Alcohol Where does it come from? What type of drug is it?

Alcohol Alcohol- drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables and grains Alcohol- drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables and grains Depressants- drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions Depressants- drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions

the concentration of alcohol in a beverage is the proof value the concentration of alcohol in a beverage is the proof value Proof value = 2X percentage alcohol. Proof value = 2X percentage alcohol. E.g. 100 proof (whiskey) contains 50% alcohol E.g. 100 proof (whiskey) contains 50% alcohol

12 oz beer 12 oz beer 5 oz wine 5 oz wine 1.5 oz of a “shot’ 80 proof alcohol 1.5 oz of a “shot’ 80 proof alcohol Current recommendations are: Current recommendations are: –1 drink/day for women –2 drinks/day for men ONE DRINK = 0.6 oz pure alcohol

Alcohol Use Patterns in the USA 1/3 are abstainers 1/3 are abstainers 2/3 are drinkers 2/3 are drinkers –1/3 are light drinkers –1/3 are moderate/heavy drinkers 10% of the drinking population is considered heavy drinkers- they are responsible for 50% of all alcohol consumption in the US!!!!!!!!! 10% of the drinking population is considered heavy drinkers- they are responsible for 50% of all alcohol consumption in the US!!!!!!!!! Annual Sales of alcohol average out to roughly 2.3 gallons of absolute alcohol per person Annual Sales of alcohol average out to roughly 2.3 gallons of absolute alcohol per person

Alcohol use and TEENS Research has shown that alcohol use can interfere with long and short term growth Research has shown that alcohol use can interfere with long and short term growth Can harm the brains ability to learn and ability to remember Can harm the brains ability to learn and ability to remember Increases the risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence Increases the risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence Arrested, fined or sent to youth detention Arrested, fined or sent to youth detention 1/3 of all teen traffic deaths are related to alcohol 1/3 of all teen traffic deaths are related to alcohol

Vocabulary Binge Drinking- consumption of large quantities of alcohol in short period of time (2 hours) Binge Drinking- consumption of large quantities of alcohol in short period of time (2 hours) 4 drinks for women 4 drinks for women 5 drinks for men 5 drinks for men Alcohol poisoning- dangerous condition that results when a person drinks excessive amount of alcohol over a short period of time Alcohol poisoning- dangerous condition that results when a person drinks excessive amount of alcohol over a short period of time

Absorption and Metabolism 20% rapidly absorbed into bloodstream 20% rapidly absorbed into bloodstream 75 % through upper part of the small intestine and the rest enters further along in the intestinal tract. 75 % through upper part of the small intestine and the rest enters further along in the intestinal tract. Metabolism of alcohol is in the liver. Metabolism of alcohol is in the liver. 2-10% is not metabolized but is excreted through the sweat glands, lungs and kidneys. 2-10% is not metabolized but is excreted through the sweat glands, lungs and kidneys.

Vocabulary Intoxication- a person’s mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol Intoxication- a person’s mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) – measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person’s blood Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) – measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person’s blood –.02% makes people feel light headed –.08% enough to make it dangerous to drive (legally intoxicated)

Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption Strength of the beverage Strength of the beverage Number of drinks consumed Number of drinks consumed Speed of consumption Speed of consumption What you are mixing it with What you are mixing it with Presence of food in stomach Presence of food in stomach Gender and body size Gender and body size Physical tolerance Physical tolerance Body chemistry / General health Body chemistry / General health Combining with other drugs Combining with other drugs

Blood Alcohol Concentration Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample

Possible consequences of frequent alcohol use

Long Term Physical Effects Mouth: absorbed through lining which goes directly to blood, increases mouth and throat cancer Mouth: absorbed through lining which goes directly to blood, increases mouth and throat cancer Stomach: irritates lining and increase acid causing swelling and ulcers which lead to bleeding. Weakens the valve from stomach to esophagus causing heartburn Stomach: irritates lining and increase acid causing swelling and ulcers which lead to bleeding. Weakens the valve from stomach to esophagus causing heartburn

Long Term Physical Effects Liver: if alcohol is frequently in blood, liver cells die causing Liver: if alcohol is frequently in blood, liver cells die causing Fatty Liver fat builds up in liver and cannot be broken down Cirrhosis- disease characterized by scarring and eventual destruction of liver

Long Term Physical Effects Brain: disrupts parts of brain responsible for memory and problem solving…unlike many other kinds of cells, brain cells do NOT grow back Brain: disrupts parts of brain responsible for memory and problem solving…unlike many other kinds of cells, brain cells do NOT grow back Heart: damages heart muscle, causing it to weaken and enlarge which leads to high BP. Increasing risk of congestive heart failure and stroke Heart: damages heart muscle, causing it to weaken and enlarge which leads to high BP. Increasing risk of congestive heart failure and stroke

Normal healthy liver Liver with cirrhosis

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult Fetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult Damage results in mental retardation Damage results in mental retardation Other characteristics are low birth weight, facial abnormalities, widely spaced eyes, and a much smaller head. Other characteristics are low birth weight, facial abnormalities, widely spaced eyes, and a much smaller head. Full expression rate: 1-3 out of 1000 births Full expression rate: 1-3 out of 1000 births Partial expression rate: 3-9/100 births Partial expression rate: 3-9/100 births

FAS

Alcoholism- different patterns Regular daily intake of large amounts Regular daily intake of large amounts Regular heavy drinking limited to weekends Regular heavy drinking limited to weekends Long periods of sobriety interspersed with periods of binge drinking lasting weeks or months Long periods of sobriety interspersed with periods of binge drinking lasting weeks or months Heavy drinking limited to periods of stress Heavy drinking limited to periods of stress