Alcohol

A colorless volatile flammable liquid, C₂H₅OH, synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs, cleaning solutions, explosives, and intoxicating beverages. Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol.

Alcoholic

A person with the chronic disease or illness of alcoholism.

Alcoholism

A disease or illness that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. Symptoms include craving, impaired control, physical dependence, and increased tolerance.

Alcohol Abuse

A pattern of problem drinking that results in health consequences, social problems, or both. Different from alcoholism or alcohol dependence.

Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a serious - sometimes deadly - result of consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol. When your body absorbs too much alcohol, it can directly impact your central nervous system, slowing your breathing, heart rate and gag reflex. This can lead to choking, coma and even death. To find out more about the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and about what you should do if you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning click here.

Detoxification

The process of safely getting alcohol out of one's system.

Intoxicated

Affected temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, esp. when excited or stupefied with liquor.

Synonymous with drunk and inebriated

MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

A 501(c)(3) non-profit grass roots organization with more than 400 entities nationwide. MADD is not a crusade against alcohol consumption - MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. To visit their website click here.

Proof

Proof is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. Therefore, 100 proof is 50% alcohol. 200 proof is 100% alcohol. Most hard liquors come in 80 proof, i.e. 40% alcohol by volume. This was originally derived from trying to prove whether whiskey good or not.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)

Formerly Students Against Driving Drunk), is a student-lead organization that promotes healthy living for young adults. The website provides a ton of information, and not just alcohol-related. To visit their website click here.

The Standard Measure of Alcohol

In the United States, a standard drink has about half an ounce (13.7 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in:

• 12 ounces of regular beer or wine cooler (Usually 1 bottle)
• 8 ounces of malt liquor
• 5 ounces of wine (About a glass)
• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or “liquor” (About a shot)

Source

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/terms.htm

http://www.carlton.srsd119.ca/chemical/Proof/proving_whiskey.htm

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/addiction/alcoholism-alcohol-addiction/possible-outcomes/alcohol-poisoning?msc=S28342

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/suba/alco/glossary.jsp

http://www.sadd.org/

http://www.madd.org/

Do you drink too much, or does someone you know excessively drink?

It can be very hard to tell if you or someone you know has a drinking problem. This quiz asks a few questions about your drinking habits, and can give you an idea of whether or not you may be at risk for consequences of excessive drinking.

Take the quiz here.