- Surrogate alcohol
Surrogate Alcohol is a term for any substance containing
alcohol that is consumed but is not meant for human consumption. Most people turn to these as a last resort either out of desperation or being unable to afford consumable alcoholic beverages.Common Surrogate Alcohols
Many alcoholic liquids contain alcohol but are not meant to be drunk like
beer ,wine or spirits are. Typical surrogate alcohols include:*
Mouthwash
*Aftershave or cologne
*Cleaning fluids such asWindex
*Rubbing alcohol and otherdisinfectants
*Rocket fuel
*Paints
*Antifreeze
*Wiper fluid
*Liquid soap
*Moonshine and other homemade alcohols, including two or more of the above mixed together.Dangers to Health
Most surrogate alcohols have very high alcoholic levels, some as high as 97%, and thus can lead to
alcohol poisoning , along with other symptoms of alcohol abuse such as vertigo, impairedcoordination ,balance andjudgment ,nausea ,vomiting , blurredvision , and even long-term effects such asheart failure andstroke .Besides alcohol, there are many other toxic substances in surrogate alcohol such as
hydrogen peroxide ,antiseptics ,ketones , as well as alcohols other thanethanol (drinking alcohol) such asisopropyl andmethanol . Consumption of these can lead to internalhemorrhaging andscarring ,ulcers ,headaches ,CNS depression ,coma anddeath .Russia
Surrogate alcohol is a common problem in
Russia [http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-news/Russian-surrogate-alcohols-are-a-killer-1846-1/] contributing to the high rate of alcohol-related deaths in the country. During the reign of theSoviet Union alcoholic beverages were often the only things the general public could afford, which lead to the rampant alcoholism Russia still suffers today. Once the USSR collapsed however, alcohol prices went up, leading people to turn to cheaper surrogate alcohol to satisfy their craving.Links
*http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-news/Russian-surrogate-alcohols-are-a-killer-1846-1/
*http://alcoholism.about.com/od/work/a/blacer051016.htm
*http://www.boozenews.ca/index.php?itemid=133
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