Alcohol intoxication (also known as drunkenness or being drunk or inebriated) is a physiological state occurring when an organism has a high level of ethanol Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a powerful psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. It is best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages and thermometers. In common usage, it is often referred to simply as in its bloodstream, or when ethanol otherwise causes the physiological effect known as drunkenness. In humans, common symptoms A symptom is a departure from normal function or feeling which is noticed by a patient, indicating the presence of disease or abnormality. A symptom is subjective, observed by the patient, and not measured may include slurred speech, euphoria Euphoria is medically recognized as a mental/emotional state defined as a profound sense of well-being. Technically, euphoria is an affect, but the term is often colloquially used to define emotion as an intense state of transcendent happiness combined with an overwhelming sense of contentment. The word derives from Greek εὐφορία, ", impaired balance, poor coordination, flushed face, reddened eyes, reduced inhibition Social inhibition is a conscious or unconscious constraint or curtailment by a person of a process or behaviour that the person may consider objectionable in a social setting. Inhibitions can serve necessary social functions, reducing or preventing certain antisocial impulses from being acted on, and erratic behavior. In severe cases, drunkenness can cause loss of muscle coordination (ataxia Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum. Several possible causes exist for these patterns of neurological dysfunction. The term &), coma In medicine, a coma is a profound state of unconsciousness. A person in a coma cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to pain, light or sound, does not have sleep-wake cycles, and does not take voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma can be described as comatose, and even death Death is the termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. The word refers both to the particular processes of life's cessation as well as to the condition or state of a formerly-living body.

Law

Laws on drunkenness vary between countries. In the United States ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, for example, it is a criminal offense for a person to be drunk while driving a motorized vehicle (driving under the influence Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, is the act of operating a vehicle (including bicycle, boat, airplane, wheelchair, or tractor) after consuming alcohol or other drugs. It is a criminal offense in most countries) or operating an aircraft.

The blood alcohol content Blood Alcohol Content or Blood Alcohol Concentration is the concentration of alcohol in a person's blood. BAC is most commonly used as a metric of intoxication for legal or medical purposes. It is usually expressed in terms of volume of alcohol per volume of blood in the body. That is a unit-less ratio commonly expressed as parts per million (PPM) (BAC) for legal operation of a vehicle A vehicle is a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo. Most often vehicles are manufactured (e.g. bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, boats, and aircraft) is typically measured as a percent of unit volume of blood. This ranges from a low of 0.00% in Romania and the United Arab Emirates, to 0.05% in Australia and Germany, to 0.08% in the United Kingdom and the United States.^[1]

Additionally, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration The Federal Aviation Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation with authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S. (National Airworthiness Authority). The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 created the group under the name "Federal Aviation Agency", and adopted its current name prohibits crewmembers Aircrew are the personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of the crew depends on the type of aircraft as well as the purpose of the flight from performing their duties with a BAC greater than 0.04%, within 8 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage or while under the influence of alcohol.^[2][3]

Minesites in Australia enforce a 0.0% BAC while on shift, thus regularly conduct alcohol tests across all personnel, colloquially known as "blowing in the bag".

In the UK and US, police can arrest those deemed too intoxicated in a public place for public intoxication Public intoxication, also known as drunk and disorderly conduct, is a summary offense in many countries rated to public cases or displays of drunkenness. Public intoxication laws vary widely from country to country, "drunk and disorderly" or even "drunk and incapable". There are often legal restrictions relating to increase sales of alcohol to intoxicated persons.^[4]

Religious views

Many religious groups permit the consumption of alcohol but prohibit intoxication. Some prohibit alcohol consumption altogether. In the Qur'an The Qur’an is the central religious verbal text of Islam, also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, Qur’ān, Coran or Al-Qur’ān. Muslims believe the Qur’an to be the verbal book of divine guidance and direction for mankind. Muslims also consider the original Arabic verbal text to be the final revelation of God,^[5][6][7] there is a prohibition on the consumption of grape A grape is a non-climacteric fruit that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, and grape seed oil. Grapes are also used in some kinds of confectionery-based alcoholic beverages, and intoxication is considered as an abomination in the Hadith Hadith are narrations concerning the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Hadith are regarded by traditional Islamic schools of jurisprudence as important tools for understanding the Qur'an and in matters of jurisprudence. Hadith were evaluated and gathered into large collections mostly during the reign of Umar ibn AbdulAziz during the. Islamic Islam (Arabic: الإسلام‎ al-’islām, pronounced [ʔislæːm] [note 1]) is a strictly monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur’an, a text considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Arabic: الله‎, Allāh), and by the Prophet of Islam Muhammad's teachings and normative example (which is called the Sunnah in schools of law (Madh'hab Madhhab is a Muslim school of law or fiqh (religious jurisprudence). In the first 150 years of Islam, there were many such "schools". In fact, several of the Sahābah, or contemporary "companions" of Muhammad, are credited with founding their own. The prominent Islamic jurisprudence schools of Damascus in Syria (often named) have interpreted this as a strict prohibition of the consumption of all types of alcohol and declared it to be haraam Haraam (often Haram) is an Arabic term meaning "forbidden". In Islam it is used to refer to anything that is prohibited by the faith. Its antonym is halal ("forbidden"), although other uses may be permitted.^[8]

