Alcohol Alcohol – is a drug that acts as a depressant and changes a person’s physical or psychological state. Ethanol – ( ETH uh NAWL ) Beverage alcohol Central Nervous System – consist of the brain and spinal cord. CNS controls speech, thinking, memory, judgment and learning. Depressant – is a drug that slows the body functioning ( slows the brain and nervous system )

Primary kinds of alcohol: Beer - made from grain (fermented) Wine - made from fruit Spirits - are distilled (ex. Whisky, Vodka, Gin) A one and a half ounce shot, a five ounce glass of wine and a twelve ounce beer all have the same half ounce of alcohol

Alcohol and your Brain Alcohol affects the parts of the brain that control behavior. As the amount of alcohol increases, your thinking, memory and judgment are impaired. Your ability to tell what is safe and what is dangerous is reduced. As alcohol levels increase your central nervous system becomes more depressed. (Sleep, coma, and even death-by alcohol poisoning can occur)

Alcohol in the Blood Blood Alcohol Concentration – is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. ( also known as blood alcohol level ) Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Physical Effects Mental Effects 0.02 – 0.04 1drink/1 hour Mild relaxation; reaction time slowed Acting silly; telling people things you wouldn’t usually tell them 0.03 – 0.06 2 drinks/1 hour Slight to minor impairment of memory; slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time and hearing Reduction in judgment and self-control; belief that you are functioning better than you really are 0.05 – 0.14 3 drinks/1 hour Minor to significant impairment of coordination, balance speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing; loss of physical control Moderate to severe impairment of judgment and perception; feeling very happy and lightheaded A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 is considered legally drunk in New Jersey

Eight factors that determined how alcohol affects the body How much and how fast the person drinks Body weight Food in the stomach Genetic vulnerability Alcohol Tolerance (drinking history) Gender Mood Other drugs (legal or illegal) Alcohol’s effects on a person, or on different people depend on several factors. The same amount of alcohol can have very different effects. Even one drink can get a person in trouble!!!

Immediate Effects of Alcohol Intoxication – is the physical and mental changes produced by drinking alcohol. Alcohol poisoning – is the damage to physical health caused by drinking too much alcohol. It is a drug overdose, and can be fatal. Hangover – is the uncomfortable physical effects caused by alcohol use, including headache, dizziness, stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting.

Long –Term Effects of Alcohol Cirrhosis – is a deadly disease that replaces healthy liver tissue with useless scar tissue. Brain Damage – alcohol use affects the brain. If you drink regularly as a teen, before your brain is fully mature, alcohol may change your brain physically. These changes may have negative effects on learning, memory, and verbal skills. Tolerance – is a condition in which a person needs more of a drug to feel the original effects of the drug. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – a group of birth defects that can occur when a pregnant mother drinks alcohol. (Ex. Mental retardation, organ abnormalities, learning and behavioral problems)

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Alcoholism Alcoholism- is a disease in which a person is physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol. Physical dependence – is the body’s chemical need for a drug. Dependence happens over time. It may develop quickly or slowly. Psychological dependence – is a person’s emotional or mental need for a drug. The Symptoms of Alcoholism Include: A strong craving to drink Tolerance to alcohol’s effects Loss of control Physically and emotionally dependent on alcohol Life revolves around drinking Needs a drink to cope with stress and problems Drinks to feel normal or not feel bad Psychological dependence often comes before and may outlast physical dependence

Alcoholism support groups Alcoholics Anonymous – a support group for the alcoholic. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking Alanon – support for the family and friends of an alcoholic Alateen – for the children of an alcoholic