressive behaviour

tendency of users to develop an urge to consume more alcohol after having one or two drinks of alcohol; may be partly the result of alcohol's ability to disinhibit behaviour and to increase impulsive decision making

decision making without reflecting adequately on the consequences of those decisions

sustained attention on a stimulus despite the presence of distractors

important part of this hypothesis is that anxiety suggest have a greater likelihood to drink

dulled sense and poor cognitive funciton caused by overconsumption of alcohol

reversible drug-induced dementia characterized by stupor and anterograde amnesia; 0.25 BAC and higher

alcohol-induced inhibition of autonomic system functions, including breathing, heart functioning, and the gag reflex

low cardiac output from enlargement of the heart and dialtion of heart chambers cause dby heavy and chronic alcohol use

occurs after an acute heavy drinking episode constitude what is referred to as "holiday heart syndrome"

chronic liver disease characterized by tissue scarring and poor liver function

disorder characterized by physical and neurological abnormal development; widended distance between eyes; congenital heart defects, abnormal development of eyes and ears

condition caused by heavy, long-term alcohol use resulting in memory loss, false memories, poor insight, apathy and tremor

tolerance that occurs when alcohol's behavioural effects are weaker for declining blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) than for inclining BACs

increase in liver alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes resulting in an increased rate of alcohol metabolism; the increased heart rate of alcohol metabolism diminishes BAC levels

• reduced physiological responsiveness to alcohol's pharmacological actions
• occurs with glutamate NMDA receptors

reduced behavioural impairment to alcohol

increase in alcohol's efficacy, especially its reinforcing effects

alcohol addiction that occurs at age 25 or older; low genetic risk; exhibits high psychosocial risk

alcohol addiction that occurs before age 25; exhibits high genetic risk; has traits associated with poor impulse control

alcohol withdrawal syndrome characterized by hallucinations, trembling, confusion, disorientation, and agitation

12 step therapeutic program for alcohol addiction that encourages drinking abstinence for its anonymous members

• producing aversive effects
• weakening effects
• reducing craving

treatment for alcohol addiction that inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase enzume activity, the enzyme that breaks acetaldehyde down into inactive metabolites

opioid receptor antagonist approved for treating alcohol addiction

acts on GABA and NMDA receptors

• acute alcohol withdrawal 
• buildup of acetaldehyde after alcohol consumption
• acetate accumulation
• direction action by alcohol
• overconsumption of other chemicals in alcoholic drinks