ALCOHOL

BEER, LIQUOR, WINE
ETHANOL

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All information sourced from DanceSafe.org

1. WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
   
2. HOW IS ALCOHOL USED?
3. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL?
4. WHAT IS THE DOSAGE OF ALCOHOL?
5. HARM REDUCTION TIPS FOR ALCOHOL.

WHAT IS ALCOHOL?

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• Liquid alcohol is ethyl alcohol, or ethanol
  
  
• Ethanol is a depressant drug.
  
  
• Alcohol is a natural product of fermentin sugars. It is usually made from grains such as hops, barley, rice and fruits, but it can also be made from other plants.
  
  
• The concentration of alcohol in drinks varies widely. Wine and beer have between 5% and 15%, while 'hard' liquor usually has up to 40%, and sometimes more.
  
  

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HOW IS ALCOHOL USED? 

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Alcohol is virtually always orally consumed.

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WHAT ARE THE
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL?

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• Low to moderate amounts can produce feelings of relaxation, lowered inhibitions, and increased sociability.
  
  
• Larger amounts can cause dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, slower reflexes, sleepiness, impaired judgment, dehydration and a hangover the next day.
  
  
• Overdoses can cause loss of motor control, black-outs, alcohol poisoning, temporary coma (passing out), and death.
  

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WHAT IS THE
DOSAGE OF ALCOHOL?

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EVERY INDIVIDUAL REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO EVERY CHEMICAL, this information is intended
to describe the range of dosages others report using and it should not be construed as a recommendation of any sort. Individuals can respond very differently to the same dosage.

WHAT IS SAFE FOR ONE CAN BE DEADLY
FOR ANOTHER.

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WHAT IS THE
DOSAGE OF ALCOHOL?

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• A standard drink is defined as 12 oz. (341 ml) of beer, 5 oz (142 ml) of table wine, or 1.5 oz (85 ml) of liquor.
  
  
• It is the amount of alcohol you drink, not the type of drink that affects you. It's always good
  to know the alcohol content of whatever you
  are drinking.
  
  
• Alcohol affects some people more or less strongly than others, and can affect the
  same person differently at different times. This depends on body weight, metabolism, tolerance from prior use, food in the stomach, and other factors.

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WHAT IS THE
DOSAGE OF ALCOHOL?

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• Know your own limits and pace yourself.
  
  A standard drink is metabolized out of
  your system in approximately 1.5 hours.
  
  
• At higher altitudes, alcohol can have a much greater effect than expected.
  
  
• Divide the proof number by two to determine the alcohol volume on a distilled beverage.*
  
  

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HARM REDUCTION
TIPS FOR ALCOHOL

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• For some people, alcohol is addictive. Tolerance can develop and withdrawal symptoms may include nervousness, tremors, seizures and hallucinations.
  
  
• Long term abuse can damage the liver, brain and other organs, and can result in severe mental and physical problems.
  
  
• Consuming too much alcohol at once can cause death through acute alcohol toxicity. "Drinking games" are especially dangerous as they can easily lead to overdoses.
  

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