Synonyms
Definition
Alcohol consumption, as the term is used in clinical and research applications, refers to the act of ingesting – typically orally – a beverage containing ethanol. Ethyl alcohol or ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is the only type of alcohol that is safe for human consumption. Other types of alcohol, such as isopropyl and methyl alcohol, are toxic and potentially lethal. Alcoholic beverages that are typically consumed may include beer, wine, distilled spirits, and beverages that contain combinations of these or other additives, including malt liquor, fortified wine, liqueur, and cordials.
Description
Relevance to Behavioral Medicine
Alcohol consumption is an important construct in behavioral medicine because alcohol is a psychoactive substance that affects the body in various ways. In addition to its acute effects, it can have longer-term medical, psychiatric/psychological, social, economic, and occupational effects on individuals, families, communities, and...
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Collins, S.E., Kirouac, M. (2013). Alcohol Consumption. In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_626
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