1. Alcohol Unit

2. Alcohol 12 oz Beer = 5 oz Wine = 1.5 oz Liquor BrainPop-Alcohol
1 drink/1 serving:
12 oz Beer = 5 oz Wine = 1.5 oz Liquor
BrainPop-Alcohol

3. Short-term Effects: Brain
*Brain handout
Alcohol reaches the brain almost as soon as it is consumed (NOT digested first)
Slows the nervous system down (depressant drug)
Disorganizes thought process
Memory & concentration dulled

4. Video Clip
Alcohol & The Brain:

5. *Skip to BAC and Laws
Brain Article

6. Blood Vessels Alcohol in blood causes blood vessels to dialate (widen)
More blood flow to skin = flushed and feel warm
Actually loses heat by radiation (heat moves from warm skin to cooler surrounding air)
Core body temperature decreases

7. Short-term Effects: Kidneys
Produce more urine to try to flush out alcohol
Feel dehydrated after heavy drinking

8. Short-term Effects- Stomach
Alcohol is NOT digested - simply absorbed into bloodstream
Food will NOT keep a person from intoxication
Food will only slow the absorption rate, but alcohol still gets into bloodstream
Alcohol increases gastric juice production (contains acid) - could lead to ulcers

9. Short-term Effects- Liver
Oxidation: Changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide, and energy
Can ONLY oxidize about 1 drink (serving) per hour
No way to speed up this process
Until liver has had time to oxidize all of the alcohol ingested, it keeps circulating through the bloodstream

10. Guidelines for More Responsible Drinking
Do not consume more than one drink (serving) of alcohol per hour
Don’t drink on an empty stomach
Drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage
Helps with oxidation
Helps kidneys produce more urine
Helps prevent dehydration
Puts more time between drinks

11. Video Clips
I Went to a Party Mom:
Simple Plan – “How Could this Happen to Me”:

12. Bacchus Maneuver
How to help someone who is intoxicated and has passed out (B.A.R.F.):
1.) Raise one arm above the person’s head
2.) Guard their head and roll them gently on their SIDE!
3.) Put other hand under their head/cheek to maintain head tilt and keep airway open.
4.) Check on them often (heart rate, breathing, etc.). Call 911 if irregular.
Follow these steps to prevent drowning/choking on their vomit!

13. Long Term Effects on the Liver
Fatty liver: alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to break down fats
Excess fat blocks flow of blood in liver resulting in reduced oxygen and cell death
Can be reversed when drinking stops

14. Long Term Effects on the Liver
Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver
No blood flow in the scarred area b/c there are no blood vessels - liver can not function
Symptoms: High blood pressure, abdominal swelling, jaundice
Can NOT be reversed

15. Stages of Liver Damage

16. Healthy Liver vs. Cirrhosis

17. Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream
Many factors affect the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood:
Gender --Food in Stomach
Metabolism --Weight
Amount of Alcohol --Time b/w drinks

18. LAW Under 21 - Zero Tolerance (BAC over .02 = punishment)
21 and over BAC is highest level allowed

19. Alcoholism
An addiction to alcohol that involves both physical and psychological dependence on alcohol

20. 3 Stages of Alcoholism 1. Early Stage To relax, relieve stress
Leads to necessity to manage stress
Begins to become intoxicated regularly
Makes excuses and tries to rationalize drinking behavior

21. 3 Stages of Alcoholism 2. Middle Stage
Drinker denies or tries to hide the problem
Body develops tolerance (more & more of a substance is needed to feel the same effect)
Frequently absent from school/work
Drinking is central event in person’s life
Drinks when alone
Drinks first thing in the morning
Drinks daily

22. 3 Stages of Alcoholism 3. Late Stage
Person becomes aggressive & isolated from friends and family
Malnutrition occurs because the drinker consumes alcohol & doesn’t worry about food
Body is addicted
If they try to quit = withdrawal symptoms

23. Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Referred to as Delirium Tremens
Hot/cold flashes
Tremors
Nightmares
Hallucinations
Fear of people & animals

24. Alcoholism NO CURE – only recovery!
Once alcoholics take that drink after being sober, they can’t predict with any reliability whether they are going to have a normal or abnormal drinking episode! They no longer control alcohol as most people are able to; it CONTROLS THEM.

25. Video Clip
Above the Influence “Sick”: