 Alcohol
"Gateway Drug" - Depressant
Ethyl alcohol - also known as ethanol, the spirit in wine, is classified as a sedative-hypnotic drug. Addictive!
A BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) percentage of 0.08 in the U.S. defines being drunk.
A BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) percentage of 0.5 may cause coma & death.
Intoxication of alcohol is associated with violence, suicide, child and spouse abuse, respiratory depression, stupor, vomiting, predisposing to Mallory-Weiss Syndrome, hypoglycemia, cardiac arrhythmia, seizures.
Chronic ingestion is associated with liver cirrhosis & withdrawal symptoms (Delirium Tremens).
Two groups of alcohol drinkers are identifiable based on the pattern of drinking: the problem drinkers and the ones with severe alcohol dependence.
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