Drunkenness
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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 or impaired ability to type. It is part of the effects of alcohol on the body.
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 a "lush", "alco", "alkie", or "jakey".
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".
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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 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 of the Catacysm of the Catholic Church (CCC 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
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- Effects of alcohol on the body
- Addiction
- Alcoholic beverages
- Alcoholism
- Beer goggles (slang)
- Ethanol
- Hangover
- Pub crawl
- Squeans
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 drunkde:Trunkenheit
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