Alcohol
The intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other low molecular weight alcohols including methyl and isopropyl alcohol.Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug; a chemical substance that alters the way the human body functions. Although low doses of alcohol initially have a mildly stimulating effect, alcohol is a sedative or depressant drug. Alcohol produces dramatic effects as it alters the chemical reactions of the body. Alcohol enters the blood stream immediately through the mouth and penetrates the blood-brain barrier altering individual cells. The effects do vary person to person and depend on a number of factors.
- Alcohol is a drug
- Alcohol initially acts as a stimulant
- Alcohol’s overall effect is a sedative or depressant
- Alcohol affects the brain cells, slowing the body’s chemical responses
- The effects of alcohol vary from person to person
- The effects of alcohol on an individual vary from occasion to occasion
- One drink metabolizes in approximately 1 1/2 hours
- The higher the
BAC
, the more pronounced the effects of alcohol
BAC
Blood Alcohol Content
The more you drink the more intoxicated you get!
Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication
Most supervisors are familiar with the behavioral and physical symptoms around alcohol intoxication. Most of these signs do not show until a person reaches a level of intoxication of 0.1 or greater. A person’s experience with alcohol, usage history, medical status, and the present symptoms all play a factor.
- Clumsiness, staggering, unsteady gait
- poor coordination, slowed reflexes, diminished reaction times
- bloodshot eyes, impaired tracking ability
- slurred speech, incoherent speech patterns
- odor of alcohol on breath
- poor judgement, increased risk taking behavior
- decreased reasoning ability, forgetfulness
- exaggerated emotion, excitement, belligerent attitude
- disheveled clothing, poor personal grooming
- flushed complexion, sweating
Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace
Recognize the physical signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse. What signs and symptoms would you add?
Constricted Pupils – Narrowing or compressing of the pupil of the eye.
Bloodshot or Watery Eyes – Extreme reddening of, or water-filled eyes. May also have a glassy-like film over eyes.
Blackout – Temporary, but not necessarily total loss of consciousness. Forgetfulness of events occurring over periods of time also constitutes a blackout.
Lack of Coordination, unsteady gait – Inability to perform acts or arrange items in the proper relative order.
Sleepy or stuporous condition – Dazed or confused look or reaction to an otherwise normal situation (e.g., not recognizing a familiar object or individual). Lethargic. Mental or physical inactivity. Lack of emotion, feeling, or enthusiasm to things generally found exciting or interesting.
Aggressive or antagonistic behavior – Hostile behavior (e.g., physical fights, loud verbal, abusive conversations).
Slurred Speech – Indistinct, incoherent word pronunciation (e.g., nonsense-sounding syllables and/or sentences during a conversation).
Slowed reaction rate – Delayed stimulus response to circumstances or events (e.g.,non-instantaneous, startled reaction to a loud, unexpected, frightening noise).
Dulled mental processes – Not very alert or responsive. Lacking mental agility.
Alcohol is the most abused drug in society today. It is a depressant and affects vision, judgement, reaction time, memory, and most important, public safety. Apparent drunkenness is easy to detect, and so it is assumed that most employees would not show up for work in this condition. However, it is possible for one’s state of intoxication to be less outwardly visible, thereby giving a person a false sense of security in feeling that he/she can function cohesively while only a “little buzzed”. In either case, the resulting effect can be fatal.
