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What is alcohol?
Alcohol is a general term for beverages made from fermented fruits, vegetables or grains. The sugars in these foods produce a strong-smelling, clear liquid called ethanol.
Nobody knows exactly when the first alcoholic beverage was made or used. But most researchers agree that the first case of fermentation probably happened by accident tens of thousands of years ago. Alcohol was first introduced to North America by European fur traders in the 1500s.
Today, there are many types of alcoholic beverages available in the international market. Some drinks are stronger than others. For example, beer usually contains 5 per cent alcohol (ethanol), while wine typically contains 12 per cent and spirits 40 per cent.
Alcohol is a depressant. This means it slows down activity in the brain and makes a person think, talk and move at a slower pace than usual.
How does alcohol work?
When a person drinks, alcohol is absorbed into their bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. It then travels through the body to the brain. There it slows down activity between the nerve cells on the brain’s “pleasure pathway.†This usually makes the person feel more relaxed. However, moderate amounts of alcohol can also make a person feel energized. Scientists are not sure why alcohol can create two opposite effects at the same time.
Alcohol has different effects on different people. It’s not just a matter of how many drinks a person consumes. Their blood alcohol content (BAC) is affected also by their size and gender. Other things that influence how alcohol will affect a person are:
ethnicity
drinking experience
mood
what’s going on around them when they’re drinking It takes about one hour for the effects of one standard drink to wear off. Two drinks take about two hours to wear off, and so on.
Why do people drink alcohol?
Alcohol is used in celebrations and religious ceremonies in many cultures around the world. In North America, many people consider drinking alcohol a normal part of celebrating a special event such as a wedding.
Some adults enjoy drinking because they like the taste of a particular alcoholic beverage. Others enjoy the relaxed feeling they get from having one or two drinks. Still others use alcohol as a kind of tool. They use it to unwind after work or to loosen up at a social gathering.
Some people drink alcohol out of habit. They’re used to drinking while doing everyday things such as eating dinner or watching the news. Just like smoking cigarettes can become part of a daily routine, drinking alcohol can become routine without a person meaning for it to happen. After time, a person may need alcohol to feel normal and to cope with daily life.
Each amounts to a Canadian “standard drinkâ€
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What are the risks and health effects of drinking alcohol?
One or two drinks can make a person feel more relaxed. But even light drinking can affect a person’s abilities. Their coordination and speech may be slower. And they may have problems with balance and vision. This is why it’s dangerous to drive a car after drinking even one drink. It’s also unwise to take a ride with a driver who’s been drinking.
If a person has too many drinks at one time, they may become drunk. A drunk person has less control over their body and behaviour. They may vomit or do embarrassing things they regret later. They may damage relationships with their friends and family. They may even take risks or do dangerous things that could affect them for a long time. For example, they could have a serious fall or get into a fist fight. Or they could have unprotected sex with someone they don’t really know or like very much. This could lead to an unwanted pregnancy or the spread of a sexually transmitted infection.
When is drinking a problem?
Many people think “problem drinking†is a term for people who consume heavy amounts of alcohol all day every day. But the truth is that half of all the problems or harms related to alcohol are caused by social drinkers. These people normally drink wisely but sometimes drink too much and make poor decisions. Alcohol is a problem when a person’s drinking patterns negatively affect their lives or the lives of others.
Even a small amount of alcohol is a problem when a person is:
mixing substances—combining alcohol with other drugs can lead to overdose.
operating a vehicle—drinking and driving, or riding with someone who is impaired, is dangerous.
pregnant or breastfeeding—alcohol can be transferred from a mother into the baby’s system. This can cause problems with the baby’s growth and brain development.
One sign of problem drinking is tolerance. This happens when it takes more and more alcohol for a person to experience the same physical effects.
Recommended low-risk maximums:
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People who drink regularly can develop another type of problem—dependence. This means they need alcohol to cope with daily life. People who develop a dependence on alcohol may feel anxious or experience signs of withdrawal—headaches, nausea and “the shakesâ€â€”within eight to 12 hours of having their last drink. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and may require medical assistance.
Drinking heavily over a long period of time can cause problems with relationships, money or the law. It can also cause health problems, such as stomach ulcers, liver disease, brain damage and cancer.
Fast facts about alcohol use in BC:
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Is drinking alcohol legal?
In BC, drinking alcohol is legal for people 19 and over. However, driving while drunk is illegal. Driving under the influence of even a small amount of alcohol is never advised. The legal limit while operating a vehicle is 0.08 per cent BAC, but the law does allow officers to charge certain drivers registering a 0.05 per cent BAC.
What to do if you or someone you know is experiencing a problem with alcohol.
For information on treatment options and resources throughout BC, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service at 1–800–663–1441. In Greater Vancouver, call 604–660–9382.
For information on ways to help yourself with a substance use problem, see the “Tips†section of the Here to Help website: www.heretohelp.bc.ca. The website also features detailed information on substances and mental health disorders.
You can also find information on a wide variety of substance use issues on the Centre for Addictions Research of BC website: www.carbc.ca.
