Alcohol

Alcohol can also be known as hooch or booze. A legal high that was once illegal in the US, and is now legal again because everyone loves alcohol. Yay alcohol! Alcohol is a very general term for a myriad of beverages containing the chemical ethanol, which is the end-product of a process known as fermentation. Alcoholic beverages are split up into three main categories: beer, wine, and spirits. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.

Dosage

The amount of alcohol that one person has in their body at one time can be accurately measured via the Blood Alcohol Content (or BAC). For an in-depth look at what exactly happens at different BAC levels, please consult the Effects section later on in the wiki. The average dose of alcohol to start feeling the effects of it is unique for everyone, meaning that people have to find their boundaries out by themselves. There are, however, certain factors that will affect how much alcohol requires one to become intoxicated and how long it lasts (For further reading, please consult http://www.alcohol.vt.edu/Students/alcoholEffects/intoxFactors.htm ).

• Food

If you have eaten recently or eat along with your alcohol, it will take longer for you to absorb it into your bloodstream. Do note that there is no significant difference on what food you eat, but the larger the meal and the closer it is to the time of drinking will have a more significant effect.

• Strength of Drink (aka Proof)

The higher the ABV (alcohol by volume) of the drink, the quicker it will get absorbed. The optimal ABV is between 10% and 30% (20-60 proof alcohol, meaning most standard spirits). Anything lower will be diluted and the absorption will be slowed and anything higher will irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing mucus to secrete, which will slow down alcohol absorption.

• Body Fat and Weight

The general rule is the less you weigh, the faster you will get drunk. However, higher body fat percentage will also increase your BAC faster, due to fat having lower water content than muscles, meaning that it will not absorb as much alcohol as muscles, so the alcohol stays in the blood. To dispel confusion, let's say Michelle (women typically have a higher body fat percentage than males) weighs 125 pounds and is very fit, while Michael is 250 pounds and is morbidly obese. Even though women typically have a higher body fat percentage than men, in this case, Michael has a higher body fat percentage than Michelle. Even though he weighs more, Michael will get drunk faster than Michelle.

• Tolerance

As with many other drugs, the longer one is exposed to it, the more of a resistance is built up in the body against it. This is probably the most critical difference between people's ability to hold alcohol.

Forms

Beer

Beer is the most common alcoholic beverage in most parts of the world. Beer is derived from the fermentation of sugars converted from starches present in grain (for example, barley and malt) in a process called "mashing". Beer is the third most popular drink in the world, behind tea and water. Beer can take on dozens of different forms, colors, and ABVS. The two broadest categories of beer are lagers and ales. Lagers are brewed with yeast strains that prefer cool temperatures (35-60 degrees F) while ales are brewed using yeast strains that operate better at room temperature. Lagers are typically smoother and lighter than ales. The average ABV for your standard American beer can is around 5% ABV (10 proof), but can go anywhere from less than 1% to ~12% (beers with higher alcohol content are commonly referred to as barley wines or malt liquor).

Wine

Wine is another very popular form of alcoholic beverage derived from the fermentation of naturally occurring sugars in nature. These sugars mostly come from fruits such as grapes or apples, but can also come from converted starches (ex. Sake is a Japanese rice wine) and sugars such as honey (honey wine is also known as mead). Wine is very different from beer in many ways, including fermentation process and flavor. Wine is commonly associated with more upper-class drinking establishments and is also seen as a higher-class drink than beer. With the way wine is fermented, it also has an ability to more complex and varied flavors than other alcohols. Wine also tends to have a higher ABV than beer, mostly ranging from 11-15% ABV (22-30 proof). It can go higher than this, but instead of wine is called fortified wine (e.g. port wine, sherry, or Catholic consecrating wine). The common drinker will usually see wine drank at the common college party by women or pretentious faggots and at any high-class establishment imaginable.

Spirits

Spirits are probably the most broad category of alcohol. Spirits are basically everything else that isn't beer and wine. A good rule of thumb is that if you can take a shot of it, it's a spirit. Spirits are fermented in dozens of different ways and come from all sorts of raw materials, ranging from grain mash (whiskey) to agave (tequila). Sometimes, spirits are even made from distilled wine and beer (distilled wine is known as brandy). Spirits are everything from 20% to 95% ABV (40 to 190 proof). The common drinker will most likely be seen in a myriad of mixed drinks, ranging from the most basic Rum & Cola to the most complicated cocktails (many people substitute the word "martini" for cocktail, though a martini is really just 3 parts gin to one part vermouth, stirred with an olive for garnish). Many people will also drink spirits straight, usually in shot form. Many spirits also have an extreme reputation of just tearing people the fuck up (I'm looking at you, Everclear and Bacardi 151). A good rule with spirits for the novice drinker is to take these things VERY delicately. With one shot of 60 proof alcohol equaling one beer's worth of alcohol, spirits have a wonderful knack of sneaking up on people, like the most delicate prisoner, and then proceed to pound their assholes until bleeding occurs.

Alcopop

"Alcopop" is one of the less formal categories of alcohol and are the newest addition to the drinker's palate. Alcopop can go under a plethora of names such as breezers and wine coolers. There is a wide arrangement of alcopop, but all usually have a few common properties.

• 4%-7% ABV (8-14 proof)
• Contain some external flavors instead of the alcohol (these flavors usually being fruits)

Alcopop contain a large amount of groups, some of the more well-known drinks being Mike's Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice. The common drinker will see alcopops at many bars and both high school and college parties. There is a significant negative stigma towards alcopops, with many people seeing such drinks as "feminine".

Mommy's Mouthwash

Get a fake and don't kill yourself. Read more on the /hooch/ wiki.

Mommy's 95% Medical Grade Ethanol

So awesome even huffing it gets you high. Can be bought online from vendors or taken home from hospitals.

Effects

As previously stated, alcohol effects everyone differently. Alcohol, like many other drugs, will have different effects at different concentrations.

BAC: .03%-.05% Common Term: "Buzzed"

• Mild Eurphoria
• Sense of Well-Being
• Relaxation
• Talkativeness
• Reduced Inhibition
• Slight Decrease in Coordination
• Slight Decrease in Concentration
• Slight Decrease in Judgement
• Slight Decrease in Alertness

BAC: .06%-.10% Common Term: "Tipsy"

• Blunted Feelings
• Lack of Inhibition
• Extroversion (extreme sociability)
• Impaired Sexual Pleasures
• Decreased Reflexes
• Decreased Reasoning
• Decreased Depth Perception
• Decreased Peripheral Vision

BAC: .11%-.20% Common Term: "Drunk"

• Over-Expression
• Mood Swings
• Increased Aggression and Sadness
• Becoming Very Loud
• Decreased Motor Control
• Stumbling
• Slurred Speech
• Delayed Reaction Time

BAC: .21%-.29% Common Term: "Wasted"

• Stupor
• Loss of Understanding
• Severe Motor Impairment
• Loss of Consciousness or "Passing Out"
• Memory Blackouts
• Nausea or "the spins"
• Vomiting

BAC: .30%-.40%+ Common Term: "What the fuck are you doing, nigger?"

• Severe Depression
• Unconsciousness
• Decreased Heart Rate
• Decreased Breathing
• Alcohol Poisoning
• Death

After a night of heavy drinking, it is very common for people to obtain a myriad of physiological effects, also known as a hangover.

Homebrewing

Homebrewing is pretty self explanatory (brewing at the home hurf durf). The /hooch/ wiki has some good websites for some starting info if you're looking about homebrew.

The Fuzz Killing Your Buzz

Overview

Alcohol is one of the few subjects on this wiki that is completely and entirely legal. There are, however, strict regulations regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Drinking Ages

Officially, the drinking age in the United States is 21. In some states, however, a minor (for this article, meaning anyone who is under 21) is allowed to consume alcohol at a restaurant or public setting per some stringent guidelines.

