Alcohol Effects, Affects or both? How alcohol influences Y - O – U!

Alcohol Is Classified As … A drug Illegal for persons under age 21!  THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

What type of drug is alcohol? Stimulant? Depressant? Depressant A drug or substance that slow the normal functioning of the body. The impulses sent through the CNS are slowed.

“Stuff” About Alcohol Blood Alcohol Content Blood Alcohol Content Zero Tolerance Law Zero Tolerance Law D.U.I. D.U.I. Breathalyzer Test Breathalyzer Test Jail Jail Health concerns Physical effects Psychological effects Social effects

What is intoxication? Physical and mental impairment resulting from the use of alcohol. Physical and mental impairment resulting from the use of alcohol. Can range from an inability to walk to being unconscious. Can range from an inability to walk to being unconscious. Varies from person to person Varies from person to person Weight, tolerance (experience), speed of drinking, food consumption. Weight, tolerance (experience), speed of drinking, food consumption.

What is excessive drinking? Binge Drinking Binge Drinking A pattern of drinking that brings the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or above. A pattern of drinking that brings the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or above. Males Males 5 or more drinks in a 2 hour time span 5 or more drinks in a 2 hour time span Females Females 4 or more drinks in a 2 hour time span 4 or more drinks in a 2 hour time span White Plains Hospital Center

New Jersey Legal Limits For persons OVER 21 years old B.A.C. limit is.08% Illegal if drinking in car Illegal if drinking in public Can be addicting For persons UNDER 21 years old B.A.C. limit is.01% Illegal if drinking period. Any place, any time! Can be addicting

Zero Tolerance Law states….. No one under age 21 is allowed to consume alcohol, period. If caught the person can be…….. Fined Jailed Community Service (All above: unspecified amount of time. Determined by courts.) This includes the transportation of alcohol as well.

First Offense/BAC.01% + (underage - <21yrs.) YOU! 30 – 90 day suspension of driving privilege (on day you get license) 15 – 30 days community service Participation in Alcohol education program by MVC chief administrator.

First Offense/BAC.08% -.10% (21yrs. +) 3 month suspension of driving privilege Up to 30 days imprisonment $250-$400 Fine Fees for Alcohol education program ($230/day) $1000 annual surcharge for 3 year. Possible interlock device requirement for 6 months – 1 year. Other fees – about $300

First Offense/BAC.10% or more (21yrs. +) 7 month – 1 year suspension of driving privilege Up to 30 days imprisonment $300 - $500 Fine Fees for Alcohol education program ($230/day) $1000 annual surcharge for 3 year. Possible interlock device requirement for 6 months – 1 year. Other fees – about $300

Driving under a DUI license suspension (p.114 in manual) Additional 1-2 yrs suspension. $500 fine $250 per yr for 3 yrs surcharge Imprisonment days.

How B.A.C. is measured.  The police give this test to anyone suspected of drinking and driving. (IMPLIED CONSENT LAW)  The test is administered 30 minutes after being arrested.  The test measures the amount of alcohol which comes from the lungs, not just the breath.  For persons under 21 yrs. old the BAC is 0.01% legal limit. Refusal to take breathalyzer test results in loss of driving privileges 7 months to 1 year. Same as.10 BAC.

Reality!!!! Fantasy!!!

Why does BAC increase?  The liver can only breakdown 0.06oz. of ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, an hour Roughly ¾ drink/hour Roughly ¾ drink/hour  Therefore, if someone drinks at a faster rate this allows for alcohol to enter the blood and travel to other parts of the body. 

Factors to determine one ’ s B.A.C. level Body weight Quantity of alcohol consumed Time & rate in which alcohol is consumed Gender and age If there is any food in the stomach to slow the absorption rate History with alcohol

Brain & CNS Alcohol reaches the brain within minutes and the brain becomes less able to control the body Movement, speech, and vision may be affected

What exactly is a drink? 12 oz. of beer 12 oz. of beer 5 oz. of wine 5 oz. of wine 1.5 oz of liquor 1.5 oz of liquor  80 proof or higher

Effects of Alcohol Slowed: Slowed: Reaction time Reaction time Ability to see brake lights ahead of you and take your foot off of the gas and begin to use the break. Ability to see brake lights ahead of you and take your foot off of the gas and begin to use the break. Coordination Coordination Ability to control the wheel around a left curve while slowing the vehicle down and looking through the turn. Ability to control the wheel around a left curve while slowing the vehicle down and looking through the turn. Balance Balance

Psychological Effects of Alcohol. Lowered Inhibitions Lessened Judgment Loss of Self-control These are internal qualities which keep you in check.

Compromised Internal Check System: People will do things they normally would not do when they are sober.

Why do people drink? They think they’re being cool. Their friends drink. They want to feel “good” They don’t know much about drinking. To escape problems. To “take the edge off” in social situations.

Good Hosts and The Drinking Driver Have non alcohol drinks Do not force guests to drink Have nutritious snacks If someone drinks too much what should you do?