Over 14 million Americans each year abuse alcohol and over 400,000 of those are adolescents (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Yet only 10% of those who struggle with alcohol use disorder receive any treatment. The first step in getting help for those who need it – whether for yourself, your child, a friend, or a family member – is education on alcohol use and abuse. Keeping abreast of the commonly used alcohol slang amongst teens, knowledge of alcohol use disorder terms, and a familiarity with treatment options is a good place to start. The team from SBIRT Mississippi is here to share some of the terms associated with alcohol abuse of which everyone should be aware.
Alcohol Glossary
Alcohol misuse: Drinking in a way that could harm oneself or others (drinking too much, too often, or in potentially dangerous situations).
Alcohol use disorder (AUD): A disorder characterized by drinking frequently, excessively, and compulsively, including a loss of control and negative emotions when drinking. The spectrum for AUD can range from mild to moderate to severe.
Binge drinking: A pattern of consistent or frequent drinking in a relatively short amount of time, resulting in a BAC of 0.08 or higher. For females, this would include consuming 4 or more drinks in a few hours or for males 5 or more drinks in a few hours.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC): The percentage of alcohol found in the blood. The legal limit for driving is a BAC of 0.08 percent.
Drinking in moderation: Consuming 2 or fewer drinks a day for males and 1 drink or less a day for females.
Driving under the influence (DUI): Driving while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
DUI fatality: A fatality in a vehicular accident with a driver who has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more.
Heavy drinking: Having more than 4 drinks per day or 14 per week for men, and for women, consuming more than 3 drinks per day or 7 drinks per week.
High-intensity drinking: Binge drinking episodes where a person drinks double the amount of a typical binge drinking session. This means consuming more than 10 drinks for males and 8 drinks for females.
Alcohol Slang Terms
Slang development is constantly moving and evolving; terms are adapted, added, and changed consistently. Slang also varies by country, state, and even region. Some of the following slang terms for alcohol have been used over time to reference alcohol.
Hard alcohol, mixed drinks, cocktails:
- Booze
- Firewater
- Hooch
- Sauce
- Spirit
- Juice
- Poison
- Liquid courage
- Giggle juice or water
- Moonshine
- Mixology
- Tipple
- Nightcap
- Shooter
- Rotgut
- Up
- Highball
- One and one
- Jungle juice
- Hunch punch
- Amber nectar
- Liquid lunch
Beer:
- Brewski
- Suds
- Cold one
- Pint
Champagne:
- Bubbly
- Bubbles
- Champers
Terms for the act of drinking, the state of being drunk, or drunkenness commonly used include:
- Hammered
- Tanked
- Wasted
- Bombed
- Blitzed
- Fried
- Plastered
- Canned
- Juiced
- Tipsy
- Inebriated
- Annihilated
- Three sheets to the wind
- Cockeyed
- Oiled
- Blasted
- Smashed
- Tying or hanging one on
- Wetting your whistle
- Steamed
- Toasted
- Buzzed
- Sloshed
- Wrecked
- Pickled
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder in Mississippi
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse or disorder, visit us at SBIRT.ms today and fill out our quick online form. Our SBIRT screening tool can help you determine if treatment is needed, and if so, where nearby alcohol treatment is available. SBIRT provides you with the names of clinics, treatment centers, and programs for treating alcohol addiction all over the state of Mississippi. Now is the time – click to learn more and get the support you deserve!