Does Hair Alcohol Testing Reveal Alcohol That’s Been Inhaled Through A.w.o.l?

If a person inhales alcohol verses drinking alcohol, could a person still test positive for alcohol abuse with the same alcohol detection drug service testing such as urine, blood or hair alcohol testing? The answer is yes. First, to describe what it means to inhale alcohol.

 

A.W.O.L stands for Alcohol WithOut Liquid, a device that converts hard liquor into a mist that can be inhaled. Inhaling alcohol increases the rate of intoxication bypassing the stomach and directly entering the bloodstream. The device is two-part machine: a vaporizer and an oxygen generator. A user will pour a half shot of an 80 proof spirit into a “diffuser capsule” and then oxygen is pumped into a tube that is connected to a vaporizer device which turns the liquid into vapor and the user will inhale the alcoholic mist into their lungs, similar to the action of an asthma inhaler. A person can quickly be intoxicated with this device because it instantly goes into the bloodstream. Proponents of the device claim that it eliminates hangover symptoms because alcohol doesn’t spend the time it would in the kidneys or liver. They also claim that because it bypassing the stomach, it is a low-calorie way to consume alcohol. Opponents of the A.W.O.L device have several concerns besides disagreeing with the previous statements.

 

Some opponents wonder about alcohol overdosing or an increase in brain damage from directly flooding the bloodstream with alcohol without it first being broken down. When a person consumes alcohol by drinking it, the body is able to break it down through the liver and the kidneys and the stomach can prevent consumers from over drinking based on fullness. So if exhaling alcohol is one way the body removes the toxins from the body- could a person inhale alcohol and not test positive say in a urine or hair test? What the most sensitive tests look for today is EtG, or ethyl glucuronide, a direct metabolite of alcohol which is only revealed in tests where a person tests positive for alcohol consumption.

 

Ethanol must enter the bloodstream to get to the brain.  If ethanol enters the bloodstream, it will be distributed to other tissues throughout the body including the liver and therefore, will be metabolized.  Once metabolized, EtG can be formed and will be eliminated into the urine, breath and into the hair shaft. If someone does inhale alcohol, it will still be metabolized through traditional means that may result in positive EtG findings. Some types of EtG testing may not be as accurate as hair alcohol testing which is able to reveal the tiniest amounts of alcohol consumption including hand sanitizers, mouthwash and antiseptic.

 

Because the true effects of A.W.O.L. are still unknown, the US has already banned the device in 22 states. The risks of brain damage and accidents caused by unknown consumption with the device lead government officials to quickly stop a trend before it starts. With natural drinking abuse already out of hand, it’s hard to justify a device that makes it easier to be stupid.

Medical complications of alcohol abuse

medical complications of alcohol abuse as written by someone who’s entire family are alcoholics. I have heard of my sister dying by a gunshot. She was drinking with her boyfriend and they were fighting and he was drunk and he shot her.

I have watched my brother die. He survived the operation for the perforated colon-caused by the alcohol-only to have brain-stem damage-caused by the alcohol-and lost the abilily to swallow. His liver was the size of a football, he was yellow with jaundice. The brain-stem damage also made it impossible for him to walk. He made the choice to slowly slip away, aided by morphine. The only things he wanted in the end were beer and cigarettes.

He lived to drink. We figured in the later years, he had “wet brain”. On the wall at the hospital was a poster listing all the effects of alcoholism; he had all of them.

Basic cocktails all bartenders should know – Part 1

It’s amazing. Every where you look there are the same 50 drinks that every bartender should know how to make, but look in the recipe books and there are at least three variations of every title.

So here are your 50 drinks, brought to you in alphabetical order. Alabama Slammer, Amaretto Sour, B-52, Brandy Alexander, Bloody Mary, Blow Job, Black Russian, Blue Hawaiian, Buttery Nipple, Cape Codder, Colorado Building, Cosmopolitan, Cuba Libre, Dr. Pepper, Fuzzy Navel, Gibson, Gimlet, Godiva Chocolate Martini, Grasshopper, Greyhound, Harvey Wallbanger, Jello Shots, Kamikaze, Lemon Drop, Liquid Cocaine, Long Island Iced Tea, Lynchburg Lemonade, Madras, Mai tai, Margarita, Martini, Mojito, Mudslide, Old Fashion, Orgasm, Pina Colada, Purple Hooter, Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, Rum Runner, Salty Dog, Seabreeze, Sex on the Beach, Singapore Sling, Slow Comfortable Screw, Strawberry Daiquiri, Tequila Sunrise, Tom Collins, Whiskey Sour and last but not least, Woo Woo.

It seems that just seeing the list evokes similar comments.

“That one is good.”

“Where did that name come from?”

“Maybe we should try that one.”

Consequently, my friends and I took our lists down to the local establishment and highlighted the one’s we had never tried. The bar tender saw our listed and leaped into song. I kid you not. In bartender school they were required to learn the name to all these drinks and his class had did it to a tune. We were amazed and that was before we were even served one drink.

Our ever so friendly and helpful bartender explained that it might not be wise to try all our highlighted beverages in one evening in his bar. He picked a letter. It was “G” and we tried every G cocktail we had never had. He also supplied us with what he called munchie food. We have a date with our bartender next week to try the letter “B”.

Bar tending is much more than making a drink. It’s taking card of people and we will always be grateful to Sam for taking care of us.

Alcohol and Headaches

For people who are prone to headaches identifying triggers is an important part of pain management. Alcohol is a common headache trigger for those who already suffer from headaches and on top of that, those who are usually headache-free will still suffer headaches from the hangover effect.

Headache Triggers

Alcoholic drinks contain ethanol, which can contribute to headaches through various mechanisms. Headaches begin from blood vessel vasodilation and ethanol can prompt these changes. In addition, ethanol is a diuretic and prompts the urinary loss of several vitamins and minerals, as well as causing dehydration.

Headaches may occur shortly following consumption of alcohol or the next morning, with the infamous ‘hangover.’ Those occurring shortly after tend to indicate specific alcohol sensitivity and are more likely to occur in people who already experience migraines or other such headaches.

Cluster headaches, in particular, are triggered by alcohol. For some people, it is the precise type of alcoholic drink that causes a headache. A person may experience a headache from one glass of wine but find that he or she can drink several shots of vodka without suffering from a headache. Even within wines, for example, some may find that a glass of white wine causes no problem yet red wine leaves them with an excruciating migraine. Red wine contains tyramine, which is a known migraine trigger and so avoidance of red wine may be necessary for some people.

Hangovers

A hangover is essentially a toxic reaction to alcohol and can even be considered food poisoning. Alcohol is a diuretic, thereby flushing fluids from your body, and will generally leave you quite dehydrated as well as contributing to a headache. Many of the impurities in addition to the alcohol itself can leave your stomach feeling upset and uncomfortable. Symptoms of a hangover include:

* Headache

* Extreme thirst

* Nausea

* Vomiting

* Fatigue

* Diarrhoea

There are several things you can do to avoid a hangover and the subsequent headaches that occur, with complete elimination of alcohol being the obvious one. Other tips include:

* Hydrate yourself prior to drinking with either water or sports drinks.

* Limit the amount of alcohol you consume to one or two drinks.

* Avoid those drinks that trigger headaches, such as red wine, for example.

* Eat before you drink, with a focus on sufficient fat. Fat takes the longest to digest of the macronutrients, and will help to slow the absorption of alcohol.

Painkillers

Be extremely cautious the next day if taking any painkillers for your headache, as alcohol still in your system combined with painkillers such as acetaminophen can have dangerous effects. Be sure to drink water to combat the dehydration caused by the alcohol. Many people drink coffee the next morning but as coffee it also a diuretic, this will only increase your dehydration and may also further upset your stomach and intensify your headache.

Alcohol Safety

You are the one to decide how much alcohol you can safely consume before you suffer from a headache. You may need to make a note of which drinks seem to trigger your migraines or other headaches. If you are fortunate enough to normally be headache-free, taking a little extra care before, during and after drinking by eating a balanced meal, drinking sufficient fluids and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol can help prevent a hangover headache the next day. With a little extra effort in looking after yourself, you should be able to enjoy a few drinks and your body will thank you the next day. You’ll feel better for it and can avoid those painful headaches.

The sensitive nation: Being offended is every Americans right

As a nation, America has become way to petty and nitpicky. You can virtually sue anyone in this country for nearly anything, including what they say to or about you.

While it is every American’s right to say what they think or want to; much of what we say is offensive to others. Nevertheless, we seem to insist on persecuting each other with comments, names and degradation despite how much or whom we offend. One has to wonder if simple courtesy exists in America today. On the surface, it would seem that it doesn’t.

The Christians can’t put up the Ten Commandments because other religions are offended. Yet, no one has ever tried putting up the basics of Judaism, the basic tenets of Buddhism or any other religions governing rules and laws in a courthouse. I for one would not be offended if they were all side-by-side on the same wall of the courthouse; they all are basically similar.

So what if the wording is different? It does no one harm to see a different viewpoint. It only allows for more understanding between peoples, races, and religions.

During the religious holidays, I have no objection to a large Menorah sitting next to the big, Christmas tree in Times Square nor any other religions symbols, which could be added. I have known Muslim’s and Christians who have celebrated Christmas and Ramadan together. It’s simple consideration for one’s fellow human beings.

We seem to be taking away each other’s freedoms and rights in this country, more and more because of our narrow-mindedness and prejudices. Yet, if we are to continue being part of the family of humankind then we must learn tolerance. Tolerance for each other’s opinions, each other’s ideas, lifestyles, political and social preferences, race, gender and more. It is only right and good that we do.

We can’t continue to stomp people’s CD’s because our political view is different. Nor can we keep expelling children from grade school for turning cartwheels or for bringing “Jello” shots.

It’s so asinine the way that we go about censoring each other’s freedoms.

Granted that there are some things that in the overall range of human and social acceptance that should be outlawed, e.g., child porn, molestation, rape, physical, mental or emotional abuse, stalking, theft and murder, for instance, but we seem to go way overboard with regard to allowing each other’s views, opinions, comments and beliefs. Such censorship is the mark of an ignorant society, in my own opinion. (Someone will probably want me censored for that remark, but the constitution allows me to say it.)

While there is nothing wrong with getting offended, we have to learn to stop taking offense to every teensy thing that is said or done in our society. We seem to prefer acting like immature children while at the same time boasting about how we value education. It is neither adult nor educated to take offense at every little thing that comes our way. At some point we all have to stop and ask ourselves, “Have I gone too far?” That includes both those of us doing the offending and those on the receiving end. Then and only then can we make headway as a society of dignified and humane human beings.

What to talk about on a first date

Ah yes, the first date. You finally got the connection one way or another and now the production must begin. Remember, it is more about the personal connection than the inference of one.

Do talk about things that include the other person. A narcissist will not be a good first date, if you show your true colors immediately. That will be better off left till say the third date, which is another topic for a later date. Say things like, “I like Country music, what kinds of music do you like?” This could be important for future dates considering you don’t take a head-banger to a Garth Brooks concert.

Do talk about how the other person looks in polite terms. In other words, don’t say things like. “I like your shirt but, don’t you think you would look better in a lighter shade of blue?” Try things like, “I love your hair, it brings out the natural color of your eyes.” This may seem corny but, at least your actually looking at his/her eyes.

Feel free to discuss the weather and at all costs if you want a second date. Avoid Politics and religion. Or do you want a lifetime of arguments over everything? If your a lawyer you might like that otherwise, skip it. Stick to safe topics and do not stick your head in the how many kids do you want category. Another date, another topic.

Sexual deviancy can also wait till you get past the say second or third date. This will usually mean you have had several phone calls telling each other how much you miss them. Which will allow you to get a better feel for someone before you tell them how much you want to handcuff them to a bed and spank their bottoms, don’t you think?

Use safe words, safe topics and all should be fine. You really should avoid the party bar on your first date unless all you want is another party guest. How can you truly get to know someone while drinking Jello Shots and Beer Chasers? Do you want a date or a barmaid gone bad?

You will eventually have to get at some point the goodbye. Feel out your opponent. Are they stand-offish? Are they leaning to the other side of the car in case you want a goodnight kiss? No one likes a garlic butter smooches you know.

Above all else smile, have a good time and be yourself. Try to listen as well as talk. To truly find love, you must truly share one’s life.

