Can alcohol elicit Criminal Behaviour?

A strong relationship exists between the abuse of alcohol and the occurrence of accidents and acts of violence. As the suppressed feeling of aggression and hostility are released, the drinker goes into a state of artificial display of bravery. Tasks, which require control of speed and sensorimotor coordination in keeping a vehicle on its course and braking in impaired at 50 mg%. The driver experiences an increase in boldness and impulsiveness, this results in a tendency to drive faster and more erratically. Acute alcohol intoxication is a factor in suicides and homicides.

Alcohol slows the reactions of the victim and he may not be able to protect himself in time form an assault. He may be struck with a minimum or no defense injuries. Alcohol causes dilation and congestion of blood vessels, so that injuries will result in greater an prolonged bleeding, If there is chronic alcoholic liver disease which impairs the clotting of blood, the bleeding will be more extensive. If a victim is severely intoxicative, he may die from inhalation of blood or vomit while lying on his back following injuries, especially of the head or face.

Physiological effects and relative concentrations of alcohol

Physiological effects at blood alcohol concentration

0 to 50mg%: No significant effect or mild euphoria

50 to 100mg%: Decreased inhibitions, increased self confidence, decreased attention span, mild incoordination, alteration of judgment, nystagmus

100 to 150mg%: Some mental confusion, emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, ataxia, impaired memory, sleepiness, slowed reaction time

150 to 300mg%: Loss of muscular coordination, staggering gait, marked mental confusion, drowsiness, exaggeration of emotions, dizziness, decreased pain response, disorientation, and thickened speech.

300 to 400mg%: Stupor, marked incoordination, marked decreased in response to stimuli, possibly coma

400 mg% or more: Anesthesia, depression of responses, respiratory, failure, deep coma, and death


Relative concentration of alcohol at equilibrium

Whole Blood: 1.00
Plasma or serum: 1.12 to 1.2
Brain: 0.85
Spinal fluid: 1.1 to 1.27
Vitreous: 1.2
Urine: 1.3
Liver: 0.85
Alveolar air: 0.021

Why do People get addicted?

Researches have shown the involvement of opium system in the pleasurable reinforcement effects of alcohol. This takes place probably by blunting dopamine mediated reward function. Trials among post alcoholic addicts have shown that the long acting opium antagonist helps in the alcoholic treatment by preventing relapse of alcoholism. It had reduced the withdrawal symptoms like alcohol craving, number of drinking days and chances of resumed heavy drinking.