Surrogate alcohol refers to non-beverage liquids consumed as an alternative to alcoholic drinks. These substances, which include perfumes, medicinal tinctures, and technical alcohols, are typically consumed in late stages of alcoholism and often contain harmful components.
Types and styles
Surrogate alcohols are categorized by ethanol content: containing ethanol (perfumes, medicinal tinctures), containing mixed alcohols (BF glue, hydraulic fluids), or without ethanol (acetone, ethylene glycol). They are also classified by danger level: low danger (non-food ethanol, isopropanol), medium danger (technical ethanol-based liquids), and high danger (methyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, dichloroethane).
How it is made
Preparation methods vary: some are ready for consumption without preparation (medicinal tinctures, perfumes), others require fractional separation (BF glue, alcohol-oil hydraulic fluids), and some need chemical purification (nitrohol, dichloroethane) through oxidation with potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Суррогаты алкоголя, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Styles and varieties
- Jamaica ginger