ALCOHOL NOTES

Alcohol Is a Drug Drug- any chemical that causes changes in a person’s body or behavior. Illegal drugs- chemicals that are forbidden by law because unpredictable effects outweigh useful purposes.

Ethanol- alcohol found in beverages such as beer, wine, and liquor. Fact: Alcohol is made by process of fermentation- yeast breaks down sugar into alcohol & carbon dioxide. - the alcohol content of most alcoholic beverages is between 6-50 percent.

Proof- a measure of the percentage of alcohol in a beverage; the proof is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. ex. 90 proof vodka is 45% alcohol. Fact: The highest proof of alcohol that can legally be bought in most American states is 180 proof.

PROOFS- the percent of ethanol (% x 2) Beer= average 4.5 % (9 proof) Wine= average 11 % (22 proof) Champagne= average 12% (24 proof) Hard liquor= average 40-95% (80-190)

Alcohol is a drug that acts as a powerful depressant. Depressant- a drug that slows the activity of the body’s central nervous system. (Ex. Drowsiness)

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body Alcohol is absorbed in the blood stream circulating throughout the body including the brain and nervous system. Bloodstream- causes blood vessels to widen. More blood flows to surface & drinker feels warm. Drinker’s body temperature drops because increased blood flow allows body heat to escape. Intoxication- negative effects alcohol has on drinker’s body & behavior.

MEN VS. WOMEN (men can typically handle more alcohol than women) Alcohol is easily diluted in water (made weaker) Because muscle tissue has more water than fat tissue, a given amount of alcohol will be diluted (weaker) in a man….assuming that a typical man has more muscle than a typical woman…there are exceptions.

ALCOHOL ABSORBTION 20% is absorbed in the stomach 80% in the small intestine…bloodstream How fast alcohol is absorbed depends on several things Concentration of alcohol (diluted will slow it down) Type of drink- carbonated faster Amount of food in stomach- full=slower

ABSORBTION contd. Mouth—Esophagus—Stomach (20%)— Small Intestine (80%)—Bloodstream Alcohol enters bloodstream and dissolves in the water in the blood, alcohol is then carried throughout the body, as it dissolves in the tissues of the body where it has its effect.

ALCOHOL EXCRETION Kidney- (5 %) produces more urine than usual & drinker loses more water than usual. Drinker becomes thirsty. Lungs- (5 %) exhalation (breathalyzer) Liver- (90%) when people drink alcohol faster than the liver can break it down they become intoxicated. 1 drink= 1.25 oz. of hard liquor, 5 oz. of wine, 12 oz. of beer. It takes your body approximately 1 hour to eliminate the alcohol in 1 drink.

Each drink is equivalent = =

Short- term Physical Effects Brain- loss of sensation, lack of coordination, decrease in sharpness of vision, hearing, & other senses. - if drinking continues breathing/ pulse rates and blood pressure decrease. A drinker may lose consciousness, slip into a coma, or die from alcohol poisoning. - blackouts- periods of time the drinker cannot recall.

Effects on the Brain- Depressant Alcohol affects the brain by suppressing the excitatory nerve pathways, and increasing the inhibitory nerve pathways = making you sluggish, slow. All portions of the brain are affected leading to various behaviors.

STAGES OF EFFECTS List the stages: 1. Euphoria Daring, self confident, flushed, judgment is poor, short attention span. 2. Dazed Sleepy, poor memory, uncoordinated, blurry vision, poor senses. 3. Confusion Severe confusion, dizzy, highly emotional, slurred speech. 4. Stupor Can barely move, Vomit, in and out of consciousness. 5. Coma Unconscious, Pupils don’t respond to light, cold, slow heart rate, might die. 6. Death

Effect on Body Parts Lining of stomach and intestine irritated=vomit Increased sweating=flushed and sweaty Reduces blood flow to muscles=muscle aches (next day) Hangover- a term for physical symptoms such as nausea, upset stomach, headache, etc. after drinking too much alcohol.

Long Term Effects Cells of the liver die and harden= liver failure= CIRRHOSIS. Disease in which scar tissue replaces normal liver tissue. Since there’s no blood flow in the scared area, the liver begins to fail.

Death of brain cells= reduce the total brain mass. Ulcers Decreased sperm production (toxins kill sperm & change hormone levels) Emotional and social problems (depends on the person)

Long- Term Health risks contd. Brain damage- alcohol destroys nerve cells causing forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, & poor judgment. Digestive problems- irritates the tissue lining of the mouth, throat, esophagus, & stomach. Heart disease- fat deposits in heart muscle causing poor blood flow. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US.

Long- Term Health Risks Tolerance- when the body gets used to or builds up resistance to a drug. Dependence (aka addiction)-when the body develops a resistance to a drug & needs the drug to function normally. Withdrawal- symptoms that occur when a dependent person stops taking a drug. (ex. Shakiness, sleep problems, irritability, & sweating.)

Complete the following: Vocabulary: 1. Synergism 2. Fetal alcohol syndrome 3. Enabler 4. Detoxification 5. Codependents 6. rehabilitation Section Review p. 445 # 1-4 Questions & Answers