What to expect when you visit the ER

Visiting the ER? When was the last time you visited an ER? 6th Grade Health class field trip? Do we really visit the ER? Visiting would imply that we were there to maybe do some socializing, have something cold to drink, you know, like when you visit your in-laws. Being sent, rushed, transported, waiting in. That would be more like it.

We of course all know you are going to be subjected to enough red tape and triplicate forms to give you carpal tunnel syndrome that the hospital insists you sign before they will reattach that limb for you. But what about the other stuff lingering in the emergency room. Sure doctors, nurses, orderlies pop in and out. But what of the crap you have to sit and look at for the 7 hours while you wait to see someone?

The television set in the corner of the room. Expect to see a TV somewhere, but I think it is hospital mandate that says it needs to be at the highest apex of the room in a corner that will muffle as much of the sound as possible. Anyone sitting close enough to hear the TV, will certainly not be able to watch the TV. And as for what is on? Under penalty of law, we are unable to change the channel for any reason whatsoever. Good rule of thumb(assuming you still have one if you are waiting in the ER) is to bring something to occupy your time. Horse tranquilizers work best, but a book, a magazine, something to take up some time, because lord knows you won’t be catching Desperate Housewives.

Expect an absolutely fantastic number of cultures and languages to be represented at the ER. If you are one who is a tad worrisome of Hispanics…the ER may not be the place for you. But if you are one who embraces foreign cultures then the ER is your United Nations. It’s the only place other than a sports arena, where you will be able to sit next to a Buddhist scientologist that speaks fluent French on your right and to your left a practicing Aztec nihilist who has brought his family of 6 to the ER with him and has not stopped talking since he came in. Across the room you’ll take notice of the suburbanite prom queen who thought it was a good idea to shotgun a bottle of cranberry schnapps while her boyfriend did jello shots off of her stomach. Running mascara and badly teased hair abound.

You can expect to wait an extremely long time for service. If major arteries have been severed or you are holding your ear in a Ziploc bag full of ice, you’ll most likely be seen immediately. Otherwise…have a seat.

Magic as compared to prayer

A few years ago, I went to a costume party for Halloween dressed like a

piece of fried chicken when I noticed 3 witches in the corner near the

stereo. My buddy, Sparky, was dressed like a piece of chalk and he

noticed the witches making gestures to the CD player like they were trying

to cast spells on it. This drew lots of stares from Frankenstein and

Cinderella, they lived in the apartment.

Sparky said, “Those witches really are getting on my nerves.” I turned

to him and smiled.

“Don’t worry, man. It’s not like they are going to turn you into a frog

or anything.” I replied. One of the witches had red hair and looked

hot in her fish-net stockings. The other 2 witches had green hair and

looked like a couple of 300-pound sea hags. Needless to say, the red hair

witch could turn me into a frog anytime.

The red-haired witch turned to me and I stuck out my tongue. She gave

me the meanest look a witch with red hair could give.

That’s when it started. The witches got into a circle and started doing

keg stands and jello-shots. The green-haired witches began making out

while the red-haired witch danced on the table. Frankenstein and

Cinderella were getting all upset and yelled, “Hey you sea hags, time to go!”

After this happened, the witches gathered their supplies and walked

out the door. As they left, the red-haired witch told me, “I am going to

turn everyone in here into slugs…”

Sparky overheard this and this began a rather frank discussion between

the fried piece of chicken, a piece of chalk, Frankenstein and

Cinderella.

I told Frankenstein that I prayed that I wake up as myself and not a

slug.

Cinderella argued that praying prevents magic from happening. So I

thought I was in the clear. God was on my side, not on some red-haired

witch.

Frankenstein told me a different story. He said witchcraft was more

powerful than religion. That’s when we noticed that the CD player started

skipping and we knew the witches put a spell on it.

Sparky the piece of chalk was drunk and told me that witches are great

because of the magic. If he owned a witch, he would ask the witch to

get him a ham sandwich when he wanted one. I liked that idea.

Ham is delicious.

I asked the others about praying for ham, but everyone said that God

doesn’t do magic and my best bet was for ham to appear by magic.

