1. Harmful Effects of Alcohol Use
Chapter 22 Lesson 2

2. Short-Term Effects of Drinking
Body Size and gender
Small person feels effect faster
Alcohol moves into the bloodstream faster in females
Food
Food slows down the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream

3. Short-Term Effects of Drinking
Amount and rate of intake
More alcohol consumed = more alcohol in the bloodstream
When person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, intoxication results.
If blood alcohol levels become too high, alcohol poisoning can occur.

4. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Nervous System
Brain
Less able to control the body
Movement, vision, & speech affected
Memory
Thought process are disorganized & memory & concentration dulled
Judgment
Altered & coordination impaired

5. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Cardiovascular System
Heart
Low intake  increase in heart rate & blood pressure
Higher intake  decrease in heart rate & blood pressure, heart rhythm becomes irregular & risk of cardiac arrest increases
Blood Vessels
Causes blood vessels to expand and allows body heat to escape (body temperature drops)

6. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Digestive System
Stomach
Some alcohol passes quickly from stomach into the bloodstream
Stomach acid production increases & results in nausea & vomiting
Liver
Toxic chemicals are released as liver metabolizes alcohol and causes inflammation and scarring
Kidneys
Increases urine output, which can lead to dehydration

7. Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Respiratory System
Lungs
Carbon dioxide formed by the liver is released from the body
Breathing
Alcohol depresses nerves that control breathing
Excessive alcohol consumption causes breathing to slow, become irregular, or stop

8. Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Interactions between medications and alcohol can lead to
Illness
Injury
Death
Can result in a multiplier effect -medication will have a greater or different effect than if it were taken alone.

9. Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Most over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs warn users against drinking alcohol while on that drug.
Can lead to accidents, crime, and suicide.
Make sure you read all medication information or don’t drink alcohol while on a medication.

10. Typical Alcohol-Drug Interactions
Alcohol may slow a drug’s absorption
Increases the length of time the alcohol or drug is in the body & increases the risk of harmful side effects of the drug
Frequent drinking can increase metabolizing enzymes in the body
Can cause medications to be broken down faster than normal, decreasing effectiveness

11. Typical Alcohol-Drug Interactions
Metabolizing enzymes can change medications into chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs.
Example – alcohol with acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage even in small amounts
Alcohol can increase the effects of some drugs
Example – alcohol with antihistamines can cause excessive dizziness & sleepiness (what if you’re driving?)

12. Driving Under the Influence
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), also known as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), is the leading cause of death among teens.
Intoxicated when the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) exceeds the state’s legal limit.
BAC – amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage.
Illinois = .08

13. Driving Under the Influence
Signs of intoxication can begin to appear at BACs as low as .02
No acceptable BAC if under the age of 21
Drinking
Slows reflexes
Reduces a person’s ability to judge distance & speed
Increases risk-taking behaviors
Reduces a person’s concentration while increasing forgetfulness

14. Alcohol and BAC
40% 10% %
Alcohol by volume

15. Consequences of DWI
If police suspect, driver is given a field sobriety test and then a breathalyzer to measure BAC
Consequences of an intoxicated teen
Harm to the driver & others
Severely restricted driving privileges &/or immediate confiscation of a driver’s license
Alcohol related injuries, property damage, & death.
Living with regret & remorse from these consequences
Loss of parental trust & respect
Arrest, jail time, court appearance, & heavy fine or bail
A police record & possible lawsuits
Higher insurance rates

16. Consequences of DWI
Never ride in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.
Find a ride with someone who has not been drinking
Call home to have someone come to get you
Try to prevent the person from driving
Take the keys, find a ride home for them

17. Binge Drinking Drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting
Can lead to alcohol poisoning

18. Alcohol Poisoning
A severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose.
Alcohol is a depressant that shuts down involuntary responses such as breathing & the gag reflex that prevents choking.
Common to vomit because alcohol is a stomach irritant
Person can choke and be asphyxiated by his her own vomit

19. Effects of Alcohol Poisoning
Passing out is a common side effect of drinking too much alcohol.
Alcohol doesn’t stop entering the bloodstream.
Alcohol in the stomach & small intestines enters the bloodstream, causing the BAC to continue to rise.
Don’t assume that a person will be fine if they “sleep it off.”

20. Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be roused, vomiting, seizures
Slow respiration – 10 seconds between breaths or fewer than 8 breaths a minute
Irregular heartbeat
Hypothermia – pale or bluish skin
Severe dehydration from vomiting
A person who experiences any of these signs or has passed out may die if left untreated
If suspect alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.