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Tag: alcohol addiction

  • Top 10 Strongest Alcohols

    Top 10 Strongest Alcohols

     

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and slows down brain function. Though all alcohol is potentially dangerous, it’s important to that understand some alcohol is more deadly than others. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the strongest alcohols currently on the market. At the end of the article, we invite you to ask further questions.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: Less than 10 minutes.

    Table of Contents:

    The general amount of alcohol contained within liquor is 40%.

    How Do We Measure the Strength of Alcohol?

    We measure the strength of an alcoholic drink based on its percentage of alcohol content. The general amount of alcohol contained within hard liquor is 40%.

    Since much of the alcohol mentioned on this Top 10 list is much stronger than what we normally drink, it’s helpful to have something to compare it to. The following are your most typical alcoholic beverages and the percentage of alcohol each contains:

    • Beer, 4% to 5% alcohol content
    • Wine, 12% alcohol content
    • Fruit liquors, 28% to 32% alcohol content
    • Gin, 35% to 40% alcohol content
    • Vodka, 35% to 46% alcohol content
    • Rum, 40% to 46% alcohol content
    • Whiskey, 55% to 60% alcohol content

    The National Institutes on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse have created this graphic to help visualize the difference.

    However,, the alcohol percentages listed above are the average. What we’re about to list below are the ten strongest alcohols in the world. It’s vital to remember that drinking this amount of alcohol is very dangerous towards your health and well-being. Especially when getting behind the wheel.

    Every kind of alcohol sold on the market must be labeled under the Federal Alcohol Administration (FFA) Act. These labels will usually tell you the percentage of alcohol within each drink. Or, the label will give the “proof count”. For example, you purchase a whiskey which advertises itself as 100-proof. This is the doubled percentage of the alcohol content. Therefore, the whiskey you purchased has 50% alcohol within it.

    Alcohol addiction is a very serious disease and shouldn’t be left untreated. If you or anyone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, you need to seek help as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more time alcohol can ruin your life. Furthermore, if you happen to find any of the following alcohols within your liquor cabinet, it’s highly suggested you get rid of them. Again, these are the strongest alcohols the world has to offer and, likewise, the most dangerous.

    #10 – Absinthe (up to 72% Alcohol)

    Up until 2007, Absinthe was banned in the United States. This is primarily due to prior associations with the alcohol inflicting criminal-like behavior in those who drank it. Think mafia or just plain gangsters. Absinthe has psychoactive properties which caused seizures, thought to be caused by the grand wormwood plant – the source of Absinthe – and its production of thujone, a chemical which afflicts sleeplessness, convulsions, and hallucinations. It can be a serious danger and a lethal drug-of-choice.

    #9 – Bacardi 151 (75.5% Alcohol)

    Typically, people who drink Bacardi 151 do so through a variety of mixed drinks, such as combining it with fruit juice. . It is considerably one of the strongest rums ever created.

    However, this brand of Bacardi has been discontinued. The reason it’s no longer available for purchase is that people too often ignored the warnings of the drink being highly flammable. Due to this lack of inspection, many ended up exposing the bottle to open flames and experienced burns. If you still have a bottle of this lying around, it’s important to understand the fire safety risks involved with this alcohol.

    #8 – Devil Springs Vodka (80% Alcohol)

    Another highly flammable alcoholic beverage is Devil Springs Vodka. Coming in at 15 times stronger than your average beer, it comes to no surprise that this drink has found a market for abuse. It is especially popular with people and cultures who prefer vodka compared to other alcoholic beverages.

    As we climb the alcohol content ladder, it’s vital to remember that the stronger the alcohol is, the more dangerous it becomes to your health and the more susceptible the user ends up in terms of abusing it.

    #7 – Balkan 176 Vodka (88% Alcohol)

    An alcoholic drink so strong, it requires 13 health warnings on the bottle. The strongest drink made in Scandinavian, Balkan 176 is distilled three times over and is considered to be absolutely tasteless. This is dangerous, as without any pungent taste most associate with alcohol, this can leave the drinker consuming more and more, not realizing the potential harm he/she’s putting him/herself into.

    In fact, there are numerous reports of people experiencing alcohol poisoning and death due from drinking too much strong liquor in a short period of time.

    #6 – Pincer Vodka (88.8% Alcohol)

    Being the strongest alcohol Scotland produces, it comes to no surprise Pincer Vodka has similar qualities as Balkan 176. However, one major appeal of Pincer is the fact that it has such a low calorie count. So much so, there are people out there who claim they don’t get hangovers as bad as your average liquor.

    There is an obvious danger in this. One of the many qualities of alcohol that turns a social drinker off is the fact that they have to handle a hangover the next morning. Considering the calorie count of alcohol and what it can do to one’s health, it’s understandable that a responsible adult only drinks on occasions. However, since Pincer doesn’t offer these negative alternatives, there’s lies a stronger chance for abuse.

    #5 – River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum (90% Alcohol)

    There’s a certain quality to River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum. That is, the people who make it distill over a long period of time through an old, traditional pot stilling method. In turn, this gives it a very prominent flavor not usually found in alcohol with such a high percentage count.

    #4 – Bruichladdich X4+1 Quadrupled Whiskey (92% Alcohol)

    Balkan 176 Vodka is distilled three times over. But Bruichladdich X4 is distilled four times over, which is what gives it is name and appeal. Furthermore, it has a distinct taste which doesn’t match to most alcohols due to the fact that it’s aged in new oak casks.

    Due to the high level of alcohol content, we’re beginning to endeavor into very dangerous territory. This kind of alcohol can do serious harm to someone in a matter of minutes and it’s important to be aware of the fatal consequences alcohol can have if you’re not careful or properly prepared.

    #3 – Golden Grain (95% Alcohol)

    Golden Grain is made by the same people who make the next alcohol on this list and both drinks are actually very similar in appearance, taste, and effects they have on the user. It should be noted Golden Grain is illegal in certain parts of the United States.

    #2 – Everclear (95% Alcohol)

    Everclear was one of a kind when it came out, as no alcohol prior had could be labeled 190 proof. Furthermore, just like Pincer Vodka, it’s absolutely tasteless. As already mentioned, there are numerous dangers involved for those who decide to drink Everclear. Just as with all the alcohols on this list, addiction can happen much more quickly due to the fact that you need less of the drink to feel its effects.

    Furthermore, there are instances when an alcohol like Everclear is placed in someone’s drink without them realizing – a concept known as “drugging”. Inevitably, getting them much more inebriated than they intended to be or putting them in a dangerous position without their
    knowledge.

    #1 – Spirytus Rektyfikowany (96% Alcohol)

    Spirytus contains the most alcohol content by volume in the world. In fact, it’s not even legal in most states, due its potency. Though this alcohol is rare in the United States, it can be found in Poland or Eastern Europe, where it’s manufactured. Spirytus is without a doubt the most dangerous alcohol to intake and if you happen to run into it, or any of the other alcohols on our list, you should be aware of the risks this can have on your health.

    Alcohol’s Risk on Your Health

    Alcohol’s risk factors can be divided into two sections – the short term risks (those of which will appear either immediately or soon after drinking) and the long term risks (those of which will appear after drinking for months on end).

    The short term concerns primarily lie around over-drinking to the point of being incapable of inducing alcohol poisoning which can be fatal. Other health risks involved from short term use are:

    • Bluish tint to skin
    • Coma
    • Confusion
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Low body temperature
    • Seizures
    • Slow breathing
    • Vomiting

    Some people react to alcohol differently and even get sick from it, especially when they take too much of a beverage they can’t handle. If someone has a sensitivity to alcohol, they may feel the following:

    • Diarrhea
    • Facial flushing
    • Low blood pressure
    • Nausea
    • Worsening of asthma
    • Vomiting

    However, over time, people who drink alcohol frequently will develop a dependence. If this happens, they face the same health risks as the short term effects and more. These complications can include:

    • Brain and nerve damage
    • Cancer
    • Cardiomyopathy (damage to heart muscle)
    • Immune system dysfunction
    • Liver disease
    • Mental health issues (such as anxiety or depression)
    • Osteoporosis
    • Pancreatitis
    • Peripheral neuropathy
    • Stomach ulcers
    • Vitamin deficiency

    As you can see, an alcohol addiction is very serious and can have consequences on your health and well-being. If you or anyone you love is currently struggling with an alcohol addiction, it’s vital to seek out treatment as soon as possible.

    Check out this NIAAA blood alcohol content chart for more.

    Basics for Alcohol Addiction Treatment

    If you think that you have a drinking problem, finding help can be a life changing experience. The goal of treating an alcohol addiction is to look at life through a new, clearer perspective. And to understand oneself without the use of drugs. Alcohol addiction treatment happens in two important stages; detox and continued treated.

    During detox, your body rids itself of alcohol’s chemicals and returns to its normal, organic functioning – a state known as homeostasis. If you’re a chronic drinker or have developed dependence on alcohol, you’re going to feel withdrawal symptoms. The severity of these symptoms and how long they last all depends on your level of addiction.

    A reputable treatment facility will give you a proper medical assessment which will determine your level of physical dependence. ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION WHEN WITHDRAWING FROM ALCOHOL. Symptoms can become dangerous or life-threatening. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

    • Agitation
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Disorientation
    • Fatigue
    • Headache
    • Heightened sensitivity to light and sound
    • Irritability
    • Jumpiness or shakiness
    • Mood swings
    • Nausea
    • Nightmares
    • Sweating
    • Transient hallucinations (in more serious cases)
    • Tremor
    • Vomiting

    After your body withdraws, you’re going to need to take the time address your thinking. Again, how long this will take and how difficult it will be all depends on your level of addiction. Generally speaking, most people go through intensive psychotherapy for an initial 3-6 month period. Ongoing weekly therapy then lasts upwards of a year or more.

