Monika Kumar

 Alcohol Consumption and its Consequences Standard drink in the United States A standard drink estimates blood alcohol concentration (BAC)- Beer (contains 4% alcohol)- 12-ounce beer is 1 drink. Liquor (40% alcohol or 80 proof)- 1.5 ounce is 1 drink, e.g. gin, vodka, whiskey, taken as shot. Wine- 5 ounce of standard wine is 1 drink, e.g. red, white, champagne, rose etc. wine with more than 13% alcohol content comprise sherry or cognac, brandy etc. Binge Drinking- more alcohol intake in a short time span, e.g. for woman >4 drinks; for man>5 drinks on one occasion. The number increased from 472 (2011) to 529 (2017) i.e. 12% increase. In 2018, 16% of adult population was reported for binge drinking. Heavy drinking-for woman->8 drinks per week and for man- >15 drinks per week. 7% of adult population is reported for heavy drinking in 2018. Alcohol Use Disorder- excessive alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths (1 in 10 deaths belonging to working age population, 20-64 years of age). Consequences of excessive alcohol consumption on Brain- alcohol is lipid soluble therefore it depresses CNS, especially the GABA receptors and damages cerebral cortex and impairs decision making. It affects hippocampus and impairs memory. It affects cerebellum and hence influences muscle movements and balance. Liver-if alcohol is consumed with sedatives, liver metabolises sedative quickly. Excessive alcohol intake increases liver metabolism. >90% alcohol is metabolized by liver with the help of enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). One ounce of a standard drink is processed in one hour, while additional alcohol is accumulated. Pregnancy- alcohol intake causes irreversiblefetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which causes brain damage, growth issues and deformities.