1. Alcohol use can harm the body and the brain and cause a person to make poor decisions.

2. ethanol
fermentation
depressant
intoxication
binge drinking
alcohol poisoning

3. Alcohol
Alcohol is an addictive drug.
Using alcohol during the teen years can affect brain development.

4. Alcohol, or more accurately, ethanol is a powerful and addictive drug.
The type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages

5. Alcohol
Ethanol can be produced synthetically, or naturally through the fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Fermentation
The chemical action of yeast on sugars

6. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol impairs the central nervous system.
Using alcohol slows reaction time, impairs vision, and diminishes judgment.

7. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant.
Depressant
A drug that slows the central nervous system

8. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
The amount of alcohol that can cause intoxication varies from person to person.
Intoxication
The state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance, and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced.

9. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Changes to the Brain
Development. Pathways and connections necessary for learning may be permanently damaged.
Memory. Thought processes are disorganized, and memory and concentration are dulled.
Judgment and control. Judgment is altered and coordination is impaired. Movement, speech, and vision may be affected.
Risk of stroke. Alcohol use may increase risk of stroke in young people.

10. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Cardiovascular Changes
Heart. Small amounts of alcohol can increase the heart rate and blood pressure. High levels of alcohol have the opposite effect, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure. Heart rhythm becomes irregular. Body temperature drops.

11. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Digestive System Problems
Stomach. Alcohol increases stomach acid production and can cause nausea and vomiting.

12. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Liver and Kidney Problems
Liver. Toxic chemicals are released as the liver metabolizes alcohol. These chemicals cause inflammation and scarring of the liver tissue.
Kidneys. Alcohol causes the kidneys to increase urine output, which can lead to dehydration.

13. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Pancreas Problems
Pancreas. Consuming large amounts of alcohol quickly can cause pancreatitis, which is accompanied by acute, severe pain. The pancreas produces enzymes that break down nutrients in foods. Alcohol use can disrupt the absorption of these nutrients.

14. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol use can decrease your performance in activities you enjoy.

15. Factors that Influence Alcohol’s Effects
A smaller person feels the effect of the same amount of alcohol faster than a larger person does.
Body Size
Alcohol generally moves into the bloodstream faster in females.
Gender
Food in the stomach slows down the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Food
If a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, the person becomes intoxicated.
Rate of Intake
As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, the level of alcohol in the bloodstream rises.
Amount
Alcohol can interfere with the effects of medicines, and medicines can heighten the effects of alcohol.
Medicine

16. Factors that Influence Alcohol’s Effects
The effects of alcohol depend on many factors, including gender and body size.

17. Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Alcohol and drug interactions can lead to illness or death.
Medicines that may cause reactions have warning labels that advise people not to use alcohol.

18. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol use can have negative effects on a person’s health.
Alcohol use can have long-term effects on a user’s physical, mental/emotional, and social health.

19. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Addiction
Excessive alcohol use over a long period of time can damage the brain.
Loss of brain function
Brain damage

20. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Heart Damage
Excessive alcohol use over a long period of time can damage the cardiovascular system.
High Blood Pressure

21. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Irritation of digestive lining
Excessive alcohol use over a long period of time can damage the digestive system.
Fatty liver
Alcoholic hepatitis
Cirrhosis of the liver

22. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Excessive alcohol use over a long period of time can damage the pancreas.
Digestive chemicals destroy the pancreas, causing pain, vomiting, and even death.

23. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
If a person stops using alcohol, some of the physical effects of long-term alcohol use can be reversed over time.
The negative effects of alcohol use can also include damage to relationships with family, friends, and others.

24. Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning
Consuming a large amount of alcohol over a short period of time can be fatal.
Some people choose to drink large amounts of alcohol during one session.

25. Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning
Binge drinking can severely impair the drinker’s body systems.
Binge drinking
Drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting

26. Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning
Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning
A severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose

27. Effects of Alcohol Poisoning
It is dangerous to assume that a person who has passed out after consuming a lot of alcohol will be fine if left to “sleep it off.”
If you suspect that a person has alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.

28. Effects of Alcohol Poisoning
Hypothermia or low body temperature
Mental confusion and stupor
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Coma and an inability to be roused
Irregular heartbeat
Vomiting and seizures
Slow respiration

29. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
What is intoxication? What influences how fast a person becomes intoxicated?
The state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance, and mental and physical control is reduced; factors include body size, gender, food, rate of intake, amount, and medicine

30. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
Explain how alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system.
Slows reaction time, impairs vision, and diminishes clear thinking and good judgment

31. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
What is binge drinking? What can happen as a result of binge drinking?
Drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting; impaired physical and mental abilities, alcohol poisoning