Alcohol Notes Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is the drinkable alcohol. It is produced by the fermentation of grains and fruits. Most drinks range between 2% - 20% for beer and wine. Distilled drinks range from 40%-50% or more alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant. It slows down vital functions – resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions, and an inability to react quickly. Alcohol overdose causes more severe effects: inability to feel pain, toxicity where the body vomits poison, unconsciousness, finally coma and death. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. 70-80% of alcohol is absorbed in the small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels to the brain quickly slowing the action of nerve cells. Alcohol is also carried to the liver. The liver eliminates alcohol from the blood though a process called metabolizing, where it is converted to a non-toxic substance. The liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time (approximately .01% per hour) leaving the excess circulating throughout the body. Most body systems are affected by alcohol. Chronic alcohol consumption causes damage to the brain, liver, heart, stomach, pancreas, and intestines.

Alcohol impairment Alcohol affects everyone differently. Your blood alcohol level or Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is affected by many factors: Age, height, weight Gender Physical condition Amount of food consumed prior to drinking Other drugs or medications Concentration of alcohol (The more alcohol concentrated a beverage is, the faster it will be absorbed) How much is consumed How fast it is consumed Most states have set .08% BAC as the legal limit of intoxication. Proof is 2 times the percent of alcohol concentration in a beverage. So a beverage that is 80 proof is 40% pure ethanol (drinkable alcohol).

Short term effects Long Term Effects Slurred speech Drowsiness Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Upset stomach Distorted vision Distorted Hearing Decreased perception/coordination Unconsciousness Anemia Coma Blackouts – memory lapses Long Term Effects Unintentional injuries – car crash, falls, burns, drowning Unintentional injuries – firearms, sexual assault, domestic violence Alcohol is present in more than one half of all incidents of domestic violence. Increased on the job injuries and loss of productivity Increased family problems, broken relationships Alcohol poisoning Liver disease, Nerve damage Permanent damage to the brain Vitamin B deficiencies leads to a disorder which can include amnesia, apathy and disorientation Ulcers, Gastritis Malnutrition Cancer of the mouth and throat

10 Facts about Alcohol Experimentation with drugs & alcohol begins around the ages of 12-13. 90% of adults report using alcohol at some time during their lives. 80% of teens don’t know that a 12 oz. can of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a shot of whiskey; similarly, 55% don’t know that a 5 oz. glass of wine and a 12 oz. can of beer have the same amount of alcohol. Among teens who binge drink, 39% say they drink alone, 58% say they drink when they are upset, 30% say they drink when they are bored, and 37% say they drink to get high Alcohol is associated with the leading causes of death and injury among teenagers today. 87% of high school seniors have used alcohol in comparison, 65% have smoked cigarettes, 50% have used marijuana, and 9% have used cocaine. 70% of teen pregnancies occur while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Researchers estimate that alcohol use is implicated in 1/3-2/3 of sexual assault and date-rape cases among teens and college students. A survey of high school students found that 18% of girls and 39% of male say that it is okay to force sex if the girl is drunk or stoned. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome babies suffer from smaller heads, deformed facial features, abnormal joints and limbs, poor coordination, problems with learning, short memories.

The brain images show how alcohol may harm teen mental function The brain images show how alcohol may harm teen mental function. Compared with a young non-drinker, a 15-year-old with an alcohol problem showed poor brain activity during a memory task. This finding is noted by the lack of pink and red coloring.