• Religious ceremony
• If supervised by a parent or guardian

The second one is the most complicated of the two guidelines. Per personal experience of the author, who lives in a state that allows this (Ohio, but Kentucky does this as well[EDIT: It is illegal in KY for anyone under the age of 21 to consume or possess alcohol for any reason - State alcohol laws for those under 21]), here are the general guidelines:

• The minor cannot order the alcohol directly.
• The minor cannot pay for or help pay for the alcohol.
• The minor cannot become visibly intoxicated.
• The manager of the restaurant has every right to deny sale of the alcohol to the minor.
• This ONLY works in restaurants and ONLY for single drinks.

Drinking with Strangers

While it is perfectly ok to drink in public if you're 21 (or at least look old enough), it isn't ok to be drunk in public. The general rule of thumb is provided you aren't pants-on-head retarded, the cops won't really care. This is essential for the common college kid (read: minors), as one drunken night can get your parent's tuition money pulled straight out of you. From personal experience, a slight trip or something will be fine, just don't piss on a building or drink openly on the street while hooting and hollering.

I Gotta Get My Car Home Somehow...

... in the morning. Driving While Intoxicated (or Driving Under the Influence) is one of the dumbest possible things you can do while inebriated. NEVER. EVER. EVER. drive while intoxicated. You DO NOT want to take someone's life because you didn't want to call a cab.

Therefore, plan in advance. Find a trustworthy person with a car who has a well-established reputation of being a good designated driver, and ask if you can stay at his home while you sober up or have him give you a ride home. Don't know anyone like this? Bring extra money for a cab home. Can't afford to one? See if your city has a night transit system, such as Vancouver's NightBus, Melbourne's NightRider, or Paris's Noctilien; these are special night buses that usually have a police officer to make sure everything aboard is in order (including yourself, so do yourself a favor and try not to throw up!). You were the designated driver and you ended up drinking? Then hire a cab. Your friends don't want to? Then leave them stranded. Is leaving a friend stranded a heinous action? Be a fucking dick and leave him stranded, it's better than having him die because you were driving drunk. Your friend was the designated driver, but he got drunk and now he's being a belligerant shit? Slash his tires, it's better to make him drop $300 on new rubber than letting him ruin his life forever due to DUI charges. Your city has no night buses, you don't know of any trustworthy guy with a car, and you can't afford to a cab? Then tough shit my friend, you're not drinking today.

Legal Purchasing Age

Because we know every single one of you are going to acquire alcohol legally.
Some of those fancy hoity-toity European countries have different drinking ages for wine/beer, and for hard alcohol. Fuck 'em, they're not so great.

Country	Age
USA	21
Canada	18 (Federally, but some provinces raise to 19)
Mexico	18
Japan	20
UK	18
Australia	18
New Zealand	18
Belgium	16 (Yeah, thats right, 16)
Germany	16 (for beer and wine) 18 (for spirits)
The Netherlands	16(14,9% and lower) 18(15% and up and weed)
Bulgaria	18
Brazil	18
Your Country Here	???

Legal Limit

You should not be drinking and driving. Ever. No discussion. All you do by drinking and driving is hurt yourself, others, or even if no-one is hurt, you still feed the neo-prohibitionist fire. But you still ought to know the numbers you need to score to pass that Breathalyzer test. Note that minors under 21 in the USA (at least in Ohio) can be arrested for DUI at any BAC other than .00. This is sometimes .02 due to cough syrups often containing alcohol. Before you use a substance you should know all the risks and laws in your area, and, just don't drink and drive. **

Region	Blood-Alcohol %
Michigan, USA	.08
Nevada, USA	.08
Ohio, USA	.08
Oregon, USA	.08
Texas, USA	.08
Virginia, USA	.08
Florida, USA	.08
Australia (all states)	.05
Your Area Here	???

• • In Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the legal limit an underage minor can have is 0.02

Interactions

Alcohol + marijuana = win! ( though remember, beer before grass you're on your ass )

Alcohol + cannabis Sativa + Adderal = Loose, racing, clear headedness. Clean and complete thoughts that have a touch of stoner to them.

Alcohol + DXM = trip heavy balls, but you will most likely vomit. Tends to make DXM less psychedelic.

Alcohol + stimulants = focused blurriness/win.