Understanding Alcohol

Ethanol: psychoactive drug in alcoholic beverages ALCOHOL

What are the 7 organs that are responsible for alcohol absorption and metabolization? What are the 7 organs that are responsible for alcohol absorption and metabolization?

The Path of Alcohol KIDNEYS LIVER BRAIN HEART SMALL INTESTINE STOMACH MOUTH Path of Alcohol Ethanol: psychoactive drug in alcoholic beverages

MOUTH STOMACH Some alcohol is absorbed; 20-30% is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase

SMALL INTESTINE HEART Main site of alcohol absorption Blood Alcohol Concentration Amount of alcohol in the bloodstream

BRAIN Depresses Central Nervous System (CNS) ADH hormone – increases urine production

12oz beer = 5 oz wine = 1.5 oz liquor = = 12 oz. Beer 5 oz. Wine 1.5 oz. 80 proof liquor One drink per hour LIVER Main site of alcohol metabolism 0.5 oz per hour

So, how does impairment occur? Blood Alcohol Concentration - BAC The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

Factors that influence BAC Gender Gender Men v. Women Men v. Women Alcohol Dehydrogenase Alcohol Dehydrogenase Body Fat Body Fat Body Composition/Weight Body Composition/Weight Metabolism Metabolism Time Time Between drinks and cessation Between drinks and cessation Food content in the stomach Food content in the stomach

Blood Alcohol Concentration The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. Tolerance does NOT effect BAC. BAC will continue to rise! With tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of impairment may not directly correlate with BAC. Does a person’s tolerance effect their BAC?

Review Questions List in order (7 structures/organs), the path that alcohol travels in the body from consumption to metabolization. List in order (7 structures/organs), the path that alcohol travels in the body from consumption to metabolization. In ounces, how much is one drink? Include beer, wine, and liquor. In ounces, how much is one drink? Include beer, wine, and liquor. In ounces, how much alcohol is in one drink? In ounces, how much alcohol is in one drink? Extra Credit: A man and woman consume the same amount of alcohol. Based upon the general population, what are two reasons that the man may not be affected by the alcohol as much as the woman? Extra Credit: A man and woman consume the same amount of alcohol. Based upon the general population, what are two reasons that the man may not be affected by the alcohol as much as the woman?

BAC Charts

Consequences of Long Term Use and Abuse Consequences of Single Use ConditionsImpairment and Changes in Personality and Feelings Alcohol Use and Abuse

Consequences of Long Term Use and Abuse Consequences of Single Use ConditionsImpairment and Changes in Personality and Feelings Alcohol Use and Abuse Stroke and Brain Damage Cirrhosis of the liver Cancer

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse Depresses the immune system Depresses the immune system Cirrhosis of the liver Cirrhosis of the liver Stroke Stroke Cancer Cancer Brain Damage Brain Damage

Tolerance: needing more and more of a substance to get the same effect So does tolerance affect BAC? NO! If you drink, BAC is going to rise; however if you have a high tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of intoxication may not directly correlate with a person’s BAC.

MOUTH STOMACH - Alcohol enters the body - Up to 5% of the alcohol is absorbed - 20% of the alcohol is absorbed % of alcohol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase - travels through the pyloric valve to the small intestine

SMALL INTESTINE - The remainder of the alcohol is absorbed HEART - Pumps alcohol through the body -Blood vessels dilate

BRAIN -Depresses the cerebral cortex -Pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and urine production increases

LIVER -Metabolism occurs -Liver prioritizes the breakdown of alcohol over it’s normal functions. KIDNEYS - Excreted from the body as urine

Review Questions 1. What is the psychoactive drug found in all alcoholic beverages? 1. What is the psychoactive drug found in all alcoholic beverages? 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which alcohol passes from consumption to urine production. 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which alcohol passes from consumption to urine production. 3. What organ is the main site of alcohol absorption? Metabolization? 3. What organ is the main site of alcohol absorption? Metabolization? 4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, how long will it take the liver to break it down? Why 4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, how long will it take the liver to break it down? Why

Alcohol Poisoning SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS Vomiting and nausea – 1 st sign!!! Vomiting and nausea – 1 st sign!!! Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The irritation will cause vomiting. Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The irritation will cause vomiting. Loss of reflexes Loss of reflexes Loss of consciousness; “passed out” Loss of consciousness; “passed out” Pulse is weak and rapid Pulse is weak and rapid Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) Skin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluish Skin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluish You can not wake the person You can not wake the person

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse Drunk Driving – Traffic Fatalities Drunk Driving – Traffic Fatalities Teenage pregnancy Teenage pregnancy Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of death among teens Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of death among teens Accidents Accidents Suicide Suicide Homicide Homicide

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse Depresses the immune system Depresses the immune system Cirrhosis of the liver Cirrhosis of the liver Stroke Stroke Cancer Cancer Brain Damage Brain Damage

The Effects of Alcohol In low doses, alcohol produces: In low doses, alcohol produces: a relaxing effect a relaxing effect reduces tension reduces tension lowers inhibitions lowers inhibitions impairs concentration impairs concentration slows reflexes slows reflexes impairs reaction time impairs reaction time reduces coordination reduces coordination

The Effects of Alcohol In medium doses, alcohol produces: In medium doses, alcohol produces: slurred speech slurred speech cause drowsiness cause drowsiness alter emotions alter emotions

The Effects of Alcohol In high doses, alcohol produces: In high doses, alcohol produces: vomiting vomiting breathing difficulties breathing difficulties unconsciousness unconsciousness coma coma