Drug:Alcohol
| Alcohol | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ethanol |
| Drug Class | Depressant |
| Aliases | Ethanol • Booze • Alcohol |
| ROAs | Oral |
| Oral | |
| Threshold | Varies greatly |
| Light | 1–2 standard drinks |
| Common | 2–4 standard drinks |
| Strong | 4–8 standard drinks |
| Heavy | 8+ standard drinks |
| Duration | 2–8 hours |
Alcohol
Overview
Alcohol (ethanol) is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances in the world. It acts primarily as a central nervous system depressant, producing relaxation, reduced anxiety, impaired coordination and disinhibition. At higher doses it causes significant impairment of judgment, memory and motor control while increasing the risk of accidents and alcohol poisoning.
Although socially accepted in many cultures, alcohol is also associated with a high burden of disease, dependence and accidental injury.
Subjective Effects
Physical Effects
- Relaxation
- Reduced coordination
- Dizziness
- Warm body sensation
- Nausea (higher doses)
- Vomiting
- Sedation
Cognitive Effects
- Disinhibition
- Increased sociability
- Reduced anxiety
- Impaired judgment
- Memory impairment (higher doses)
- Emotional changes
After Effects
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Reduced concentration
My Review
Overall Experience
I've always had an unusually high tolerance to alcohol. It takes a lot more than average before I feel noticeably intoxicated, which has made it more dangerous than enjoyable. One of my worst experiences happened when I drank around two and a half medium bottles of ouzo. Despite consuming an amount that carried a serious risk of alcohol poisoning, I somehow remained mobile long enough to wander to a construction site, where I fell and broke my arm. This happened when I was fifteen.
That experience, together with seeing what alcoholism has done to people around me, completely changed the way I look at alcohol. I don't dislike the effects themselves, they're just not particularly interesting to me. As someone who strongly prefers stimulants, alcohol feels relatively dull.
What really puts me off, though, is everything surrounding it. I've watched people destroy their lives through alcoholism, and in my country we have a huge methanol problem, everyone is lacing drinks with methanol which is deadly, and after I witnessed my friend almost die from methanol poisoning once I genuinely fear alcohol more than any other drug.
What I Enjoyed
- Relaxed social atmosphere.
- Easy to find and use in social settings.
What I Didn't Enjoy
- Requires large amounts before I notice effects.
- Poor coordination.
- High accident risk.
- Nausea at high doses.
Would I Use It Again?
Maybe
Rating
| Category | Rating (/10) |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/10 |
| Euphoria | 3/10 |
| Relaxation | 6/10 |
| Social Use | 8/10 |
| Body Load | 3/10 |
| Hangover | 2/10 |
Tips & Harm Reduction
Practical Tips
- Eat beforehand and stay hydrated.
- Pace your drinking instead of consuming many drinks in a short time.
- Never drive after drinking.
Harm Reduction
- Be cautious of counterfeit or illegally produced alcohol, as methanol contamination can be life-threatening.
- Avoid combining alcohol with benzodiazepines, opioids or other sedatives.
- If someone is difficult to wake, repeatedly vomiting, or breathing slowly after drinking, seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
