Alcohol In this chapter, you will Learn About… The harmful effects of alcohol. Three stages of alcoholism and the steps to recovery. The factors that underlie teen alcohol use. Ways to say no to alcohol use and healthy alternatives to drinking.

What Alcohol Does to the Body In this lesson, you will Learn About… The effects of alcohol on the body. Why alcohol affects each individual differently. The effects of alcohol on a fetus. The problems alcohol causes in teens.

What Alcohol Does to the Body The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are: Alcohol. Alcohol Cirrhosis. Cirrhosis Blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) Intoxicated. Intoxicated Binge drinking. Binge drinking Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Alcohol and the Body Alcohol Alcohol is a depressant that has powerful effects on the body. Alcohol, like other depressant drugs, slows down the functions of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. The law prohibits alcohol use by minors. To make responsible decisions about alcohol use, people need to understand how alcohol affects the body.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body Mouth and Esophagus Tongue, gums, and throat are affected; breath smells of alcohol. Heart and Blood Vessels Perspiration increases and skin becomes flushed. Brain and Nervous System Speech is slurred and vision is blurred. Drinker has difficulty walking. Liver Liver changes alcohol into water and carbon dioxide. Stomach and Pancreas Stomach acids increase, which often results in nausea and vomiting.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body Mouth and Esophagus Damage occurs to tissues of the esophagus, resulting in possible bleeding. Heart and Blood Vessels High blood pressure and damage to the heart muscle is common. Blood vessels harden and become less flexible. Brain and Nervous System Brain cells are destroyed. Damage occurs to nerves throughout the body, resulting in numbness in the hands and feet. Liver Liver is damaged, possibly resulting in cirrhosis.cirrhosis Stomach and Pancreas Irritation occurs in the stomach lining, causing ulcers.

Alcohol and the Individual The effect that alcohol has on a person is influenced by a number of factors, including: Body size Gender Time frame Amount Food Medicine

Alcohol Content of Different Drinks Each of the drinks below contains the same amount of alcohol—about 0.5 oz. of pure alcohol. Beer and wine contain a lower percentage of alcohol by volume than distilled liquors such as vodka or whiskey.

Blood Alcohol Concentration A person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) depends on the amount of alcohol consumed as well as body size and other factors.blood alcohol concentration (BAC) A person with a BAC of 0.1 percent—or in some states, 0.08 percent—is considered legally intoxicated. For anyone under 21, a BAC above 0 percent is illegal.intoxicated Binge drinkingBinge drinking can increase BAC sharply enough to stop breathing and cause death.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome When a pregnant female drinks alcohol, it passes from her body into her developing baby’s bloodstream. A fetus exposed to alcohol in this way may be born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)—a group of alcohol-related birth defects that include both physical and mental problems.fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Alcohol and Teens Teen alcohol use has many adverse consequences: Up to two-thirds of suicides on college campuses involve alcohol. Almost one-half of all traffic deaths of people under age 25 involve alcohol. Nearly a quarter of all violent crimes committed by teens involve alcohol. Between one-third and two-thirds of date rape cases among teens and college students involve alcohol.

Reviewing Terms and Facts 1.________ is a drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Alcohol

2.What is BAC short for? What does it measure? Reviewing Terms and Facts BAC is short for blood alcohol concentration. It measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

Thinking Critically 3.Why are pregnant females generally advised to avoid all alcohol during their pregnancies?

Vocabulary Review Alcohol is a drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Vocabulary Review Cirrhosis is scarring and destruction of the liver.

Vocabulary Review Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

Vocabulary Review Intoxicated is physically and mentally impaired by the use of alcohol.

Vocabulary Review Binge drinking is the consumption of several alcoholic drinks in a very short period of time.

Vocabulary Review Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of alcohol-related birth defects that include both physical and mental problems.

Fold the sheet of paper into thirds along the short axis. This forms three columns. Open the paper and refold into thirds along the long axis, then fold in half lengthwise. This forms six rows.

Unfold and draw lines along the folds. Label the chart as shown.

In the appropriate section of the chart, take notes on the short- and long-term effects of drinking alcohol.

Find out how to help someone who has a problem with alcohol. Take the Health Inventory for Chapter 13 at