Alcohol

ethanol The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages A powerful drug Made synthetically or naturally

Fermentation The chemical action of yeast on sugars Fruits, veggies, or grains Beer, wine, or spirits All can to do serious harm

Depressant Causes the central nervous system to slow down.

Intoxication Physical and mental impairment resulting from the use of alcohol Inability to walk to unconsciousness

Alcohol and Teens

At any age, alcohol use can become a high-risk behavior 80% of teens have had a drink Alcohol among adults has declined

½ all teens who die, die as a result of alcohol or from other drugs – many are accidents Unplanned pregnancies, STD’s, date violence, rapes, suicides and homicides 5 million problem drinkers are between the ages of 14 - 17

100 million American use alcohol 10 teens a day die in alcohol-related crashes ½ of all fatal car crashes involve alcohol 50% of boat accidents involve alcohol

Factors that affect teen alcohol Friends Family Advertisements - $1 billion a year – hidden messages

Short-term effects of drinking

Brain Reaches brain almost as soon as it is consumed Depresses activity Disorganized – memory and concentration dulled – decision making badly effected

Liver Oxidation – changes alcohol to water, CO2, and energy 1/3 – ½ an ounce an hour No way to speed up

Heart Increase heart rate and blood pressure Abnormal heartbeats

BAC The amount of alcohol on a person’s blood expressed as a percentage Factors – gender, weight, and metabolism, amount consumed, time between drinks

Designated drivers People in social settings who choose not to drink so that they can safely drive themselves and others

Long-term effects Brain damage – decrease in size – destroy cells Chronic liver problems – Fatty liver – a condition in which fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down

Cirrhosis Liver tissue if destroyed and then replaced with useless scar tissue

Hepatitis Inflammation or infection that can cause weakness, jaundice, fever and death Recovery slow and liver failure sometimes results

Fetal alcohol syndrome Condition in which a fetus has been adversely affected mentally and physically by its mother’s heavy alcohol use

Low birth weight Impaired speech Cleft palate General weakness Slow body growth Facial abnormalities Heart defects

Binge Drinking Periodic excessive drinking Popular in high school and College Social event or contest Lead to serious difficulties

Alcohol poisoning A dangerous toxic condition that occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time

A physical and psychological dependence on the drug Alcoholism A physical and psychological dependence on the drug

Stages of Alcoholism

Stage one Social drinking Physical and psychological dependency Short-term memory loss Makes excuses for drinking

Stage two Cannot stop drinking Physically dependent May drink alone More excuses Drinking is central in the person’s life

Stage three Final and worst stage Drinking is most important Constant companion Malnutrition Needs less alcohol to get drunk

Delirium tremens (DTs) Hot/cold flashes, tremors, nightmares, hallucinations, and having fear of people and animals

Alcoholism cannot be cured but can be treated 2/3 of all alcoholics recover with proper treatment AA – Alcoholics Anonymous Alateen