UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 20, Page 6
February 18, 1993
'Quiz yourself' answers

       1. True: Any substance that affects body functions is considered a
          "drug." Drugs are found in foods, beverages and medication.
          Alcohol is a drug. It affects behavior after it reaches the
          brain.
       2. False: Alcohol is generally a depressant, not a stimulant, but
          sometimes a drinker imagines he or she is being pepped up.
       3. False: Reactions to alcohol vary tremendously. Different people
          react differently to the same amount of alcohol. Even the same
          person may react differently to the same amount of alcohol under
          different circumstances. Persons may be influenced by physical
          factors: how fast they drink; whether they have eaten; the type
          of beverages; body weight; and body chemistry.
       4. True: Alcohol is higher in calories than sugar and starches,
          although lower than fats. An ounce of liquor contains about 70
          calories. A 12-ounce can of beer contains about 150 calories.
       5. True: If a person rapidly gulps down an unusually large amount of
          alcohol, it may be fatal.
       6. False: The flavor of the liquor does not affect drinkers. It is
          the alcohol content that affects them. Each liquor has a
          different flavor because it is made from different ingredients.
          Whiskey is made from grain such as corn, barley, rye; vodka from
          corn, other cereals and potatoes; rum from molasses; gin from
          alcohol flavored with juniper berries.
       7. False: Switching, or mixing, won't make a person drunker because
          the degree of drunkenness is determined by the total amount of
          alcohol the blood absorbs, not by the flavor of the beverage.
          However, for some people, switching may cause nausea and
          vomiting, possibly because of the different flavorings and mixers
          used.
       8. False: Nothing can speed the sobering process because the body
          oxidizes alcohol at a steady rate. Coffee can help keep a person
          awake, but it won't improve judgment or sharpen reactions. A
          person who is drunk can only wait for his or her liver to burn up
          the alcohol, at the rate of about one hour for every 1/2 ounce of
          alcohol consumed.
       9. True: Under certain circumstances, one drink may affect a
          driver's judgment and may interfere with normal alertness. A
          person may become overconfident, careless and more likely to take
          chances. To be absolutely safe, anyone should wait at least one
          hour after a drink before driving.
      10. False: Drunkenness is a temporary loss of control over one's
          reactions and behavior while drinking alcohol. Anyone who drinks
          excessively at one time or another may become drunk. Alcoholism
          is a serious illness. The alcoholic person loses control of his
          drinking, becomes dependent on alcohol and the drinking
          interferes with some vital part of life. As a result, alcohol
          offers only escape, and drinking becomes the only satisfaction to
          be found.
      11. False: Out of about 140 million people in the United States who
          consume alcohol, 7-10 million are estimated to be alcoholic
          persons. Doctors do not know why some people become alcoholic;
          most experts believe that it is a combination of physical,
          psychological and sociological causes. The person who drinks to
          escape from emotional problems and the pressures of everyday
          living is probably more likely to become an alcoholic.
      12. True: The following signs may be warnings. Individuals may
          notice drinking increases, especially drinking alone. They may
          seek excuses to drink, or drink on the sly or need to drink early
          in the morning. They may gulp drink after drink and then
          "black-out," which is a temporary loss of memory, not loss of
          consciousness. At this point, a person may be treated effectively
          if he or she consults a physician, minister, counselor,
          psychologist or psychiatrist. Without treatment, alcoholics face
          uncontrolled drinking, frequent drunkenness and a growing number
          of health, personal and social problems.
       

                                 -Quiz compiled and edited by Alisha Palmer
                                           Source: Thinking About Drinking,
                         U.S. Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare, 1968.