Alcohol

What Is Alcohol? Alcohol is a powerful drug. It can be produced naturally by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or grains. Fermentation is the chemical action of yeast on sugars.

What Is Alcohol? Water, flavoring and minerals are added to ethanol to form beer and wine. Alcohol can be processed to create liquors such as whiskey, gin and vodka.

What Is Alcohol? At first Alcohol may give the drinker a certain energy or “buzz” However its true nature as a depressant takes over causing the CNS to slow down. Within time the person becomes intoxicated……

What Is Alcohol? Intoxication: is physical and mental impairment, ranging from inability to walk to unconsciousness.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol BRAIN- alcohol reaches the brain within minutes, and the brain becomes less able to control the body. Movement, speech, and vision may be affected.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol MOUTH & THROAT- Chemicals affect the tongue, gums, and throat.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol HEART- Alcohol causes the heart to beat faster and the blood vessels to widen. The increased blood flow to the surface gradually allows body heat to escape and body temperature to drop.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol LIVER- The liver changes alcohol into water and carbon dioxide. When a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, the person becomes intoxicated.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol LUNGS- The carbon dioxide is released from the body through the lungs. The water passes out of the body in the form of urine, perspiration, and breath vapor.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol STOMACH- About 20% of the alcohol consumed passes through the lining of the stomach and into the bloodstream. Too much alcohol in the stomach may cause vomiting.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol Alcohol affects a persons judgment and may interfere with a persons emotions, decisions and behavior. It may cause you to do something you normally wouldn’t do

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies, date rape, and violence can result when under the influence of alcohol.

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol The most deadly short term effect of alcohol is driving under the influence of alcohol. (DUI)

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol Drinking & Driving: Alcohol reduces the ability to judge distances, speeds, and turns. Makes you take higher risks. Slows reflexes. “Legal Limit” Over 21=0.08 Under 21=zero tolerance

Short-Term Effects Of Alcohol Driving while intoxicated is the leading cause of death among teenagers! Each day in the U.S. 11 teenagers are killed and 350 injured by drunk driving.

Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol Long-Term Excessive use of alcohol leads to major Brain Damage. Even moderate drinking can destroy brain cells. Which results in loss of intellectual abilities such as memory and problem solving.

Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol Drinking Alcohol while Pregnant Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Birth Defects such as: Low birth weight Deformations Mental Impairments Death

Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol Alcohol also interferes with the livers ability to break down fats. The Liver cannot break down fats so the fat builds up in the liver and prevents it from functioning normally. Prolonged heavy alcohol use can cause Cirrhosis of the liver. This is a condition in which liver tissue is destroyed and then replaced with scarred tissue.

Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol Liver Damaged by Alcohol Healthy Liver

Blood Alcohol Concentration The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. Tolerance: needing more and more of a substance to get the same effect

So does tolerance affect BAC? NO! If you drink, BAC is going to rise; however if you have a high tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of intoxication may not directly correlate with a person’s BAC.

BAC Charts http://www.ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm

Factors that influence BAC Gender Men v. Women Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Body Fat Weight Metabolism Time Between drinks and cessation Food content in the stomach **Heavily drinking still causes a person to become intoxicated, even if there is food in the stomach

Alcohol Poisoning SYMPTOMS Vomiting and nausea – 1st sign!!! Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The irritation will cause vomiting. Loss of reflexes Loss of consciousness; “passed out” Pulse is weak and rapid Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) Skin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluish You can not wake the person

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse Drunk Driving – Traffic Fatalities Teenage pregnancy Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of death among teens Accidents Suicide Homicide

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse Depresses the immune system Cirrhosis of the liver Stroke Cancer Brain Damage

Alcohol with Other Drugs Combining alcohol with other drugs, or a combination of drugs together, produces what is called the Multiplier effect. Medication and other drugs have a different effect on your body if taken with alcohol This can be very harmful