Course Description

Alcohol Use Disorder and Withdrawal

Course Summary

The amount of alcohol that is needed to cause intoxication, and its effects, vary greatly from person to person. People who drink regularly in high amounts are more tolerant of alcohol, and women tend to become intoxicated more easily than men. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and a respiratory depressant, and it can lower blood pressure and cause the blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels, especially in children. Acute alcohol intoxication is not considered a medical emergency unless the patient is having difficulty breathing, is hypotensive, or experiencing severe hypoglycemia. In some cases, someone who is acutely intoxicated will need to be monitored closely and provided with supportive care. Health care professionals need to be familiar with some basic facts and information about alcohol and the risks associated with its misuse.