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What is EtOH?

Answered by Dr. David Zoeller M.D. 0

EtOH is a scientific way to reference alcohol. The abbreviation comes from the ingredient in alcoholic beverages called ethanol that gets you drunk. 

Ethanol is found in beer, wine and liquor. (It’s also used in industrial chemicals like paint and car gasoline). 

“Et” refers to the ethyl group and “OH” refers to the hydroxyl at the end. (Pretty fancy stuff).

Page Topics
EtOH Meaning | Ethanol, Ethyl Alcohol | EtOH Toxicity

What does EtOH stand for in medical terms?

The word “alcohol” can be substituted for EtOH when used in medical terminologies, like on a hospital bill.

Here are a few examples:

  • Etoh withdrawal: Alcohol withdrawal is symptoms that occur when someone stops alcohol after a period of heavy drinking.
  • Etoh use: Alcohol use means a person has or does drink alcohol. It does not necessarily mean problem drinking. 
  • Etoh intoxication: Alcohol intoxication is a disturbance in behavior or mental function during or after drinking alcohol.
  • Etoh cirrhosis: Alcoholic cirrhosis is an advanced stage of alcoholic liver disease where the liver is stiff, swollen and barely able to do its job. (See first signs of liver damage article).
  • Etoh abuse: Alcohol abuse is a chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol. (See alcoholism definition article).
  • Etoh test: Determines if alcohol was consumed by looking for ethanol in the breath, urine, blood, saliva or hair.

What is ethanol abuse?

Ethanol in this case just means alcohol. So, ethanol abuse means struggling with problem drinking. 

Is ethyl alcohol the same as ethanol?

Ethyl alcohol, Ethanol, EtOH and grain alcohol all mean alcohol. Chemists use these words interchangeably to mean drinking alcohol (as opposed to toxic alcohols like rubbing alcohol).

Ethanol is also used as a fuel and chemical additive. Manufacturers use a process called denaturing to make ethanol undrinkable. 

(For more, see Is alcohol a depressant? and Alcohol is a drug? questions to learn more about what drinking alcohol is).

Is ethanol toxic?

Yes. Drinking too much alcohol or even drinking a small amount of pure alcohol can lead directly to coma and death.

Damage from alcohol toxicity becomes most evident if alcohol is used chronically over many years. Excessive drinking causes damage to the body, which becomes permanent over time. (See the Wet Brain Meaning article).

Sadly, alcohol-related deaths are increasing in the U.S., but I am living proof you can get your health (and your life) back on track after alcohol relapse.

If you need help:

  • Learn more about the nationally-rated alcohol rehab in Murfreesboro, TN or visit Alcohol Rehabilitation Kentucky.

Don’t delay getting help. You can do this!

JourneyPure.com doctors follow rigorous sourcing guidelines and cite only trustworthy sources of information, including peer-reviewed journals, count records, academic organizations, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports and their own expertise with decades in the fields and their own personal recovery.

  • Aaron White, PhD, I-Jen P. Castle, PhD, Ralph Hingson, ScD, Patricia Powell, PhD. Using death certificates to explore changes in alcohol-related mortality in the United States, 1999–2017 Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. Published online January 8, 2020.

    LaHood AJ, Kok SJ. Ethanol Toxicity. [Updated 2020 Apr 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557381/

    National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 702, Ethanol. Retrieved April 28, 2021 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ethanol.

Disclaimer

All content is for informational purposes only. No material on this site, whether from our doctors or the community, is a substitute for seeking personalized professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard advice from a qualified healthcare professional or delay seeking advice because of something you read on this website.

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Written By

Dr. David Zoeller M.D.

Medical Director

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Dr. Zoeller has been practicing internal medicine for more than 30 years with a special interest in brain and addiction science. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine and certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine. After starting his career as a Chemical Engineer at IBM, Dr. Zoeller graduated from the Louisville School of Medicine. He currently serves as an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Vanderbilt University.

  • Medical executive at JourneyPure, a nationally-recognized drug & alcohol treatment center with locations across the country
  • 30 years as a medical doctor
  • Certified in addiction medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine
  • Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine
  • Associate professor at the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Vanderbilt University
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