What is ETOH?
ETOH meaning derives from the abbreviated term ethyl alcohol. ETOH is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and distilled spirits.
When the term ethyl or ethyl alcohol is used in an academic or clinical setting, the abbreviated form ETOH is commonly used for convenience.
Ethanol is also known as:
- Alcohol
- Drinking alcohol
- Grain alcohol
- Ethyl alcohol
The most popular alcoholic beverages for human consumption that contain ETOH are:
- Malt liquor
- Beer
- Wine
- Distilled spirits
- Grain alcohol
These different forms of ETOH vary considerably in terms of potency. Beer is the weakest alcoholic beverage, and grain alcohol is the strongest.
What is classified as ETOH abuse, then?
ETOH Abuse
There are many forms of ETOH abuse and terms like social drinker get thrown around a lot, let’s take a closer look at the common forms of alcohol abuse:
- Binge drinking: If a man consumes at least five alcoholic beverages within two hours, or a woman consumes at least four drinks alcoholic beverages in the same period, this is classified as binge drinking.
- Heavy drinking: If a man consumes fourteen standard drinks each week, or a woman consumes eight standard drinks each week, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) classifies this as heavy drinking.
- Alcoholism (alcohol use disorder): Addiction to alcohol is known informally as alcoholism and clinically as AUD (alcohol use disorder). AUD is a chronic, relapsing brain condition, this type of problem drinking can be characterized by the compulsive consumption of alcohol in the face of negative outcomes.
Abusing ETOH in any form can trigger many adverse health outcomes. These complications can be physical or mental, and they can be short-term or long-term.
Untreated, this type of chemical dependency can become life-threatening.
These are among the most severe consequences of ETOH abuse:
- Liver damage.
- Cardiovascular issues.
- High blood pressure.
- Pancreatitis.
- Bleeding from the esophagus.
- Increased risk of certain cancers.
Additionally, ETOH abuse can also heighten the risk of:
- Assaults.
- Motor vehicle collisions.
- Slips and falls.
- Accidents when operating machinery.
- Violent and aggressive outbursts.
- ETOH overdose (alcohol overdose).The most aggravating result of ETOH abuse is the development of alcohol use disorder.
AUD is diagnosed according to the number of criteria that present as outlined in DSM-5-TR (the most current edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
The criteria of alcohol use disorder are:
- Often drinking for longer than intended or drinking more than planned.
- Failed attempts to moderate or discontinue use.
- Cravings for alcohol.
- Withdrawal symptoms in the absence of alcohol.
- Tolerance to alcohol.
- Less time spent on hobbies and interests.
- Personal and professional problems related to ETOH abuse.
- Neglecting commitments at home, work, or school.
- Devoting a lot of time to drinking or recovering from the after effects of ETOH abuse.
- Consuming alcohol in dangerous situations.
- Ongoing ETOH abuse even though alcohol is causing or worsening a physical or mental health condition.
ETOH Withdrawal
Alcohol withdrawal, sometimes abbreviated to AWS (alcohol withdrawal syndrome), involves the presentation of uncomfortable symptoms when someone suddenly stops drinking after a period of ETOH abuse.
AWS can involve a combination of emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms, from fatigue and mild anxiety to nausea. Some of the more severe symptoms of AWS include seizures and hallucinations. Severe alcohol withdrawal can be fatal if untreated.
Abusive patterns of alcohol consumption irritate and excite the CNS (central nervous system). If you become physically dependent on alcohol, your system will struggle to adapt to its absence. The manifestation of withdrawal symptoms is the body’s response.
The first signs of alcohol withdrawal may present six hours after the last alcoholic beverage. These include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- High blood pressure
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal typically become more intense over the following three days, subsiding after a week or so.
The most severe form of alcohol withdrawal is called DTs (delirium tremens). The signs of DTs are:
- Fever
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Raised heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
Delirium tremens should be considered a medical emergency and can be deadly if untreated.
For help with all forms of ETOH abuse, we have a variety of personalized outpatient programs here at Renaissance Recovery Center in Orange County.
Alcohol Detox and Addiction Treatment at California Detox
When you are ready to face the challenge of alcohol detox and withdrawal, make it easier on yourself by choosing a licensed medical detox center like California Detox to kickstart your recovery.
Your treatment team will administer medications approved by the FDA during the week or so it will take to detox. These medications will reduce the intensity of cravings for alcohol and will also alleviate the withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol detox.
Once all alcohol is purged from your system, you can either continue with therapy in our inpatient program or you can transition into one of the following outpatient programs for alcohol use disorder:
- Outpatient program
- IOP (intensive outpatient program)
- PHP (partial hospitalization program)
- Remote rehab
If you have alcoholism and a co-occurring mental health condition like depression or anxiety, we offer integrated dual diagnosis treatment.
All California Detox treatment programs give you access to these interventions:
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- Psychotherapy (CBT and DBT)
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Family therapy
When you’re ready to tackle the physical and psychological components of alcohol use disorder, let us guide you from detox to discharge and beyond. Call 949.390.5377 for immediate assistance.
