Why Do So Many People Drink Alcohol?
I don't know what your thoughts are, but I think many people drink alcohol because it makes them feel good and helps them temporarily forget their problems. Plus, it's fun! But have you ever wondered what actually happens when you get drunk? Let's break it down.
When you take a drink, alcohol gets quickly absorbed into your bloodstream through your stomach and small intestines. Within 5 minutes, it reaches your brain, and by 10 minutes, you start feeling its effects. At first, alcohol makes your brain release more dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel happy and relaxed. You might feel more confident and talkative. However, alcohol also affects your behavior, often leading to poor judgment and risky actions. This can result in injuries, accidents, and even death.
As you keep drinking, more alcohol builds up in your system, slowing down your brain. This leads to slurred speech, lack of coordination, and trouble with walking and vision. This stage is often called "sloppy drunk." If you keep drinking beyond this point, alcohol becomes a poison to your body. This can cause vomiting, slowed breathing, seizures, coma, and even death.
How Alcohol is Processed in Your Body
Your body can only metabolize one ounce of alcohol, or essentially one drink, per hour. A typical drink is a 5 oz glass of wine, a standard 12 oz beer, or a mixed drink with 1.5 oz of 80 proof alcohol like a shot of vodka, rum, or whiskey. This means your body can only process the alcohol from one of these drinks each hour.
For instance, if you consume four drinks in one hour, that's about 4 oz of alcohol. Your body will only metabolize 1 oz of that alcohol in the first hour, leaving 3 oz still in your bloodstream. If you have three more drinks in the next hour, at the end of two hours, you will have consumed a total of 7 oz of alcohol but will have only metabolized 2 oz, leaving 5 oz in your bloodstream. If you have three more drinks during the third hour, by the end of three hours, you will have metabolized 3 oz but will still have 7 oz of alcohol in your bloodstream. So even if you stop drinking, it will take a full 7 hours for the alcohol to be completely metabolized and out of your system.
Alcohol can build up in your system very quickly when you drink too much too fast and remains in your bloodstream longer than you think. This type of drinking, known as binge drinking, can lead to too much alcohol in your body and brain, causing alcohol poisoning. The problem is that the alcohol lingers in your system for hours after you stop drinking, so you may remain drunk well into the early morning hours, even though your last drink was a while ago. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are okay just because you stopped drinking hours ago, especially if you are considering driving.
Now you know what alcohol does to your brain and how long it takes your body to metabolize and get rid of it. It's important to understand how quickly alcohol can build up in your system and that you will remain drunk long after you stop drinking because your body can only remove alcohol from your system at the rate of one drink per hour for the average person. Of course, every person is a little different, and factors such as age, weight, sex, and whether you've eaten can affect how each individual responds to alcohol. This information is meant to be a general guideline for the average person. Stay safe and drink responsibly!
Quick Facts:
- Alcohol reaches your brain in 5 minutes and affects you in 10 minutes.
- Drinking releases dopamine, making you feel good but also impairing your judgment.
- Your body can only metabolize one drink per hour.
- Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and long-lasting effects.
Tips for Safe Drinking:
- Know your limits.
- Drink slowly.
- Eat before and while drinking.
- Stay hydrated with water.
- Never drink and drive.
Stay informed and make smart choices when it comes to alcohol!
Best wishes,
Brian Hoeflinger
