EtOH is a term commonly used by academic researchers and those who work in the medical field to refer to ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, a primary component of alcoholic drinks. EtOH is characterized by a colorless and clear liquid which the body can absorb quickly once it reaches the gastrointestinal tract.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled ethanol as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This means that ethanol is safe to be used in food products. However, since ethanol is a pure form of alcohol, the FDA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms regulates it.
In the United States, alcohol is one of the most popular psychoactive substances that is prone to abuse. Other psychoactive substances that are prone to abuse are amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, cannabis, and LSD.
According to government data, 86.4 percent of Americans aged 18 years old and older experienced drinking alcohol at least once in their lives, while 70.1 percent have drunk the past year.
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The rate of binge drinking and excessive alcohol use remains disturbing with 26.9 percent of Americans aged 18 years and older who have engaged in binge drinking in the past month, according to the data published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The abuse of alcohol is tied to the 88,000 people dying annually due to alcohol-related causes.
The Popular Types of Ethyl Alcohol
As an ingredient of alcoholic drinks, EtOH can be found in beer, liquor, and wine. Aside from being used in alcoholic drinks, ethanol is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a key ingredient in medicines, scents, as well as in colorings and food flavorings. It is also used in paints, varnishes, and fuel. Here are the most popular types of ethyl alcohol:
Beer
Despite the one percent drop in the volume sales of U.S. beers in 2017, beer remains a popular alcoholic beverage with $111.4 billion overall beer market, according to the Brewers Association, Boulder Co. Beer’s alcohol percent ranges from four to six percent. It is made of water, grain, hops, yeast, and malt. While there are various types of beer that have different levels of alcohol content, a study published in the Lancet medical journal revealed that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Wine
Wine’s standard alcohol content is at 11.6 percent. In the US, the alcohol content of most wines ranges from nine to 14 percent. Meanwhile, brandy or premium wines often have more than 14 percent alcohol content. A report by Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division revealed this year that the total volume of wine sales grows from two to four percent in dollars and only one percent in total volume.
Spirits
Spirits are alcoholic drinks that are produced through distillation of fruits or vegetables. Generally, spirits have higher alcohol by volume (ABV) compared to beer or wine. It has around 20 percent to 90 percent ABV. Alcohol proof, on the other hand, is measured as twice the percentage of the ABV.
What is Grain Alcohol?
Ethanol is typically a grain alcohol. It is produced by fermenting finely ground grains including barley, corn, rye, and wheat. These types of alcohol range from 75 percent to 95 percent alcohol. For instance, Bacardi, a type of rum has 75 percent alcohol, while Everclear can have as much as 95 percent of alcohol. A report published in 2014 showed that more than a dozen states decided to ban 190-proof grain alcohol, which experts say is highly dangerous.
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How Does Ethanol Affect the Body
Ethanol affects the central nervous system as it is a depressant. It can affect the brain by binding with the GABA receptors and causes sedative effects. Ethanol consumption is fatal once the blood alcohol level is at 0.4 percent, which is just 0.1 percent away to the blood level that is commonly fatal.
Surprisingly, studies show that even alcohol level that is less than 0.1 percent can already cause intoxication. Alcohol drinkers may be knocked unconscious even at 0.3-0.4 percent alcohol consumption. The byproduct once the alcohol breaks down is highly toxic and increases a person’s risk of developing liver cirrhosis. Alcohol abuse can also cause diseases such in the brain, immune system, heart, liver, and pancreas.
Here are some of the consequences of EtOH abuse:
- Fibrosis
- Irregular heartbeat
- Cancer
- Stroke
A person who has alcohol use disorder also experience loss of muscle control, disruptive sleep patterns, and mood swings. Aside from the physical effects, alcohol abuse can lead also lead to problems affecting a person’s relationship with his family, co-workers, and friends. Once a person develops alcohol use disorder, he or she will have no control over the urge to seek alcohol despite its health effects.
If you or someone you know has substance use disorder, get immediate treatment from an alcohol rehab that can immediately commence the treatment process using evidence-based methods and luxurious amenities.
Want more information about how Chapters Capistrano can help? Feel free to call 949-276-2886 and one of our addiction specialists will help get the information and help you need.
