0220 - Alcohol Consumption and Withdrawal

Question 1

By how much does 1 standard drink raise BAC? At what rate is alcohol metabolised?

Answer 1

1 Std drink raises BAC by 0.013, and metabolise at 0.012-0.02/hour.

Question 2

Where is alcohol metabolised? What is the process?

Answer 2

90-98% in liver by alcohol dehydrogenase.
Alcohol - (alcohol dehydrogenase)> Acetaldehyde -(aldehyde dehydrogenase) -> acetate
Saturates very quickly.

Question 3

How much is 1 standard drink? What quantity of light beer, heavy beer, wine, fortified wine, and spirits make up 1 std drink?

Answer 3

1 Std Drink - 10g Alcohol
Light - schooner (425mL)
Heavy - middy (285mL)
Wine - 100mL
Fortified wine - 60mL
Spirits/liqueur - 30mL

Question 4

What are the 4 NHMRC Guidelines on alcohol consumption?

Answer 4

1 - No more than 2/day reduces lifetime harm of alcohol-related disease or injury
2 - No more than 4 any occasion reduces risk of alcohol-related injury from that occasion
3(A) - Don’t drink under 15
(B) - Delay drinking as long as possible from 15-17
4 (A) - Safest option is don’t drink when pregnant or planning pregnancy
(B) - Safest option is don’t drink while breastfeeding.

Question 5

What is the standard screening tool for alcohol use disorders?

Answer 5

CAGE - Ever...
Felt you should Cut Down?
Angry when asked?
Feel Guilty?
Need Eye-opener?

Question 6

What are the standard blood tests for alcohol use (recent and chronic)

Answer 6

Recent - blood alcohol

Chronic - GGT, AST, ALT, MCV, CDT