Some Protestant Protestantism is one of the four major divisions within Christianity together with the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Roman Catholic Church. The term is most closely tied to those groups that separated from the Catholic Church in the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation Christian A Christian (pronounced /ˈkrɪstʃən/ ) is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians believe is the Messiah (the Christ in Greek-derived terminology) prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, and the son of God. Most Christians believe in the doctrine of denominations prohibit the drinking Drinking is the act of consuming water or a beverage through the mouth. Water is required for many of life’s physiological processes. Both excessive and inadequate water intake are associated with health problems of alcohol^{[citation needed]} due to Biblical passages which condemn it (for instance, Proverbs The Book of Proverbs is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The original Hebrew title of the book of Proverbs is "Míshlê Shlomoh" ("Proverbs of Solomon"). When translated into Greek and Latin, the title took on different forms. In the Greek Septuagint (LXX) the title became "paroimai paroimiae" ("Proverbs"). In 23:21,^[9] Isaiah The Book of Isaiah is a book of the Bible traditionally attributed to the Prophet Isaiah, who lived in the second half of the 8th century BC. In the first 39 chapters, Isaiah prophesies doom for a sinful Judah and for all the nations of the world that oppose God. The last 27 chapters prophesy the restoration of the nation of Israel. This section 28:1,^[10] Habakkuk The Book of Habakkuk is the eighth book of the 12 minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible. It is attributed to the prophet Habakkuk, and was probably composed in the late 7th century BCE. A copy of chapters 1 and 2 is included in the Habakkuk Commentary, found among the Dead Sea Scrolls 2:15^[11]), but others allow moderate use of alcohol^{[citation needed]}. Wine is an essential part of the historic Christian rite of communion (see Christianity and alcohol Throughout the first 1,800 years of church history, Christians consumed alcoholic beverages as a common part of everyday life and nearly always used wine in their central rite—the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. They held that both the Bible and Christian tradition taught that alcohol is a gift from God that makes life more joyous, but that). Proverbs 31:4–7 states a prophecy of King Lemuel The opening verse reads: "The words of king Lemuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him." The name occurs again in verse 4: "Give not to kings, O Lemuel, give not wine to kings ..." The discourse, which is an exhortation to chastity and temperance, appears to end with verse 9,

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.^[12]

In Buddhism, intoxication is discouraged in both monastics and lay followers. Lay followers^{[citation needed]} observe the Five Moral Precepts The Five Precepts constitute the basic Buddhist code of ethics, undertaken by lay followers (Upāsaka and Upāsikā) of the Buddha Gautama in the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. The Five Precepts are commitments to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication. Undertaking the five precepts is part of both lay of which the fifth precept forbids consumption of intoxicants substances (except for medical reasons). Monastic precepts are even stricter. In the Bodhisattva Vows The Sanskrit term Bodhisattva is the name given to anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated bodhichitta, which is a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. What makes someone a Bodhisattva is her or his dedication to the ultimate welfare of other beings, as expressed in the prayer: of the Brahma Net Sutra, observed by some monastic communities and even some lay followers, distribution of intoxicants is likewise discouraged, in addition to consumption.

Self-testing for intoxication

Many informal intoxication tests exist. Because they are self-tests, they are inherently unreliable and are not recommended as deterrents to excessive intoxication..

For example, in New England In one of the earliest European settlements in North America, Pilgrims from England first settled in New England in 1620, to form Plymouth Colony. Ten years later, the Puritans settled north of Plymouth Colony in Boston, thus forming Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. In the late 18th century, the New England colonies would be among the first North there is a test which should be considered an urban legend An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or a contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of apocryphal stories believed by their tellers to be true. As with all folklore and mythology, the designation suggests nothing about the story's factuality or falsehood, but merely that it is in non-institutional circulation, exhibits or folklore Folklore consists of culture, including stories, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs and so forth within a particular population comprising the traditions of that culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The academic and usually. Most commonly referred to as the Pinch Test or the Swipe Test, it requires the drinker to rub the thumb and forefinger [of each hand] from the top of the nose downward and outward across the nose, or alternatively across the cheeks to the chin (as if stroking a beard). The test is supposedly based upon one's perception of the rubbing. If the sensation of contact persists (i.e., if you still feel your fingers on your face after removing them), then you are not intoxicated. If the sensation does not persist, it is suggested that you stop drinking.

There also exist several breathalyzer A breathalyzer or breathalyser (U.K.) (a portmanteau of breath and analyzer/analyser) is a device for estimating blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath sample. Breathalyzer is the brand name of a series of models made by one manufacturer of these instruments (originally Smith and Wesson, later sold to National Draeger), but has become a units which are sold by various producers. Because they are most likely not the same models as those used by police The police are persons empowered to enforce the law, protect property and reduce civil disorder. Their powers include the legitimized use of force. The term is most commonly associated with police services of a state that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of responsibility. Police, it is advised that such devices be used only for personal reasons rather than for detecting one's ability to legally operate a motor vehicle.

