Acute Effects of Alcohol

The terms acute and chronic are also used to characterize the time delay between exposure and the onset of symptoms. Acute effects are those noticed directly following exposure and are usually easily related to the agent. The chronic or long-term effects of an agent may occur years later and are often very difficult to attribute to a particular cause. The acute effects of alcohol consumption or exposure to the solvent in glue are obvious in the drunkenness produced. The effects of chronic exposure to these compounds, as seen by an alcoholic, are very different specifically, cirrhosis of the liver. The chronic effect of childhood lead exposure... 

The acute effects of alcohol consumption are associated with mild nervous system effects such as relaxation and a lessening of inhibitions that many people find desirable. Additional consumption results in sleepiness and motor and reaction time... 

Physical Dependence Therapeutic Uses Acute Effects of Alcohol... 

An important acute effect of alcohol is disruption of sleep patterns. Even at lower doses alcohol suppresses REM sleep, which is the stage of the sleep cycle when most dreaming occurs (REM stands tor rapid eye movements, which characterize this stage of sleep). When the dose is low, REM sleep is suppressed only in the first half of the night, but in the second half REM time rebounds and increases. At larger doses of alcohol, REM sleep is suppressed throughout the night. 

For the last 500 years Shakespeare probably has been the author most frequently cited on the acute effects of alcohol on human sexual response. The specific reference is from Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 2 It [alcohol] provokes and unprovokes it provokes the desire, but it takes away from the performance. It turns out that the results of experimental studies are in part consistent with Shakespeare s observations. 

A reasonable conclusion, about the acute effects of alcohol on male sexual response is that, similar to aggression, the disinhibition theory falls far short of explaining the information that is available. Rather, social and psychological factors seem to be important determinants of sexual response in men at low BACs and often work to increase libido. However, the pharmacology of alcohol begins to dominate at BACs greater than 0.05%, which cause a decrease in arousal and sexual competence. 

The folklore about the acute effects of alcohol on sexual behavior in women is that it promotes promiscuity. For example, Chaucer wrote in The Wife of Bath s Talc in his Canterbury Taler. After wine, I think mostly of venue for just as it s true that cold engenders hail a liquor mouth must have a liquorous tail. Women have no defense against wine as lechers know from experience. ... 

To conclude this section. Table 9.5 provides a summary of the acute effects of alcohol at different BACs. The table succinctly shows how pervasive alcohol s effects are. It is essential to remember, however, that the effects listed for given BACs are what might be observed in the typical drinker. Alcohol s effects arc notorious for their variability among people and in the same person on different drinking occasions. And, as our discussion of alcohol and aggression and sex most clearly illustrated, situational and psychological factors also influence what behaviors occur in people when they drink as well as the effects they perceive alcohol is having on them. 

Typical Acute Effects of Alcohol Associated with Different Ascending Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BACs)... 

The acute effects of alcohol on memory and other cognitive functioning are manifest at moderate BACs and are reversible. However, alcohol affects these same functions... 

Adams AJ, Brown B, Haegerstrom-Portnoy G, Horn MC (1976) Evidence for acute effects of alcohol and marijuana on color discrimination. Percept Psychophys 20 119-124... 

Acute effects of alcohol ingestion arise principally from the generation of NADH, which greatly increases the NADHINAD ratio of the liver. As a consequence, fatty acid oxidation is inhibited, and ketogenesis may occur. The elevated NADHINAD ratio may also cause lactic acidosis and inhibit gluconeogenesis. 

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