Psychological effects alcohol

Behavioral and Psychological Effects Interactions among Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol... 

Psychological Effects Alcohol and Behavior Effects of Chronic Heavy Drinking Alcohol and Brain Functioning Alcohol and the Liver Alcohol and Reproductive Functioning Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Moderate Drinking and Health The Development of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Traditional Approaches to Etiology "Biopsychosocial" Approaches to Etiology Summary... 

In this section we review both the acute and chronic effects of alcohol consumption. We first go over alcohol s many acute physiological, sensory-motor (sensorimotor), and psychological effects. We also di.scuss several topics of special societal concern related to alcohol s acute effects, including aggression, sexual behavior, and driving. 

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. 

Chronic heavy use of alcohol may have numerous physiological and psychological effects. All the effects involve increased dysfunction, and some may be fatal. Some chronic alcohol effects are caused directly by alcohol s toxicity to the body, such as damage to the liver. Other effects are indirectly related to long-term abusive drinking. For example, Wernicke s disease, which involves impaired cognitive functioning, is caused by nutritional deficiencies that tend to occur in people who are dependent on alcohol (Brands et al., 1998). 

Alcohol s effects on sexual behavior are similarly complex. It is necessary to know the physiological basis of alcohol s effect on sexual function, as well as situational and psychological factors, in order to explain its effects on sexual behavior. 

The first type of pharmacotherapy for alcohol problems uses compounds that alter the metabolism of alcohol if it is consumed. Peachey and Annis (1985) reviewed these compounds, which they called the alcohol-sensitizing drugs. The most popular of these are disulfiram (trade name Antabuse) and carbimide (Temposil). Antabuse has been in use in the United States since 1948. Temposil, on the other hand, is not available in the United States and is used less frequently overall than Antabuse (NIAAA, 2000). In any case, use of both agents in treatment is based on similar assumptions regarding the psychological effects of their chemical action. 

Acute physical and psychological effects. Marijuana intoxication has an adverse effect on attention span, short-term memory, and psychomotor performance. Anxiety and panic attacks can occur, primarily in new users who are not familiar with marijuanas eflFects. At very high doses, some people experience delusions and hallucinations. There are no cases of fatal marijuana poisoning and humans are very unfikely to be able to ingest a fatal dose. The eflFect of marijuana intoxication impairs motor and cognitive abilities necessary to safely drive a car or operate machinery. The extent to which marijuana is involved in auto accidents is unclear. Many motorists intoxicated with marijuana drive more slowly and carefully and take fewer risks. However, there is an increased risk of accidents after using marijuana, but marijuana alone does not appear to contribute a great deal to accidents. Marijuana in combination with alcohol does. 

Alcohol, specifically ethanol (CH3CH2OH), is a mild depressant that affects your central nervous system. The specific biological effects are pretty complicated— some systems are enhanced by ethanol, others are inhibited. This combination of effects is why drinking can relax your muscles but also make you more animated. It may seem that alcohol lowers your inhibitions, but some experiments suggest this is a psychological effect and not a chemical one. 

Organic solvents have acute narcotic effects. Aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons seem to be especially effective. As stated, the combined effect of several organic solvents is usually considered to be additive. However, there is some evidence that the combined effect may in fact be synergistic. The symptoms caused by organic solvents, often called prenarcotic symptoms, resemble those caused by the use of alcohol. A decrease in reaction time and impairment in various psychological performances can be observed. Acute neurotoxicity can also be detected as abnormalities in the electroencephalogram (EEG i, which records the electrical activity of the brain. " ... 

Barr, H. M., Streissguth, A. P., Darby, B. L., Sampson, P. D., Prenatal exposure to alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and aspirin Effects on fine and gross motor performance in 4-year-old children. Developmental-Psychology 26(3), 339-348, 1990. 

Stewart, S. and Pihl, R., Effects of alcohol administration on psychophysiological and subjective-emotional responses to aversive stimulation in anxiety sensitive women. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 8(1), 29-42, 1994. 

All of the psychological and physical effects of Rohypnol are dramatically increased when the drug is taken in combination with alcohol. In some instances, the combination can be lethal. 

Rafaelsen L, Christrup H, Bech P, Rafaelsen OJ. (1973). Effects of cannabis and alcohol on psychological tests. Nature. 242(5393) 117-18. 

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