    Where to Find Help

     If you’re unsure as to where to turn, there are a variety of options at your disposal. Here are some suggestions:

    If you’re looking to talk to someone immediately, check out the following helplines:

    • Drug Hotline 877-736-9802
    • National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence HopeLine 1-800-475-HOPE (4673)
    • National Institute on Drug Abuse – Drug and Treatment Information 1-800-6224357
    • National Suicide Prevention Helpline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
    • Substance Abuse Helpline (available 24/7) 1-800-923-4327

    Furthermore, you can always call us for more information on how to find the right treatment facility. The helpline number listed on this page will connect you to American Addiction Centers (AAC). The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment. Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options. So, if you are ready to get help, reach out and pick up the phone.

    We’re happy to help!

    Your Questions

    If you have any further questions about the strongest alcohols or how to treat alcohol addiction, we invite you to ask them below. If you have any advice to give pertaining to these topics, we’d also love to hear from you. We try to reply to each question promptly and personally.

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  • Verne Troyer's Cause Of Death Revealed

    Verne Troyer's Cause Of Death Revealed

    The Austin Powers actor had been battling alcohol addiction in the limelight for over a decade. 

    Months after his passing in April, Verne Troyer’s cause of death has been determined.

    On Wednesday (Oct. 10) the Los Angeles County coroner’s office ruled the actor’s death a suicide by “sequelae of alcohol intoxication.” (Sequelae is defined as a condition that is a result of previous disease or injury.) Troyer died of multiple organ failure on April 21, 2018. He was 49.

    “Based on the history and circumstances as currently known, the manner of death is suicide,” said Deputy Medical Examiner Martina Kennedy in the coroner’s report.

    The Austin Powers actor had been battling alcohol addiction in the limelight for over a decade. He had been in treatment twice by 2016, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

    Troyer also appeared in the films Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and The Love Guru.

    In 2016, he said that he had cut down on his drinking. “[I’m] sober… I mean, I drink occasionally, but not to the extreme that I did.” 

    In April 2017, the actor released a statement after being hospitalized for alcohol addiction. “As you know, I’ve battled alcohol addiction in the past and while it’s not always been an easy fight, I’m willing to continue my fight day by day,” he posted on social media.

    He said at the time that he had been receiving treatment and will “continue to get the help that I need.”

    But a year later, he ended up in the hospital again with a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit.

    “The actor called 911 himself, repeatedly saying on the call and when he arrived to the emergency room that he wanted to die,” according to the Washington Post. Again, he announced that he would enter a treatment program. Troyer died just weeks later.

    “Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible,” read a statement on his social media accounts on the day of his passing. “Verne hoped he made a positive change with the platform he had and worked towards spreading that message everyday.”

    The post continued: “Verne was also a fighter when it came to his own battles. Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Why Some People May Be More Prone To Alcoholism Than Others

    Why Some People May Be More Prone To Alcoholism Than Others

    A landmark study may have pinpointed a gene that is linked to alcoholism.

    New research may provide further clues into how genetics play a role in the development of dependency on drugs and alcohol.

    A new study used rats that had been fed a steady diet of alcohol as test subjects; when offered more alcohol or a saccharine solution, a small but significant number continued to choose alcohol over the more preferable sweet offering, even when the choice meant that they would receive an electric shock.

    Upon examining the rats’ brains, the researchers found that the rats that chose alcohol had lower levels of a certain gene that controlled the release of a chemical linked to alcohol dependence.

    The study’s findings suggest that the gene may be the first step toward a greater understanding of, and even treatment for, alcohol dependency.

    The study published in the June 22, 2018 edition of Science, was conducted by a multinational group of researchers from the University of Illinois, Chicago, University of Texas, Austin and Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

    A test group of 32 rats was trained to consume a 20% alcohol solution for 10 weeks until it became a habit for the animals; they were then presented a daily choice of more alcohol or a solution of the artificial sweetener saccharine. 

    What they found was that the majority of the rats preferred the sugar option over alcohol—a common trait among mammals, as Scientific American noted, because sugar can be easily converted into calories and provide energy for survival. But four rats (12.5% of the study group) chose the alcohol every time, even under the threat of receiving an electric shock if they made that choice.

    Additional testing confirmed the scientists’ suspicions. “600 animals later, we found that a very stable population chose alcohol,” said senior study author Markus Heilig, director of the Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience at Linkoping in Sweden.

    From there, the scientists examined the brains of the rodent subjects, and found that a gene called GAT-3 was expressed to a much lesser degree in the brains of the rats that chose alcohol.

    As Scientific American noted, GAT-3 is linked to a protein that controls the levels of GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and one linked with dependency on alcohol. 

    Further research found that brain samples from deceased humans who had exhibited alcohol dependency also showed lower levels of GAT-3 in the amygdala, which is widely considered to be the brain’s center for emotions and in particular, fear.

    Heilig told Scientific American that it makes sense that the lowered levels would be found there and not in the brain’s reward center.

    “The rewarding effect of drugs happens in everybody,” he said. “It’s a completely different story in the minority of people who continue to take drugs [and use alcohol] despite adverse consequences.”

    Heilig and his team have begun work on a treatment for addiction based on their research; according to Scientific American, the drug suppresses the release of GABA, which could reduce the compulsion to consume alcohol in the face of dangerous circumstances. They are currently working with a pharmaceutical company in hopes of launching tests of their compound on humans.

    View the original article at thefix.com