Drug effects: Alcohol, UTC for healthcare professionals

The active component of alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol or ethanol, which has three principal elements in its action mechanism (Cruz, 2014):
 
-Inhibits the activity of the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate (NMDA) receptors

-By activating the GABA receptor, allows the chlorine ion to enter the intracellular environment

-The overall result is neuron hyperpolarization (Central Nervous System, CNS, depressor)

 
The activation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter system, together with the reduction in excitatory neurotransmission, are the mechanisms responsible for producing the symptoms observed in acute intoxication, such as drowsiness, disorientation, decreased reflexes and CNS depression.

References

-Cruz S. (2014). Los efectos de las drogas: de sueños y pesadillas; 2nd ed. Mexico City: Trillas

Related topics

UTC for healthcare professionals

• Neurobiology of Addiction: https://www.issup.net/node/7342
• Classification of Drugs: https://www.issup.net/node/7521
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): https://www.issup.net/node/8723