Alcohol Poisoning and Toxicity with Different Types of Alcohols

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What is alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is a serious problem that can occur with drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages in a short period of time. The quantity of the alcohol consumed and its byproducts after being metabolized may be toxic to the body. It can therefore result in several systems in the body shutting down and eventually failing, sometimes even leading to death. There are several different types of alcohol which should be differentiated from each other as some are not fit for human consumption. These other types of alcohol can be toxic in even small doses.

Types of Alcohol

The term alcohol can sometimes be confusing because it is a group of substances that are chemically similar. Ethanol is one type of alcohol and is usually found in alcoholic beverages. Although humans can consume ethanol, in large doses especially if this is ingested over a short period of time, it can be toxic. The other types of alcohol may not be meant to be consumed, but may be ingested accidentally or intentionally. The more common types of alcohol that may be consumed by humans, other than ethanol, is methanol, isopropanol or ethyl glycol.

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Alcohol Detox Medication & Drug Therapy for Alcoholic Withdrawal

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Alcohol (ethanol / ethyl alcohol) is a widely use and commonly abused substance throughout the world. Intoxication, misuse and dependence on alcohol is not a new social ill and mankind has a history with alcohol spanning thousands of years. Consumption of alcohol in limited quantities is known to produce a sense of well-being along with reduction of anxiety and some degree of disinhibition. This encourages individuals to consume alcohol repeatedly and more frequently. The repeated use of alcohol produces tolerance to the effects of alcohol on the brain. To overcome the effect of tolerance, individuals tend to consume more alcohol to reach the same level of intoxication. The regular intake of increased quantities of alcohol leads to alcohol abuse (addiction).

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Ecstasy Effects, Toxicity and Death, MDMA Overdose Symptoms

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With the increasing use of ecstasy (MDMA) as a recreational drug, overdosing is fairly common. Ecstasy is an illicit drug, often used in combination with other drugs, which greatly increases the risk of toxicity. There is no such thing as a safe dose of the drug and even a minimum amount can produce toxicity and death. It is not just about individual sensitivity and dose, but also the substances added to bulk up the drug (“cut” it) that may contribute to this toxicity. There is no antidote for ecstasy poisoning.

The Drug Ecstasy

Ecstasy or 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a semi-synthetic psychoactive drug which possesses both hallucinogenic and stimulant properties. Ecstasy is a “designer” amphetamine and contains chemical variations of the stimulant amphetamine or methamphetamine, as well as a hallucinogen such as mescaline. This causes feelings of euphoria, emotional intimacy, increased sensuality, and loss of inhibition, as well as distorted sensory perceptions.

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – Alcohol and the Unborn Baby

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What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is not a single disease but a range of disorders which include numerous physical and mental problems, as well as various developmental defects, that may occur as a result of alcohol consumption by the mother while pregnant. No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy since alcohol passes easily through the placenta to reach the fetus, where it may also affect the fetal brain. Consuming even a small amount of alcohol carries the potential danger of irreversible birth defects in the baby. However, the risk may be lower with occasional drinking than with regular heavy drinking.

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What are Stimulants? Types, Effects and Dangers

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Stimulants are substances that are used to enhance brain activity and has a host of mental and physical effects. Due to the psychoactive nature of these substances, stimulants may also have a number of effects on the emotional state.

A stimulant has pronounced effect on the central nervous system, which is the reason it is often used, and it may also influence the activity of the peripheral nervous system. In most cases, stimulants are used to increase alertness, reduce the need for sleep and give a temporary boost in energy. However, certain illicit drugs that are known stimulants are also used for the euphoria it induces due to the disruption of the brain hormones – dopamine, endorphins, norepinephrine and serotonin.

A stimulant is colloquially known as an ‘upper’. It is believed to enhance mental and physical activity, however, these effects are temporary and the following withdrawal period actually hampers functioning. In addition, large quantities and long term use of stimulants may permanently impair mental and physical activity. Stimulants are no longer used frequently in medical treatments except for conditions like depression and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

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