After a few days of pondering what is better, prayer or magic, I ended

up bumping into the red-haired witch at a thrift store. The only thing

was she in disguise as a regular person, but this did not stop me from

asking her if she could get me a ham sandwich. She asked who I was and

I told her I was the fried piece of chicken at the party. Her name was

Sandy Bob and she told me to get lost. Just like a witch.

I asked Sandy Bob what the problem was and she kept saying she was not

a witch, that’s when I told her that I like magic too. I even showed

her the lightning bolt tattoo I had on my shoulder to show her I liked

magic. That’s when I really knew she was witch because she cast a spell

for 3 cops to show up and arrest me. I guess it would have been better if

I prayed for ham.

Drink recipes: Bull shot

The Bull Shot is a drink intended for those with a strong stomach and a taste for spicy drinks. It is the sister drink to the Bloody Mary; being that it’s ingredients are very similar with the exception of using beef bouillon instead of tomato juice. The Bull Shot can be served warm in the winter and is believed to be better when served before a meal. Or, in some cases, the heavier drinkers may prefer to make it their meal.

The Bull Shot is also considered a drink to be reckoned with when using it as a hangover cure. Of course, in my experience, any alcoholic drink when consumed in excess of two or three drinks in one sitting will become a cure to the most vicious hangover, keeping in mind the first drink is always the most difficult to get down.

Vodka is the alcohol of choice when making a Bull Shot. It’s important to remember that the quality of the alcohol increases the quality of the drink. In addition, the quality of your bartenders ability to make a perfectly mixed cocktail will also make or break the taste of this spicy delight.

Simply add the following ingredients into a cocktail shaker, over ice:

2.5oz Vodka

5.0oz Beef Bouillon

.5oz Lemon Juice

One dash Worcester Sauce

4-6 Drops Tabasco

Pinch of Celery Salt

Salt & Pepper

Shake & strain into a low-ball cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Enjoy!

What is Alcohol Poisoning?

When a large quantity of alcohol is consumed, usually over a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. The human body is capable of processing 1 to 1.5 ounces of alcohol in an hour. This is the amount usually contained in a standard drink – a 12 ounce bottle of beer, a five ounce glass of wine, or one mixed drink (however, many mixed drinks and punches contain far greater quantities of alcohol).

It is well known that alcohol is a depressant and dulls or weakens functioning abilities of the nerves which control an individual’s breathing, heartbeat and gag reflex. The gag reflex is activated when the body cannot process all of the alcohol consumed. What it cannot process, is vomited out, due to the gag reflex. When the gag reflex is weak, the body absorbs even the extra alcohol, which otherwise it would excrete as vomit. In extreme cases, this can cause alcohol poisoning.

The following are the symptoms that indicate possible alcohol poisoning:
1 The person is unconscious
2 The person is taking in less than 12 breaths per minute, or no breaths at all for up to 10 seconds at a time.
3 The skin/lips are cold and turning blue in color
If you happen to be with someone displaying the symptoms of alcohol poisoning, you should call for emergency help immediately. In the meanwhile, turn the person over to their side in order to prevent them from choking if they happen to vomit in the state of unconsciousness.
Other symptoms to be watched out for in a person who has been drinking too much are:

1 Slurred speech
2 Difficulty walking or standing up
3 Unpredictable behavior
4 Inability to make eye contact or continue a conversation
5 A lot of vomiting and feeling ill
At the hospital, the patient suffering from alcohol poisoning may undergo a stomach wash, where a saline solution is used to wash and pump out its contents. Alcohol poisoning is a serious effect of excessive drinking and can be fatal if not attended to in time.

There is a common understanding that mixing drinks will make you more drunk. For example mixing beer with, say vodka. However, mixing alcoholic drinks will not make one more or less drunk. What is important is the amount of alcohol consumed in a specific amount of time. But, combinations of certain beverages may cause the drinker’s stomach to get upset. Each individual should keenly watch their body’s own reactions and drink accordingly.

Alcohol poisoning or even unpleasant drunken behavior can be avoided by taking the following simple precautions:

1 Take your drink slowly
2 Sip your drink, don’t swallow big gulps
3 Dilute your drinks
4 Avoid undiluted shots
5 Take alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alternately
6 Be on a full stomach before you begin drinking

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