Alcohol is a DRUG Produced by the chemical process called fermentation of fruits Produced by the chemical process called fermentation of fruits Over 17 million Americans have physical, social and psychological problems related to alcohol use. Over 17 million Americans have physical, social and psychological problems related to alcohol use.

Statistics Specific to Teens Monitoring the Future (MTF) reported Monitoring the Future (MTF) reported that in 2004, nearly one in five 8 th that in 2004, nearly one in five 8 th graders, more than one in three 10 th graders, more than one in three 10 th graders, and nearly one in two 12 th graders, and nearly one in two 12 th graders had a drink in the graders had a drink in the past month past month

Statistics Specific to Teens (Cont.) From National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2003): 10.9 million users ages million users ages million “binge drinkers” 7.2 million “binge drinkers”

However… Drinking alcohol is ILLEGAL for anyone under the age of 21.

What type of Drug is Alcohol? Alcohol is a depressant which is : A drug that slows down the working of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. A drug that slows down the working of the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

Why is this dangerous? Chronic, excessive use of alcohol can cause serious damage to organs and different functions of the body Chronic, excessive use of alcohol can cause serious damage to organs and different functions of the body Drinking alcohol can even cause DEATH Drinking alcohol can even cause DEATH

Short Term Effects Chemicals affect the lining of the tongue, gums, and throat Chemicals affect the lining of the tongue, gums, and throat About 20% of the alcohol consumed is not digested but passes through the lining of the stomach into the bloodstream About 20% of the alcohol consumed is not digested but passes through the lining of the stomach into the bloodstream Too much alcohol in the stomach will make you vomit! Too much alcohol in the stomach will make you vomit!

Short Term Effects (Cont.) The rest of the alcohol moves into the small intestine where it enters the blood stream more slowly. The rest of the alcohol moves into the small intestine where it enters the blood stream more slowly. Alcohol causes the heart to beat faster and the blood vessels to widen Alcohol causes the heart to beat faster and the blood vessels to widen The increased blood flow to the skins allows: The increased blood flow to the skins allows: -Body heat to escape and body temperature to drop

How quickly does alcohol reach the brain? Within Minutes! -The brain becomes less able to control the body- movement, speech and vision

What is Happening? Intoxication! Intoxication occurs when a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down. What is the Liver Doing? The organ called the liver metabolizes alcohol in to water and carbon dioxide The organ called the liver metabolizes alcohol in to water and carbon dioxide

LUCKY 7 LUCKY 7 are the 7 factors that influence how a person will react to alcohol 1.SPEED- Drinking a lot in a short period of time causes alcohol to remain in the blood stream longer

LUCKY 7 2. QUANTITY- The metabolism of alcohol takes place at a fairly constant rate, if consumption exceeds this rate, alcohol levels in the bloodstream will rise. 3. FOOD- A person who has eaten recently has food in their stomach. This will slow the passing of alcohol in to the bloodstream.

LUCKY 7 4. WEIGHT- A lighter person feels the effects of alcohol sooner than a heavier person. 5. GENDER- Females have more body fat and alcohol goes in to bloodstream faster.

LUCKY 7 6. MOOD- A drinker that starts off depressed usually ends up more depressed and more intoxicated. 7. OTHER DRUGS- Mixing alcohol with other drugs increases the effects of the alcohol or of the other drugs. Even aspirin makes a difference in how alcohol affects the body.

Percentage of Alcohol Beer and wine have a lower percentage of alcohol by volume than vodka or whiskey. Beer and wine have a lower percentage of alcohol by volume than vodka or whiskey. The alcohol content of 12 ounce beer is equal to one glass of wine or one shot of liquor The alcohol content of 12 ounce beer is equal to one glass of wine or one shot of liquor = =

BAC BAC- Blood Alcohol Concentration BAC- Blood Alcohol Concentration The BAC of.08 or more is considered legally intoxicated or drunk if you are 21 or older. The BAC of.08 or more is considered legally intoxicated or drunk if you are 21 or older. The BAC level of.02 is the limit for anyone under 21. The BAC level of.02 is the limit for anyone under 21.

What Happens If You Have Had Too Much to Drink? A Hangover- describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of drugs, particularly alcoholic beverages. The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and thirst A Hangover- describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of drugs, particularly alcoholic beverages. The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and thirstalcoholic beveragesheadache nauseasensitivity to lightalcoholic beveragesheadache nauseasensitivity to light The only cure for a hang over is the time it takes for the liver to break down the alcohol. The only cure for a hang over is the time it takes for the liver to break down the alcohol.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) A women who consumes alcohol when she is pregnant may cause her child to have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome A women who consumes alcohol when she is pregnant may cause her child to have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Even one drink maybe be harmful to a fetus. Even one drink maybe be harmful to a fetus. FAS is a preventable disease and babies born with it may have: FAS is a preventable disease and babies born with it may have: - Low birth weight, weak, facial deformities

When Driving… Even one drink impairs a persons: - Vision - Reaction Time - Motor Coordination

Alcohol causes fatalities in these accidents.. Bicycle: 33% Pedestrian: 50% Drowning: 25% to 50% Fires: 50%

What Alcohol Does… Responsible for 1/3 of teen crimes Responsible for 1/3 of teen crimes Responsible for 50% of Teen Suicides Responsible for 50% of Teen Suicides Drinking alcohol is leading factor in unplanned pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases because….. Drinking alcohol is leading factor in unplanned pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases because…..

Is there progress being made? Yes there is a decrease in drunk driving because of anti-drinking and driving campaigns. Yes there is a decrease in drunk driving because of anti-drinking and driving campaigns. Drinking and Driving

What are ways that helped reduce the amount of drunk drivers? Increased penalties for DUI Increased penalties for DUI The driver is responsible for any incident that may occur if the BAC is above.08 The driver is responsible for any incident that may occur if the BAC is above.08 Organization such as MADD and SADD push for stricter penalties for DUI and create awareness programs for the community Organization such as MADD and SADD push for stricter penalties for DUI and create awareness programs for the community

Alcohol can be habit forming or addicting… An addiction is…. An addiction is…. A person who is addicted and stops will experience _________ symptoms A person who is addicted and stops will experience _________ symptoms Some of these may include: Some of these may include: Young people who start drinking at an early age will have a greater chance of becoming addicted to alcohol. Young people who start drinking at an early age will have a greater chance of becoming addicted to alcohol.