The Dangers of Ethyl Alcohol Abuse
ETOH is a shorthand abbreviation for ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. This is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages that leads to intoxication.
Alcohol can be dangerous and potentially fatal when abused. It can have long-lasting consequences for your physical and mental health.
In this article, we’ll go over the different symptoms of alcohol abuse to help you understand when you, or someone you know, might need help. We’ll also discuss how it affects your quality of life alongside the various effects on your health.
What are the Symptoms of ETOH Abuse?
Alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol addiction or AUD. To determine if someone has the condition, doctors use the following questions from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 5 (DSM-5):
- In the last year, have you continued to drink more than you meant to? (Larger amounts of alcohol or over a longer period of time?)
- In the last year, have you found it difficult to limit your excessive drinking?
- In the last year, have you spent a lot of time obtaining, drinking, or recovering from alcohol?
- In the last year, have you felt cravings or strong urges to drink?
- In the last year, have you found yourself letting obligations and responsibilities like work, school, and relationships with friends and family fall to the wayside?
- In the last year, have you continued to consume alcohol despite alcohol-induced social or interpersonal issues caused by alcohol?
- In the last year, have you stopped or slowed down attending important social, work, or recreational activities due to alcohol use?
- In the last year, have you continued to use alcohol in situations that can cause you physical harm?
- In the last year, have you continued to use alcohol despite knowing it is harming you physically, psychologically, or socially?
- In the last year, have you developed a high tolerance for alcohol that requires you to drink more and more to achieve the same effect?
- In the last year, have you experienced any alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, irritability, or tremors (delirium tremens)?
Keep in mind that self-assessments are not an adequate substitute for a professional assessment. We still strongly recommend seeing a healthcare professional for medical guidance.
How to Determine the Severity of AUD
According to the DSM-5, AUDs are classified as mild, moderate, and severe. If you answered “yes” to:
- 2 to 3 questions, you may have a mild AUD
- 4 to 5 questions, you may have a moderate AUD
- 6 or more questions, you may have a severe AUD
What are the Risk Factors for Alcohol Abuse?
Multiple factors influence the likelihood of alcohol abuse. These factors can also influence the severity of alcohol’s adverse effects on the brain:
- Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption
- Genetics, family history, and education level
- Age and gender
- Overall health status
- The age at which you began drinking alcohol
- Risks of prenatal alcohol exposure
How Does Ethanol Affect the Body?
People usually consume ethyl alcohol in a diluted concentration. The concentration level is measured and known as alcohol proof. This is done mainly to improve taste and to lessen the severity of alcohol’s effects.
Normally your body can filter ethanol from the body. However, ethanol can be toxic if you drink alcohol faster than your liver can metabolize it.
Alcohol intoxication can lead to behavior changes, poor decision-making, and impaired motor functions. This can increase your risk of physical injury, property damage, and unprotected sex.
Short & Long-Term Effects of ETOH Abuse
ETOH substance abuse in the form of heavy drinking can lead to AUD, which can lead to dangerous and potentially fatal side effects.
The short and long-term side effects of ETOH abuse include:
| Short-term effects | Long-term effects |
| Blurred vision | Brain damage |
| Dizziness and confusion | Liver damage |
| Impaired judgment | High blood pressure |
| Loss of coordination and awareness | Heart disease |
| Poor memory | Pancreas issues |
| Nausea with or without vomiting | Increased risk of cancers |
| Dehydration | Weakened immune system |
| Slurred speech | Learning problems |
| Risky sexual behaviors | Social, mental, and financial problems |
| Injuries (such as car crashes and drowning) | Alcohol use Disorder (AUD) |
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What are the Dangers of Alcohol Consumption?
Moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe, depending on your health and tolerance. However, frequent drinking can lead to various physical and mental effects.
Some of these side effects can be dangerous and potentially irreversible. These include:
Physical Side Effects of Alcohol Use
Alcohol lowers the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infections, such as the common cold and flu, pneumonia, and tuberculosis.
Other side effects include:
- Increased tolerance and dependency
- Fatty liver, cirrhosis, and alcoholic hepatitis
- Irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure
- Weak heart muscles and thin blood
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and an enlarged heart
- Weaker muscular and skeletal systems
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Gastritis
- Death
Lastly, women who regularly consume alcohol have a greater risk of infertility and decreased menstruation. Drinking during pregnancy can also lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), miscarriage, stillbirth, and developmental problems.
Mental Side Effects of Alcohol
Excessive alcohol use also leads to mental health conditions. A drinking-related condition is also known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder.
These include:
- Clinical depression and persistent depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorder and alcohol-induced anxiety
- Social phobia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic disorder
- Increased risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation
What are Alcohol’s Long-Term Effects on the Brain?
Alcohol increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin production. This results in elevated mood, relaxation, sedation, and even pain reduction.
However, a study from 1985 to 2015 says that even moderate drinking over extended periods can lead to brain shrinkage. Regularly drinking four or more alcoholic drinks daily increases your risk of hippocampal shrinkage by almost six times compared to non-drinkers.
This is because alcohol dehydrates tissues, and consistent dehydration can cause lasting damage to these sensitive areas. Additionally, consistent alcohol consumption can affect the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, resulting in:
- Memory problems
- Poor coordination
- Reduced cognitive performance
- Vision issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Low self-worth and confidence
- Mood swings
- Stress and anxiety
- Blackouts
Other Ways Alcohol Can Affect Your Life
Besides severely affecting your physical and mental health, alcohol can lead to social and legal problems. For example, underage drinking can result in learning problems and other serious health issues.
Over 10,000 people die from drunk driving accidents every year. A Driving under the influence (DUI) offense may cause you to lose your license, pay a hefty fine, or end up in jail. Most importantly, drunk driving puts everyone on the road in danger.
Finally, alcohol use has a direct, adverse effect on a person’s sleep quality. Alcohol addiction can lead to several long-term sleep problems, including insomnia.
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What is the Treatment for Alcohol Addiction?
There are various treatment options for alcohol abuse. However, these treatment options depend on the severity of your addiction and your needs.
Talk to a doctor or an addiction specialist to see what treatment options are best for you. Some options include:
- Medical detox: Medically supervised detox used to avoid harmful withdrawal effects.
- Inpatient treatment: Takes place at treatment centers for rehabilitation clinics offering 24/7 care and counseling.
- Outpatient treatment: A similar treatment program to inpatient rehab without needing to stay at a treatment facility.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Involves using medication, counseling, and therapy to treat addiction.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction.
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- Nehring et al. “Alcohol Use Disorder.” Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2022.
- Leeman et al. “Ethanol consumption: how should we measure it? Achieving consilience between human and animal phenotypes.” Addiction biology, 2010.
- Varghese J. & Dakhode S. “Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Various Systems of the Human Body: A Systematic Review.” Cureus, 2022.
- Wackernah et al. “Alcohol use disorder: pathophysiology, effects, and pharmacologic options for treatment.” Subst Abuse Rehabil, 2014.
- “Alcohol's Effects on Health.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2022.
- Kubota et al. “Alcohol consumption and frontal lobe shrinkage: study of 1432 non-alcoholic subjects.” J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 2001.
