1. Uses, Effects, and Problems
Alcohol
Uses, Effects, and Problems

2. Introduction Types of Alcoholic Beverages Serving of alcohol = ½ oz.
(all contain ethyl alcohol, but different %’s)
Beer
Wine
Distilled spirits
Serving of alcohol = ½ oz.
Drinking Today
P. 70
Should the legal age be changed to 18?

3. Rate of Absorption is Effected by:
Strength of beverage
Number of drinks consumed
Rate of consumption
Presence of food in the stomach
Body weight and composition
Body chemistry
Which can be controlled?

4. Distribution of Alcohol
Absorbed through capillary walls in small intestine
Distributed throughout body
Is a psychoactive drug
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Is a product of absorption & oxidation
Legal limit in OK is .08%
Table 4.2 p. 80

5. Oxidation of Alcohol Occurs in liver by gastric ADH enzyme
oz. of alcohol oxidized / hr.
Time to metabolize =
Total oz. X % alcohol / .3 oz./hr.

6. Short Term Effects of Alcohol
Due to effects on GABA
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases arousal, aggression, & anxiety
Alcohol increases effects of GABA
List p. 81
Drug Interactions
Table 4.3 p. 85

7. Long Term Effects of Alcohol
Brain / Nervous System
Liver
Gastrointestinal tract
Cardiovascular
Endocrine system
Immune system
Cancer
Hypoglycemia
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

8. Drinking Problems Signs & symptoms of a problem drinker
Enabling – inadvertently supports behavior by denying that a problem exists or by covering up
“Is Alcoholism Really a Disease?”

9. Characteristics of Alcoholism
Life-long, not curable
Progressive and fatal
Loss of control
Adverse consequences
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Craving
Denial