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Bacteria in the body produce a minute amount of alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract. Also, normal metabolic processes may produce infinitesimal amounts. While these tiny amounts are responsible for traces of alcohol dehydrogenises in your liver, they do not affect your body or behavior. Only ingested alcohol produces physiological effects and alters body functions.

When you have a drink, your mouth absorbs a small amount of alcohol. The rest travel to the stomach, where a small amount is absorbed into the bloodstream. Most of the remaining alcohol usually continues on into the small intestine; however, the rate at which this occurs depends on the concentration of alcohol and whether there is food in the stomach. If the stomach is empty, some alcohol moves directly into the small intestine in about five minutes. If there is food in the stomach, the process is slowed. From the small intestine, alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Since alcohol resembles water and behaves like water, it is highly soluble in water and travels wherever water travels in the body. Alcohol passes through cell walls and is distributed throughout the water content of cells and tissues. As alcohol circulates throughout the body, it reaches the brain and the drinker begins to feel its effects. The higher the concentration of alcohol in the blood, the greater the physical effects--and the longer it takes for the body to eliminate the alcohol.

While the body disposes of about 10 percent of the alcohol by elimination from the lungs and kidneys, the liver must metabolize the remaining 90 percent. Once metabolized by the liver, alcohol oxidizes--that is, it unites with oxygen to produce heat and energy. When the alcohol enters the liver, some of it is changed into acetaldehyde by a liver enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenises. The acetaldehyde then breaks down to form acetic acid, which is, in turn, dispersed throughout the body where it combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water. The key factor in this process is that the liver can only oxidize a certain amount of alcohol at a time; the alcohol that is not being metabolized in the liver continues to circulate throughout the body.

The liver is able to oxidize approximately one-quarter ounce of absolute alcohol per hour. In other words, the body is able to eliminate approximately half the alcohol in a drink in one hour and the total alcohol in one drink in two hours. If you consume only one drink, your BAC would be zero percent in about two hours.

A small amount of alcohol may stimulate your appetite, as it causes the release of digestive juices. But excessive amounts of alcohol tend to stop the process of digestion. The effects on the circulatory system are not so dramatic. You may feel and look a little warm because alcohol dilates your surface blood vessels, but the sensation of warmth is misleading. You actually lose body heat from the expanded blood vessels. Alcohol affects nerve cell membranes. It also seems to affect the production and functioning of a number of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, lowering their functional activity. Neurotransmitters convey messages from one nerve cell to another, so alcohol's effects on your neurotransmitters may explain its effects on you.

Your liver, in addition to its role in the oxidation of alcohol, maintains your body's blood-sugar level. But the elimination of alcohol from the body supersedes the liver's other tasks. Therefore, if you have not eaten properly and then consume an excessive amount of alcohol, hypoglycemia (low level of blood sugar) may occur. If you have eaten properly, hyperglycemia (high level of blood sugar) may occur.

Alcohol's immediate effect on the brain is most unusual. The brain is usually protected from chemicals and drugs by an electrical-chemical filter system known as the blood/brain barrier, which makes sure that only water can pass through. The simple molecular structure of alcohol allows it to penetrate this selective screen and gain easy access to the brain and its extension, the spinal cord. Consequently, alcohol has immediate and profound effects on behavior.

In high doses, alcohol is an anesthetic that acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. At very low doses (one drink) alcohol acts as a stimulant. Two drinks inhibit an anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and increase urine flow. One experiences a slowed reaction time and poor muscle control. Judgment is impaired and as drinking continues, decision making is affected. Three drinks affect the ability to think and reason, and memory as well. One experiences reduced self-restraint and lessened inhibitions. As the alcohol depresses your control systems, visible signs of intoxication appear. Slurred speech and an unsteady gate become noticeable. Four drinks blurs the vision. After five drinks all behavior controls are compromised and the ability to stay awake is challenged. In some instances, such as chugalugging, you can reach a .50 BAC quickly, which results in a deep coma and danger of death.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include thirst, headache, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. The drinker feels guilt and remorse, anxiety and depression.

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