ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and slows down brain function. Though all alcohol is potentially dangerous, it’s important to that understand some alcohol is more deadly than others. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the strongest alcohols currently on the market. At the end of the article, we invite you to ask further questions.
ESTIMATED READING TIME: Less than 10 minutes.
Table of Contents:
- Indicators of Strength
- #10 Absinthe (up to 72% Alcohol)
- #9 Bacardi 151 (75.5% Alcohol)
- #8 Devil Spings Vodka (80% Alcohol)
- #7 Balkan 176 Vodka (88% Alcohol)
- #6 Pincer Vodka (88.8% Alcohol)
- #5 River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum (90% Alcohol)
- #4 Bruichladdich X4+1 Quadrupled Whiskey (92% Alcohol)
- #3 Golden Grain (95% Alcohol)
- #2 Everclear (95% Alcohol)
- #1 Spirytus Rektyfikowany (96% Alcohol)
- Health Risks
- Treatment Basics
- Where to Find Help
- Your Questions
The general amount of alcohol contained within liquor is 40%.
How Do We Measure the Strength of Alcohol?
Since much of the alcohol mentioned on this Top 10 list is much stronger than what we normally drink, it’s helpful to have something to compare it to. The following are your most typical alcoholic beverages and the percentage of alcohol each contains:
- Beer, 4% to 5% alcohol content
- Wine, 12% alcohol content
- Fruit liquors, 28% to 32% alcohol content
- Gin, 35% to 40% alcohol content
- Vodka, 35% to 46% alcohol content
- Rum, 40% to 46% alcohol content
- Whiskey, 55% to 60% alcohol content
The National Institutes on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse have created this graphic to help visualize the difference.
However,, the alcohol percentages listed above are the average. What we’re about to list below are the ten strongest alcohols in the world. It’s vital to remember that drinking this amount of alcohol is very dangerous towards your health and well-being. Especially when getting behind the wheel.
Every kind of alcohol sold on the market must be labeled under the Federal Alcohol Administration (FFA) Act. These labels will usually tell you the percentage of alcohol within each drink. Or, the label will give the “proof count”. For example, you purchase a whiskey which advertises itself as 100-proof. This is the doubled percentage of the alcohol content. Therefore, the whiskey you purchased has 50% alcohol within it.
Alcohol addiction is a very serious disease and shouldn’t be left untreated. If you or anyone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, you need to seek help as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more time alcohol can ruin your life. Furthermore, if you happen to find any of the following alcohols within your liquor cabinet, it’s highly suggested you get rid of them. Again, these are the strongest alcohols the world has to offer and, likewise, the most dangerous.
#10 – Absinthe (up to 72% Alcohol)
#9 – Bacardi 151 (75.5% Alcohol)
However, this brand of Bacardi has been discontinued. The reason it’s no longer available for purchase is that people too often ignored the warnings of the drink being highly flammable. Due to this lack of inspection, many ended up exposing the bottle to open flames and experienced burns. If you still have a bottle of this lying around, it’s important to understand the fire safety risks involved with this alcohol.
#8 – Devil Springs Vodka (80% Alcohol)
As we climb the alcohol content ladder, it’s vital to remember that the stronger the alcohol is, the more dangerous it becomes to your health and the more susceptible the user ends up in terms of abusing it.
#7 – Balkan 176 Vodka (88% Alcohol)
In fact, there are numerous reports of people experiencing alcohol poisoning and death due from drinking too much strong liquor in a short period of time.
#6 – Pincer Vodka (88.8% Alcohol)
There is an obvious danger in this. One of the many qualities of alcohol that turns a social drinker off is the fact that they have to handle a hangover the next morning. Considering the calorie count of alcohol and what it can do to one’s health, it’s understandable that a responsible adult only drinks on occasions. However, since Pincer doesn’t offer these negative alternatives, there’s lies a stronger chance for abuse.
