| alcohol abuse | Excessive alcohol
consumption that leads to severe alcoholrelated
health and other problems, such as
recurrent sickness, inability to fulfill major
obligations, use in hazardous situations
(e.g., driving), related legal problems, or use
despite social and interpersonal difficulties.
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| ethanol | Chemical term for the form of
alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.
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| distillation | A physical method used to
separate liquids based on their boiling points.
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| alcohol dehydrogenase | An enzyme used in
alcohol (ethanol) metabolism.
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| cirrhosis | A loss of functioning liver cells,
which are replaced by nonfunctioning
connective tissue. Any substance that poisons
liver cells can lead to cirrhosis. The most
common cause is a chronic, excessive alcohol
intake. Exposure to certain industrial
chemicals also can lead to cirrhosis.
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| ischemic stroke | A stroke caused by the
absence of blood flow to a part of the brain.
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| narcotic | An agent that reduces sensations
or consciousness.
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| free radicals | Short-lived forms of
compounds that exist with an unpaired
electron, causing it to seek an electron from
another compound. Free radicals can be very
destructive to electron-dense cell components,
such as DNA and cell membranes.
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| acute alcohol intoxication | A temporary
deterioration in mental function, accompanied
by lack of coordination and partial
paralysis, arising from drinking alcoholic
beverages too rapidly.
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| alcohol dependence | The person
experiences repeated alcohol-related
difficulties, such as an inability to control use,
spending a great deal of time associated with
alcohol use, continued use of alcohol despite
physical or psychological consequences,
persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut
down or control alcohol use, and withdrawal
symptoms. Tolerance is also seen.
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| serotonin | A neurotransmitter synthesized
from the amino acid tryptophan that affects
mood (sense of calmness), behavior and
appetite, and induces sleep.
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| dopamine | A type of neurotransmitter in the
central nervous system that leads to feelings
of euphoria, among other functions; it is also
used to form norepinephrine, another
neurotransmitter molecule.
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