Acute alcohol intoxication

Acute alcohol intoxication Acute alcohol intoxication can result from a high level of alcohol in the bloodstream, accompanied by extreme drunkenness. The term acute alcohol intoxication is used by healthcare providers, often in emergencies. Toxicologists also speak of alcohol intoxication to discriminate from other toxins researched in the field is synonymous with drunkenness, but context matters. The term acute alcohol intoxication is entrained in healthcare providers for use in the performance of their duties, often in emergencies. Toxicologists Toxicology is a branch of biology and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. It is the study of symptoms, mechanisms, treatments and detection of poisoning, especially the poisoning of people also speak of alcohol intoxication to discriminate from other toxins A toxin is a poisonous substance produced by living cells or organisms (although humans are technically living organisms, man-made substances created by artificial processes usually are not considered toxins by this definition). It was the organic chemist Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919) who first used the term 'toxin' researched in the field.

Treatment for acute alcohol intoxication may include:

• ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
• Additional medication A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease may be indicated for nausea Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an urge to vomit. An attack of nausea is known as a qualm, tremor A tremor is an involuntary, somewhat rhythmic, muscle contraction and relaxation involving to-and-fro movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal cords, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. In some people, tremor is a symptom of another, and anxiety Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components. These components combine to create an unpleasant feeling that is typically associated with uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry. Anxiety is a generalized mood condition that can often occur without an identifiable
• Dialysis In medicine, dialysis is primarily used to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure. Dialysis may be used for those with an acute disturbance in kidney function (acute kidney injury, previously acute renal failure) or for those with progressive but chronically worsening kidney function–a state known if the concentration is dangerously high (>400 mg%)
• Electrolytes In chemistry, an electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that make the substance electrically conductive. The most typical electrolyte is an ionic solution, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible
• Dextrose Glucose , a simple sugar (monosaccharide), is an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as a source of energy and a metabolic intermediate. Glucose is one of the main products of photosynthesis and starts cellular respiration. Starch and cellulose are polymers derived from the dehydration of glucose. The name "glucose" comes
• protecting the patient from aspirating gastric contents (choking on vomit)
• Thiamine Thiamine or thiamin or vitamin B1 , and named as the "thio-vitamine" ("sulfur-containing vitamin") is a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex. First named aneurin for the detrimental neurological effects of its lack in the diet, it was eventually assigned the generic descriptor name vitamin B1. Its phosphate derivatives are may be administered to prevent the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a manifestation of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, or beriberi. This is usually secondary to alcohol abuse. It mainly causes vision changes, ataxia and impaired memory, and is a treatment for chronic alcoholism Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disabling addictive disorder. It is characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker's health, relationships, and social standing. Like other drug addictions, alcoholism is medically defined as a treatable disease. The term ", but in the acute context is usually co-administered^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Alcohol and sex
• Blood alcohol content Blood Alcohol Content or Blood Alcohol Concentration is the concentration of alcohol in a person's blood. BAC is most commonly used as a metric of intoxication for legal or medical purposes. It is usually expressed in terms of volume of alcohol per volume of blood in the body. That is a unit-less ratio commonly expressed as parts per million (PPM)
• Get Your Sexy Back, a moderate drinking campaign
• Long-term effects of alcohol
• Short-term effects of alcohol

References

Notes

1. ^ Blood Alcohol Concentration Limits Worldwide
2. ^ Sec. 1.1 - General definitions.
3. ^ Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules
4. ^ http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/press/2007/february/booze-license-suspended-after-selling-alcohol-to-drunk-customers.en
5. ^ "Qur'an: 4:43". Usc.edu. http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/004.qmt.html#004.043. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
6. ^ "Qur'an: 2:19". Usc.edu. http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html#002.219. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
7. ^ Qur'an: 5:90 and Qur'an: 5:91
8. ^ Yilmaz, Ihsan (2004). "Post-Modern Muslim Legality and its Consequences". Muslim Laws, Politics And Society In Modern Nation States: Dynamic Legal Pluralisms In England, Turkey And Pakistan. Ashgate Publishing. p. 158. ISBN 978-0754643890. http://books.google.ca/books?id=4OrGYg31fi0C&pg=PA158&lpg=PA158&dq=Madhhab+alcohol&source=web&ots=8UerXa412R&sig=3DBBLlt_z5hpLftmCZcRTRtqfrQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result.
9. ^ "Proverbs 23:21". Net.bible.org. http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Pro&chapter=23&verse=21. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
10. ^ "Isaiah 28:1". Net.bible.org. http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Isa&chapter=28&verse=1. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
11. ^ "Habakkuk 2:15". Net.bible.org. http://net.bible.org/verse.php?book=Hab&chapter=2&verse=15. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
12. ^ "Proverbs 31:4–7, King James Version". http://kingjbible.com/proverbs/31.htm.

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