THE HEALTH RISKS OF ALCOHOL ALCOHOL IS AN ADDICTIVE DRUG

THE HEALTH RISKS OF ALCOHOL Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. Ethanol can be produced through the process of fermentation. Fermentation caused by the breakdown of sugars by yeast. picture of yeast in young alcohol

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ALCOHOLS EFFECTS Body Size Gender Women possess a smaller quantity of the enzyme needed to break down alcohol (alcohol dehydrogenase) Food Rate of Intake Amount Medicine Taken before or while drinking, many medications will multiply the effects of alcohol on your body.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG INTERACTIONS Alcohol can change the effects of medicines The body may absorb the drug or alcohol more slowly; increasing the time that alcohol or the drug is in the body. Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness or some medicines and increase the effectiveness of others. Enzymes in the body released to breakdown alcohol can change medication into potentially harmful chemicals.

SHORT TERM PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Alcohol is a depressant that slows the central nervous system. Alcohol slows reaction times, impairs vision, and diminishes judgment. Intoxication is the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced.

INTOXICATED BRAIN FUNCTION The Prefrontal Cortex is the area responsible for judgment and decision making

Short Term BenefitsShort Term Consequences\567 Long Term BenefitsLong Term Consequences - 570

BINGE DRINKING & ALCOHOL POISONING

BINGE DRINKING Binge drinking is a pattern of excessive alcohol use that increases a person's blood alcohol content very rapidly. Binge Drinking is defined as drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting for men and 4 or more drinks in one sitting for women.

BINGE DRINKING CAN CAUSE OR BE ASSOCIATED WITH: Unintentional injuries (e.g., car crashes, falls, burns, drowning) Intentional injuries (e.g., firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence) Alcohol poisoning Sexually transmitted diseases Unintended pregnancy High blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases Liver disease- through regular binge drinking Neurological damage

CAN I INCREASE MY TOLERANCE BY DRINKING MORE OFTEN AND MORE FREQUENTLY? Yes, but this is not a good thing. Higher tolerance means you can ingest more alcohol without showing signs of intoxication. If you drink frequently, your body will become accustomed to the effects of alcohol and you will not feel as drunk, but your blood alcohol content (BAC) is not affected by tolerance and the alcohol still does the same damage to your liver and other organs. Increasing your tolerance will lead you to drink more to get the same effects, leading to greater liver damage and other health complications

ALCOHOL POISONING Alcohol poisoning is a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose. This is often a consequence of consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect your breathing, heart rate and gag reflex and potentially lead to coma and death.

WHAT TO DO WITH A CASE OF ALCOHOL POISONING… Call 911 Stay with your friend until help arrives Turn your friend on his or her side Monitor breathing closely Hesitating to act can mean the difference between life and death.

WHAT NOT TO DO: Leave your friend alone Let your friend "sleep it off" Allow your friend to drive Give your friend food, liquid, medication or drugs Encourage your friend to walk, run or exercise Put your friend in a cold shower You are ALWAYS doing the right thing by getting help.