Alcohol is a powerful depressant drug Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Alcohol robs the body of its ability to absorb key nutrients and, with long term overuse may lead to malnutrition. (Chpt 25) What is alcohol?

Escape pressures or problem Feel better or get over from sad or lonely Deal with stress and relax Boost self-esteem in social situations Curiosity or excitement Because their peers are doing it Bored Because people tell them they can’t drink Why do young people drink?

Depends on several factors –Person’s gender, size and how much food is in the stomach Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Brain Slows down activity in the brain Thought processes are disorganized Decision making can be badly affected

Liver Causes oxidation, which is when alcohol is changed into water, carbon dioxide and energy Liver can oxidize 10 to 15 ml of alcohol an hour, there is no way to speed up this process Until the liver oxidizes all the alcohol, the alcohol keeps circulating throughout the body. MYTH: cold shower and coffee. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

Blood Vessels and Heart Causes blood vessels to widen, which cause you to feel warmer than your body is. Your body actually gets colder because there is more blood flow near the top of the skin Causes increase in heart rate and blood pressure Causes scar tissue to build up on the muscles of the heart Chance of heart attack and stroke is increased Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

Kidneys and Stomach Alcohol affects the pituitary gland, causing the kidneys to produce more urine This is why there is a feeling of dehydration the day after drinking heavy Alcohol can be absorbed right into the blood in the stomach, it doesn’t have to be digested The more food in the stomach, the slower the absorption process The more alcohol, the more acidic juices in the stomach, the more irritation in the stomach, leads to internal bleeding Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

Vitamin deficiencies Stomach and skin problems Loss of appetite Permanent damage to liver and central nervous system Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Causes brain damage Chronic liver problems –Fatty liver- condition in which fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down –Cirrhosis- liver tissue is destroyed and then replaced with scar tissue –Hepatitis- inflammation or infection in the liver that can cause weakness, fever and even sometimes death Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Builds up a tolerance and a dependence –Tolerance- condition in which the body becomes used to the effects of alcohol Your body goes through withdrawal Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Driving and Alcohol DWI- (Driving while intoxicated) DUI- (Driving under the influence) BAC- (Blood alcohol content)- amount of alcohol in the blood expressed as a percentage Signs of being intoxicated can be shown when a BAC reaches.02 DWI and DUI fall under people that have a.08 BAC (changed JAN 2004)

Drinking on any level: –Reduces the ability to judge distances, speeds and turns –Reduces the ability to judge accurately one’s own capabilities and limitations –Increases the tendency to take risks –Slows reflexes –Adds to forgetfulness to take precautions such as using signals when turning –Reduces the ability to concentrate Driving and Alcohol