Alcohol Introduction

There are two types of alcohol: methyl alcohol (methanol or wood alcohol) is highly poisonous and is used as a fuel and solvent, and ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the active ingredient of alcoholic drinks. Ethanol is also used in medicine as an antiseptic and as a base in which other ingredients are dissolved. Ethyl alcohol is produced by fermentation - the chemical reaction between bacteria and starch such as maize, barley, rice, potatoes, hops and grapes. Malt and barley make beer, and grapes make wine but only a 10-15% level of alcohol is possible by this method. Spirits such as gin, brandy, vodka, whisky and liqueurs which have a higher alcoholic level require distillation as well as fermentation. This means that the water is evaporated, leaving the alcohol in greater concentration. Distilled alcohol is also added to fermented drinks to strengthen them, eg sherry, port and other fortified wines.

What it does

Alcohol affects the body in several ways.

It depresses and slows down the central nervous system; this is what leads to a reduction in tension, anxiety, and inhibitions.

It provides energy (but also tons of calories) that usually head for the waist. Burn it off through exercise and you're okay but from a nutritional perspective, it's pretty useless.

It affects liver function. After heavy drinking, as much 50% of the liver can be 'immobilised' although it is usually recovers within a few days.

It makes you piss. With heavy alcohol intake the body loses more water than it takes in and you become dehydrated. The liver The digestive system absorbs about 30% of any alcohol drunk. This is carried around the body by the bloodstream and reaches the liver, one of the largest and most important body organs. The liver makes and regulates many of the body's chemicals and helps break down and eliminate toxins and other poisonous substances from the blood. It is here that alcohol is broken down, at a rate of one pint of beer or 30cc (1oz) of whisky per hour. This process breaks down around 90% of the alcohol into carbon diioxide and water, the remaining 10% being processed through the lungs and as sweat (which is why you may smell rotten the morning after). Units and limits Units are measurements of alcohol consumption and can be used to help calculate the amount of alcohol contained in a drink. However, although most of us have heard of them, surprisingly few people actually know how to calculate them, so here is a quick guide to help you:

One pint of ordinary lager, beer or cider.

Half a pint of strong lager, beer or cider.

One small glass of wine (100ml.

A single pub measure of spirits (25ml).

One small glass of sherry or fortified wine (50ml). Drinks poured at home are usually more generous and should be scored double. Also, score twice as much for extra-strength beers. The healthy maximum is currently accepted as 21 units a week, which equates to:

Ten pints of ordinary lager, beer or cider.

five pints of strong lager, beer or cider.

Three bottles of wine.

21 single spirit drinks, with or without mixers eg coke, tonic.

21 single drinks of sherry or port. Spread your allowance throughout the week as this level and frequency of drinking is not likely to harm your health. However, people's tolerance to alcohol varies enormously and even the recommended amounts may be too much. You should aim for at least one or two alcohol-free days a week. Don't save up your allowance to blow it over one night at the weekend because it puts excessive strain on the body and liver especially. The risk to your health and safety increases, the more you drink. If you drink over 36 units a week you are running the risk of liver damage, accidents and alcohol dependency. It's not only your physical health that's affected: your drinking could lead to social and legal difficulties, eg drink/driving offences, problems with your friendships and relationships or the loss of your job. It's when we're tanked like this that we behave badly at parties, become aggressive and argumentative and take very risky decisions when it comes to sex... This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:

several chapters more useful advice and information

more in-depth information in some chapters

more pictures and tables

further contacts at the end of each chapter

a comprehensive listing of gay and health organisations Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.

Available from Prowler Stores and all good bookshops, or click the link below for price and ordering details.

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