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Psychedex
Facts label

Alcohol Facts

Depressant; Alcohol; GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(g)
Threshold< 10 gLight10 – 20 gCommon20 – 30 gStrong30 – 40 gHeavy40+ g

Starts in 2 – 5 minLasts 1.5 – 5 hoursAfter-effects 6 – 48 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Critical
Chronic toxicity
Critical
Physical dependence
High
Psychological dependence
High
Withdrawal
Life-threatening · fatal · medical supervision
Compulsive redosing
High

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10.5 days
Carries over to
Benzodiazepines; Barbiturates; GHB; Other GABA-A positive allosteric modulators

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Proprioceptive distortion; Spatial disorientation; Vestibular distortion; +17 possible, including Visual acuity suppression, Double vision
Body
Sedation; Muscle relaxation; Motor control impairment; Dehydration sensation; Increased urination; Dizziness; +25 possible, including Nausea, Headache, Temperature dysregulation
Thinking
Analysis suppression; Information processing suppression; Memory suppression; Thought deceleration; Cognitive impairment; Focus suppression; Decision impairment; +16 possible, including Language suppression, Thought disorganization, Confusion
Feeling
Anxiety suppression; Emotional enhancement; +8 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety, Depression
Self
Disinhibition; +8 possible, including Ego inflation, Communication suppression, Craving
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Awareness
none likely · 1 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Concurrent opioid use; Concurrent benzodiazepine use; Concurrent GHB/GBL use; Hepatic cirrhosis / severe liver disease; Disulfiram therapy; Pregnancy (any amount); Operating vehicles or machinery
Relative
Seizure history / epilepsy; History of alcohol use disorder; Major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders; Hepatitis B or C co-infection; Concurrent acetaminophen in heavy drinkers; ALDH2*2 carriers (ALDH2 deficiency)

Combinations66 recorded

Lethal (9)
2-Fluorodeschloroketamine; Baclofen; Buprenorphine; GHB, GBL; Kratom; MAOIs; Methoxetamine; Opioids; Tramadol
Dangerous (34)
Anticholinergics; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Caffeine; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; GHB, Baclofen; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; Naltrexone; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NSAIDs; Stimulants; THC; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Dopamine agonists; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; and 10 more, see full page
Caution (18)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/alcohol
Not graded (5)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Extreme drowsiness — can't stay awake or be roused
  • Confusion, slurred speech, severe loss of coordination
  • Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
  • Unconsciousness / unresponsive; limp, floppy body
  • Blue lips or fingertips
  • Vomiting while sedated (choking / aspiration risk)
  • Cold, clammy skin; weak pulse

What to do

  1. Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
  2. If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
  3. Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
  4. Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
  5. Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
  6. Do not give other drugs, stimulants, or more depressants

Most depressant overdoses resolve with airway protection, breathing support, and monitoring. The danger is respiratory depression and choking on vomit — sharply worse when combined with opioids or alcohol. GHB/GBL overdoses often involve sudden deep unconsciousness and may self-resolve, but airway protection is essential.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/alcohol · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout