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  • What Is Grain Alcohol?

    Grain alcohol, such as Everclear and Golden Grain, has an incredibly high alcohol content due to the distillation process that occurs when making the product. Through fermentation, the alcohol becomes even stronger. 

    This particular type of alcohol is especially dangerous due to the high alcohol content and the many dangers it presents to the body when imbibed.

    Learn more about the dangers and effects of Grain Alcohol

    How Is Blood Alcohol Level Determined?

    Blood alcohol level, also referred to as blood alcohol content (BAC), is a measurement of milligrams of alcohol in every 100 milliliters of blood. An individual with a BAC of 0.08% (the legal limit) has 80 milligrams of alcohol in every 100 milliliters of blood. 

    Blood alcohol levels can be determined using a breathalyzer or blood test. Generally, the faster you drink, the higher your BAC will rise. Other factors can influence BAC, including body composition, gender, medications, and general health. 

    Learn more about Blood Alcohol Levels

    What Is The Legal Limit For Alcohol Intoxication?

    The legal limit for alcohol intoxication is 0.08% across the United States. For minors, the legal limit is as low as 0.00% in some parts of the U.S. Breaking the legal limit can result in jail time, fines, and driver’s license suspensions.

    Does Synthetic Alcohol Exist?

    Synthetic alcohol does exist but it hasn’t gone through enough testing to be readily available to the public.

    Learn more about Synthetic Alcohol

    Is Powdered Alcohol Legal?

    Powdered alcohol is illegal in over half of all U.S. states. Owning or consuming powdered alcohol in these states may result in jail time or a fine. In states where it is legal, powdered alcohol may be taxed heavily or not sold in all stores.

    Learn more about Powdered Alcohol

    How Does Alcohol Affect Testosterone Levels?

    Drinking heavily can lower your testosterone levels by interfering with hormones that stimulate testosterone production. Your body may also produce less testosterone because alcohol abuse can shrink your testicles, where testosterone is made.

    What Are Field Sobriety Tests?

    Field sobriety tests are used by police officers to evaluate an individual they suspect of driving under the influence of alcohol or another mind-altering substance. Unlike breathalyzer tests, they are not mandatory, and may be refused.

    How Is Alcohol Absorbed In The Body?

    Alcohol is mostly absorbed through the small intestine, where it travels to the liver and is broken down or metabolized. The enzymes ADH and ALDH play the largest roles in metabolizing alcohol. 

    Genetic and environmental factors can affect how quickly and efficiently your body breaks down alcohol.

    Learn more about How Alcohol Is Absorbed & Metabolized In The Body

    What Does It Mean To Enable Someone’s Alcohol Use?

    Enabling someone’s alcohol use means doing things that encourage them to continue drinking and participating in self-destructive behavior without facing the consequences.

    To learn more read, 10 ways to stop Enabling Your Loved One’s Alcohol Abuse

    What’s The Difference Between An OWI & A DUI?

    An OWI is a criminal offense that stands for “operating while intoxicated.” It’s used in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

    A DUI is a criminal offense that stands for “driving while intoxicated. It’s used in most states.

    Both OWIs and DUIs involve driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. However, as its name suggests, an OWI also involves operating a vehicle without driving it. 

    How Likely Is An Alcohol Relapse?

    Depending on the severity of alcohol use disorder (AUD), a person may experience an alcohol relapse even after receiving treatment for alcohol abuse. Alcohol relapse rates are wide-ranging and vary from person to person.

    Learn more about Alcohol Relapse

    What Are Some Tips For Quitting Drinking?

    Once you decide you have a drinking problem, you may still struggle with remaining abstinent. The habit of picking up a drink to celebrate, grieve, cope with stress, or just get through the day can be difficult to break. 

    If you are physically dependent on alcohol, a medical detox may be a necessary first step. Attending treatment and a support group can help build a positive foundation for your recovery. 

    Other tips include journaling, practicing mindfulness and self-care, and setting small goals to help you adjust and develop healthy coping skills. 

    What Are Alcohol Cravings?

    Alcohol cravings are intense urges to drink alcohol. Without the proper strategies to manage them, alcohol cravings can be hard to resist for those with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

    What Happens To Your Brain & Body When You Quit Alcohol?

    When those with an alcohol use disorder quit cold turkey, they should generally expect to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms within a day or so, which peak a few days later before fading away within one or two weeks. 

    After this period of time, the brain and body will begin to slowly adjust and heal from the toxic effects of alcohol abuse, often with noticeable health benefits and improving emotional and mental well-being.

    To learn more, read 7 things that happen when you quit drinking alcohol

    Is Alcohol Worse To Use Than Marijuana?

    When you compare their risks and the health issues they’re linked to, alcohol appears to be worse to use than marijuana. While marijuana does have some negative side effects, alcohol’s effects can be fatal. Both substances should only be used in moderation.

    Can You Get Rid Of Alcohol Breath? 

    You can cover up or even get rid of alcohol breath by brushing your teeth, chewing gum, drinking water, or using other strong smells. Getting rid of alcohol breath does not get rid of the other effects of alcohol, like impairment.

    Learn more about getting rid of Alcohol Breath

    What Is An Ignition Interlock Device?

    An ignition interlock device (IID) is a small, sophisticated breathalyzer device wired into motor vehicle ignitions. It’s used to lock out drivers and keep them from starting their car if they’ve recently been drinking alcohol.

    Learn more about Ignition Interlock Devices

    Should You Drink Liquor Or Beer First To Avoid A Hangover? 

    If you’re trying to avoid a hangover, recent studies show it might not matter whether you drink hard liquor or beer first. Other factors, like staying hydrated, limiting how much alcohol you drink, and congeners in your drink, may matter more for avoiding hangovers.

    To learn more, read Beer Before Liquor Or Liquor Before Beer?

    Can You Drink Rubbing Alcohol?

    Although you can technically drink rubbing alcohol, you should never do it. 

    Isopropyl alcohol contains the ingredient acetone which enters your bloodstream quickly and wreaks havoc on the human body, causing a number of issues such as organ damage and internal bleeding. Rubbing alcohol is not meant for human consumption. 

    Learn more about Drinking Rubbing Alcohol

    Can You Drink Hand Sanitizer?

    No. Hand sanitizer should never be consumed. Drinking hand sanitizer can lead to serious health issues, including vision loss, seizures, coma, and death.

    Learn more about Drinking Hand Sanitizer

    Does Every State Have Different Alcohol Laws?

    States have slight differences between certain alcohol laws, including drinking in public places, curfews for buying alcohol, and exceptions for minors drinking alcohol. Other alcohol laws, such as the legal blood alcohol level limit or the legal drinking age, are consistent across the U.S.

    How Reliable Is EtG Alcohol Testing?

    EtG alcohol testing can detect whether you’ve been drinking in the last two to five days. It’s relatively easy to get a false positive by using household products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwash and hand sanitizer. A false negative is less common, but still possible.

    If you’re mindful about using alcohol-containing products, a regular EtG test can help you maintain sobriety by making it hard to hide your alcohol consumption. 

    Learn more about EtG Testing

    Is There A Link Between Alcohol Abuse & Diabetes?

    Yes. When you have diabetes, your body struggles to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Alcohol can worsen this condition by causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). 

    In addition, alcohol can interact negatively with certain diabetes medications. It can also increase your risk of diabetes-related health issues, including eye damage, nerve damage, and heart disease.

    Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team
    ©2024 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.
    This page does not provide medical advice.
    Medically Reviewed by
    Manish Mishra, MBBS
    on August 17, 2022
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