What is alcohol??  The type of alcohol that is found in alcoholic beverages is known as ethenol.  So what’s the difference between alcohol fuel (ethanol) and rubbing alcohol? Good Question …

Fermentation  Fermentation is the chemical action of yeast on sugars.  Beer is fermented from a mixture of mashed grain and water.  Wine fermentation is the critical conversion of a grape's sugar content into alcohol by active yeast.  All liquors are made from different plants or berries. Vodka is made from wheat, potatoes, and other grains. Gin is made from Juniper Berries. Tequila is made from Agave plants or agave juice.

What counts as a drink?  The amount of liquid in your glass, can, or bottle does not necessarily match up to how much alcohol is actually in your drink.  In the United States, one "standard" drink contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is found in:  12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol  5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol  1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol

What happens when you drink alcohol?  Alcohol is water soluble and is transported throughout the body by blood.  With the first sip, alcohol briefly irritates the mouth and esophagus.  Alcohol enters the bloodstream through the small intestine and the stomach.  Alcohol is metabolized in the liver, through which the entire blood supply circulates every 4 minutes!!!!!

Depressant  Alcohol is a depressant…that means it slows the central nervous system!!  It slows reaction time and impairs vision!  Also causes problems with thinking and judgment!  Intoxication is the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol.

Factors that influence the effects of alcohol.  1. Body size – a smaller person feels the effects faster.  2. Gender – Alcohol moves into the bloodstream faster in females.  3. Food – food in the stomach slows the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream  4. Rate of intake – if a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, he or she will become intoxicated.  5. Amount – as a person drinks more alcohol, the level of alcohol in the bloodstream rises.  6. Medicine – alcohol can interfere with medicines and may even heighten the effects of alcohol.

Factors that influence alcohol use  Peer Pressure  Family  Media messages

Long term effects of Alcohol  Using alcohol over a long period of time can cause many problems.  Damage to brain cells and a reduction in brain size  Increase in blood pressure  Buildup of fat cells in the liver  Ulcers and cancers of the stomach  Damage to the pancreas

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning  Binge Drinking – drinking five or more alcoholic drinks in one setting.

The law on drinking  If you are under the age of 21, it is illegal to buy, posses, or consume alcohol.  Teens who break the law can be arrested and fined.

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning  Alcohol poisoning – a severe physical reaction to an alcohol overdoes.

Fetal alcohol syndrome A group of alcohol related birth defects that include physical and mental problems.  The fetus processes alcohol much slower than the mother, and will stay in it’s system much longer!

Drinking and Driving  Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is illegal. This is also known as driving under the influence (DUI).  Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) - the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood.  A driver with a BAC of.08 percent can be charged with drunk driving.  50% of deaths from motor vehicle crashes are alcohol related.

Ways to refuse  Be assertive!!!  “I don’t like the taste.”  “No, thanks. I need to be in top shape for the game.”  “I don’t drink alcohol-besides, I’m heading home.”  “I really can’t, my parents would be angry.”  “I don’t want to risk being kicked off the team”

Alcohol resources  Al-anon  Alcoholics anonymous (AA)  Mothers against drunk driving (MADD)  Students against destructive decisions (SADD) jHdupw0 jHdupw0

Assignment (due Tuesday 5/26)  Write a letter to a drunk driver expressing your feelings about their actions.  Include 3 facts or things that you have learned in our alcohol lessons that would help them.  Paragraph 1 – introduction  Paragraph 2 – fact 1 explain  Paragraph 3 – fact 2 explain  Paragraph 4 – fact 3 explain  Paragraph 5 - conclusion  *remember that a paragraph contains 3-4 sentences!