#5 – River Antoine Royale Grenadian Rum (90% Alcohol)
#4 – Bruichladdich X4+1 Quadrupled Whiskey (92% Alcohol)
Due to the high level of alcohol content, we’re beginning to endeavor into very dangerous territory. This kind of alcohol can do serious harm to someone in a matter of minutes and it’s important to be aware of the fatal consequences alcohol can have if you’re not careful or properly prepared.
#3 – Golden Grain (95% Alcohol)
#2 – Everclear (95% Alcohol)
Furthermore, there are instances when an alcohol like Everclear is placed in someone’s drink without them realizing – a concept known as “drugging”. Inevitably, getting them much more inebriated than they intended to be or putting them in a dangerous position without their
knowledge.
#1 – Spirytus Rektyfikowany (96% Alcohol)
Alcohol’s Risk on Your Health
The short term concerns primarily lie around over-drinking to the point of being incapable of inducing alcohol poisoning which can be fatal. Other health risks involved from short term use are:
- Bluish tint to skin
- Coma
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Low body temperature
- Seizures
- Slow breathing
- Vomiting
Some people react to alcohol differently and even get sick from it, especially when they take too much of a beverage they can’t handle. If someone has a sensitivity to alcohol, they may feel the following:
- Diarrhea
- Facial flushing
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Worsening of asthma
- Vomiting
However, over time, people who drink alcohol frequently will develop a dependence. If this happens, they face the same health risks as the short term effects and more. These complications can include:
- Brain and nerve damage
- Cancer
- Cardiomyopathy (damage to heart muscle)
- Immune system dysfunction
- Liver disease
- Mental health issues (such as anxiety or depression)
- Osteoporosis
- Pancreatitis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Stomach ulcers
- Vitamin deficiency
As you can see, an alcohol addiction is very serious and can have consequences on your health and well-being. If you or anyone you love is currently struggling with an alcohol addiction, it’s vital to seek out treatment as soon as possible.
Check out this NIAAA blood alcohol content chart for more.
Basics for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
If you think that you have a drinking problem, finding help can be a life changing experience. The goal of treating an alcohol addiction is to look at life through a new, clearer perspective. And to understand oneself without the use of drugs. Alcohol addiction treatment happens in two important stages; detox and continued treated.
During detox, your body rids itself of alcohol’s chemicals and returns to its normal, organic functioning – a state known as homeostasis. If you’re a chronic drinker or have developed dependence on alcohol, you’re going to feel withdrawal symptoms. The severity of these symptoms and how long they last all depends on your level of addiction.
A reputable treatment facility will give you a proper medical assessment which will determine your level of physical dependence. ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION WHEN WITHDRAWING FROM ALCOHOL. Symptoms can become dangerous or life-threatening. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disorientation
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Heightened sensitivity to light and sound
- Irritability
- Jumpiness or shakiness
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Sweating
- Transient hallucinations (in more serious cases)
- Tremor
- Vomiting
After your body withdraws, you’re going to need to take the time address your thinking. Again, how long this will take and how difficult it will be all depends on your level of addiction. Generally speaking, most people go through intensive psychotherapy for an initial 3-6 month period. Ongoing weekly therapy then lasts upwards of a year or more.
Where to Find Help
- Your family doctor or general physician
- Addiction doctors (Find an ABAM specialist)
- Psychotherapists or counselors (Find an APA psychologist near you)
- Psychiatrists (Find an APA psychiatrist near you)
- Your State’s Department of Health and Social Services for information on how to find a social worker or case worker to help you or your family.
If you’re looking to talk to someone immediately, check out the following helplines:
- Drug Hotline 877-736-9802
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence HopeLine 1-800-475-HOPE (4673)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse – Drug and Treatment Information 1-800-6224357
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
- Substance Abuse Helpline (available 24/7) 1-800-923-4327
Furthermore, you can always call us for more information on how to find the right treatment facility. The helpline number listed on this page will connect you to American Addiction Centers (AAC). The helpline is offered at no cost and with no obligation to enter treatment. Caring admissions consultants are standing by to discuss your treatment options. So, if you are ready to get help, reach out and pick up the phone.
We’re happy to help!
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