Alcohol intoxication

"Tipsy" redirects here. For the song of the same name, see Tipsy (song) or for the London internet soap opera see Tipsy (soap opera)

Infirmary of a rock festival

Drunkenness, in its most common usage, is the state of being intoxicated with ethyl alcohol to a sufficient degree to impair mental and motor functioning. Common symptoms may include impaired speech, loss of balance, and other effects. Without being inebriated, a drinking person may be described as "buzzed" or "tipsy" while experiencing these symptoms to a lesser degree.

A person who is habitually intoxicated in this manner is labeled an alcoholic, often referred to as a "drunk" (a shortened form of the more traditional term "drunkard") or colloquially as an "alco", "alkie", "jakey," "whessy" or "lush".

Drunkenness can also be used to describe the effects of any number of illegal drugs. This is more commonly referred to as being "high", "stoned", or "tripping", depending on the specific drug in question.

Cultural attitudes

Many societies have cultural stereotypes associated with drunkenness; some consider the ability to drink vast quantities of alcohol worthy of respect. Such an attitude could be regarded as pathological, as it may lead to alcoholism. In many public places for alcoholic consumption such as bars, the act of not drinking alcohol and refusing offers of alcoholic drinks may appear to be "spoiling the atmosphere" and may be met with social disapproval. However, an intoxicated person is often considered unable to control his/her urges, or unable to acknowledge their limits of drinking, and is thus treated with disrespect, especially when exhibiting annoying or intrusive behavior.

The attitude towards being drunk varies quite a bit from one culture to another. Being drunk can be considered as a way of having fun or it could be seen as a disgrace and a total loss of honour. In some cultures drinking itself isn't considered bad, but being in a seriously drunken state is. For instance, in Finland, drinking and being in such a condition that one is having difficulty to communicate or even to walk is often viewed as an acceptable method of celebrating. In most other cultures people in this state prefer to hide indoors.

The symptoms of drunkenness are generally reported to be positive, at least initially. As the effects diminish, the associated hangover starts, mostly as a result of dehydration and exhaustion.

The ancient Greeks believed that putting a piece of amethyst in the glass or in one's mouth while drinking prevented drunkenness, and indeed the name of the gem alludes to this belief (Ancient Greek: "a-methyst", meaning "not intoxicated").

Many religions discourage or prohibit alcohol consumption. The Qur'an, or book of Islam, declares that God prohibits the consumption of alcohol by humankind because of harmful effects for the body, harmful effects for the consumer's life and family, social problems, and distraction from mindfulness of God.

The Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church states in paragraph 2290: "The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air." The Church does not prohibit the use of alcohol if it is done in moderation.

Nearly every Protestant denomination has a prohibition on drunkenness due to the Biblical passages condemning it (Proverbs 23:21, Isaiah 28:1,Habakkuk 2:15, et al). Some (Southern Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist, Pentecostal, some Methodist and Quaker Groups, etc.) condemn any consumption of alcohol.

Mormons also condemn any use of alcohol based upon their Word of Wisdom.

Buddhists abstain from alcohol to avoid unintentionally harming others. The intoxication of the mind also is at odds with the teaching of mindfulness.

Law

There are often many legal restrictions relating to sale and supply of alcohol, and particularly relating to those persons under eighteen years of age (twenty-one in some jurisdictions) or to somebody who is already intoxicated.

See also

• Effects of alcohol on the body
• Addiction
• Alcoholic beverages
• Alcoholism
• Beer goggles (slang)
• Ethanol
• Hangover
• Pub crawl
• Squeans
• List of iconic drinkers

Further reading

• "Out of It. A Cultural History of Intoxication" by Stuart Walton. (Penguin Books, 2002) ISBN 0140279776
• "Modern Drunkard" magazine - a humorous magazine about drink and the art of getting drunk