Effects of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse hurts more than the abusers and their families. It reaches into every aspect of society and has significant economic ramifications, as well.

• In purely economic terms, alcoholism in the U.S. costs the economy an estimated $98 billion annually in health and welfare services, property damage and medical expenses, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.
• In the workplace, at least 12 percent of all employees have alcohol problems. More than $40 billion is lost annually from related absenteeism and reduced productivity.
• In human terms, the costs are incalculable.

Premature death due to alcohol

Alcoholics and alcohol abusers also are at high risk for premature death from:

• Organic complications involving the brain, liver, heart and other organs.
• Overdose, suicide, homicide, car accidents and other traumas.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 31 minutes and nonfatally injure someone every two minutes. During 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, comprising 39% of all traffic-related deaths.

Blood alcohol levels

Most people know that if they fail a breathalyzer test, it means their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is too high and they are legally impaired. Depending on state law, BAC legal limits are usually 0.08 or 0.10. However, the effects begin well before that level.

BAC of 0.02 - 0.03: At this level, there is not yet any loss of coordination, although there is a loss of any shyness. You are feeling slightly euphoric. The depressant effects of alcohol are not apparent. You are mildly relaxed and may be feeling a bit lightheaded.

BAC of 0.04 - 0.06: You are relaxed with a feeling of well-being and warmth. You are losing your inhibitions and feel euphoric. You have minor impairments in reasoning and memory, and are less cautious than you would normally be. Your actions are exaggerated. Your emotions are more intensified - positive feelings become more positive and negative feelings become more negative.

BAC of 0.07 - 0.09: Your balance is becoming impaired. Reaction time, speech, and sense of hearing are also becoming increasingly impaired. You still feel a sense of euphoria. You have a decreased sense of judgment and your self-control is becoming more impaired. Your memory, ability to reason and sense of caution are weakened. You believe you are functioning better than you really are. In some states, a BAC of 0.08 is considered legally impaired, making it against the law to drive at this level.

BAC of 0.10 - 0.125: Your motor coordination and judgment are significantly impaired. Speech may be slurred. Your balance, vision, reaction time and hearing are also impaired. Euphoria remains. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle at this level of intoxication in all states.

BAC of 0.13 to 0.15: Your motor coordination is grossly impaired and you have impaired control of your behavior. Your vision is blurred and you have a major loss of balance. Euphoria is now reduced. You begin to feel anxious or depressed. Your senses of judgment and perception are severely impaired.

BAC of 0.16 - 0.19: You may feel overwhelmed by feelings of depression and anxiety and may also begin to feel nauseated. Your control continues to deteriorate and you may begin to have blackouts.

BAC of 0.20: You feel confused and disoriented. You may need help standing and walking. If you injure yourself, you may not feel the pain. Some people have nausea and vomiting at this level of intoxication. The gag reflex is impaired and vomiting is hazardous because it can cause choking. Blackouts are likely at this level, so you may not remember what happened.

BAC of 0.25: All of your mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Your risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit or seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents is increased.

BAC of .30: At this level, you are in a state of stupor. You are not likely to know where you are. You may suddenly pass out and be difficult to awaken.

BAC of 0.35: This level is comparable to surgical anesthesia. It is possible to go into a coma.

BAC of 0.40 and up: Onset of coma. Death due to respiratory arrest is possible.

Cumulative effects of alcohol

Because alcohol has toxic as well as sedative effects, prolonged periods of excessive drinking can lead to:

• Digestive-system disorders such as ulcers, inflammation of the pancreas, gastritis and cirrhosis of the liver
• Serious problems from physical and nutritional neglect, such as anemia
• Central and peripheral nervous systems damage, including blackouts, hallucinations, tremors, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, delirium tremens and death.
• Damage to unborn children (from even moderate drinking), including birth defects, mental retardation, learning problems and fetal alcohol syndrome.
• Psychological and interpersonal problems, including impaired thinking and judgment, changes in mood and behavior, marital problems, child abuse, impaired social relationships, scholastic problems, job problems, legal problems, and financial problems.

Sources:

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

National Center for Health Statistics

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.