• grams of ethanol/1 ml of blood
• .001 gram of ethanol/1 ml of blood= .10% BAC
• 0.08 BAC is considered LEGALLY INTOXICATED

STANDARD DRINK

• 1 standard drink= .6 oz of ethanol
• 1 standard drink/50 lbs of body weight
• 1.5oz of distilled spirits=5oz of wine=12oz of beer

A lack of restraint, which includes disregard for social conventions, impulsivity, and poor risk assesment. (symptom of alcohol sonsumption at 0.05 BAC)

• the disinhibition theory states that alcohol releases behavior normally inhibited by society, such as agression and sex, as a result of its depressant action on the brain.

(Dose dependent effects of ethanol)

LOW DOSE

0.05 BAC 

• lowered alertness
• feeling of euphoria
• light impairementof judgement
• disinhibition

(DOSE DEPENDENT EFFECTS)

MODERATE DOSE

0.08 BAC Legally intoxicated

0.10 BAC 

-impaired motor coordination

-slowed reaction times

-gross judgement impairement

(DOSE DEPENDENT EFFECTS)

High Dose

0.2 BAC

-severe motor disturbances

-severe sensory disturbances

-memory deficits

(DOSE DEPENDENT EFFECTS)

VERY HIGH DOSE

.3 BAC: stupor and confusion

.35 BAC: surgical anesthesia

.40: unconsciousness

LD50 by respiratory depression

Based on the therepeutic index,

is ethanol considered a dangerous drug?

YES!!!!!

ED50:0.05 BAC

LD50:0.40 BAC

Pharmacokinetic characteristics of ethanol

• its lipid soluble enough to be easily obsorbed
• easily gets through blood brain barrier
• but not lipid soluble enough to dissolve into fat so it circulates until its metabolized

Ethanol Absorption

10% is absorbed by the stomach

90% is absorbed by the small intestine

• duration in the stomach can effect the onset of intoxification

-food: food slows down absorption

-carbonation: carbonated beverages are absorbed more quickly than non-carbonated beverages.

Metabolism

ethanol--->acetaldehyde--->acetic acid--->h20 or cO2 alcohol dehydrogenase Aldehydrogenase       

• Stomach (≈10%-20%) via alcohol 

dehydrogenase in stomach

• Stomach metabolism is affected by:

-Duration of drug in stomach.
-Amount of alcohol dehydrogenase

• Liver (≈ 80% - 90%) via alcohol dehydrogenase 

and other enzyme systems.

• First pass metabolism eliminates ≈ 40% of 

ethanol.

ELIMINATION

• BAC drops about 0.015 points / hour 

• Approx. 1/4 drink for every 50 pounds of 

body weight.

drops about75caloriesin each half ounce

How does duration in the stomach affect the absorption and metabolism of ethanol? 

Alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed. Since the metabolism of alcohol is slow, consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and intoxication.

it is

glutamate antogonist

gaba agonist

• Ethanol has a VERY low potency.

• Moderate dose of 30 grams. 

• 1500X less potent than cocaine.

Two sources of first pass metabolism of ethanol. 

Ethanol and antidiuretic hormone. 

– overdose effects.

• Severe alcohol poisoning can be fatal!

• Call 911 when loss of consciousness 

is accompanied by any of these…

• Cold, clammy, or bluish skin.

• Vomiting 

• 10 seconds or more between 

breaths.

minor withdrawal syndrome due to the body's readjustment to a nonalcohol state. (homeostasis)

appears about 4-12hours

symptoms include: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, fatigue, and thirst

Possible causes of Hangovers

• Toxic byproducts of ethanol metabolism.

• Acetaldehyde

• Congeners

• Dehydration

• Digestive Tract Irritation

• Sleep Deprivation

• Low Blood Sugar

• Cerebral Vasodilation

toxic effects due to long term heavy ethanol consumption. 

• Liver Disease

• Alcohol-Related Fatty reversible

Liver

• Alcoholic Hepatitis:inflammation and death of liver cells, jaundice causedby bile

• Cirrhosis (scarring):life threatening, eigth leading cause of death by disease; not reversible

• ≈75% of alcohol 

related deaths. 

• Brain Damage - Heavy, chronic use 

probably leads to death of brain cells.

Wernicke’s Disease

• Confusion and deficits of coordination.

• Caused by a vitamin (thiamin) deficiency.

• Korsakoff’s Psychosis

• Loss of memory for recent and new 

events.

• Confabulation: a fabrication of events, due to the inability to recall.

• Damage to most other organs.

• Heart

• Pancreas

• Sex Hormone Production

• Cancer, especially when combined with 

tobacco use.

• Harm to the fetus.

• What’s heavy ethanol consumption?

• Average of 3 or more drinks per day for 

males; 2 or more drinks per day for females

• 1-2 drinks a day might prevent heart disease and 

strokes.

• Reduces blood clotting.

• Raises HDL cholesterol.

• Psychological benefits?

selfconfidence relaxation