1. Health
Ch. 15

2. Sec. 1 Alcohol is a drug
A drug is a chemical substance that is taken to cause changes in a person’s body or behavior.
In slowing the body’s normal reactions, alcohol may cause confusion, decreased alertness, poor coordination, blurred vision, and drowsiness.
Alcohol is a powerful depressant that slows the brain and body reactions.

3. If someone drinks large amounts of alcohol, it will affect vital functions such as heartbeat, and breathing.
Drinking too much alcohol can result in death.
Fermentation is the process that produces alcohol.

4. Not all alcoholic beverages contain the same amount of alcohol.
It typically ranges from 4% to 50%
Beer-4% alcohol
Liquor – 40%
Wine- 10%
To calculate alcohol content:
Multiply drink volume by percent alcohol

5. The attitudes of peers, family and the media strongly influence underage drinking
Some teens drink to fit in or just to do what their classmates are doing.

6. Risks of underage drinking:
Being injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident
Committing or being victim of sexual assault or other violence
Long-term brain damage
Problems with alcohol later in life
Suspension from school, sports teams, or other school activities.

7. Sec. 2 Alcohols effects on the body
Many negative effects on a drinker’s body and behavior accompany intoxication by alcohol.
Effects:
Nervous system- brain activity slows down, coordination becomes impaired, reflexes become sluggish
A person who drinks a lot of alcohol may suffer a blackout
Digestive System- too much alcohol in the stomach may cause vomiting

8. Effects continued:
Excretory System- kidneys increase urine production, drinker loses more water from body than usual
Cardiovascular System- heart rate and blood pressure increase, more blood flows to the skin’s surface, core body temperature deceases.

9. Blood Alcohol concentration( BAC) – the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage.
reflexes slow , alertness declines
judgment and self-control are impaired, reaction time is slowed
muscle coordination decrease

10. BAC levels continued:
vomiting usually occurs, emotions become exaggerated, unstable, or violent
.20- confusion, dizziness, and disorientation occur, vision and speech are impaired, blackouts are typical
.30- ability to stand or walk is lost, loss of consciousness may occur
.40-loss of consciousness usually occurs, death may occur
.50 or higher- death usually occurs

11. Things that affect BAC:
Rate of alcohol consumption
Gender
Size of drinker
How much food is in the stomach

12. Intoxication increases the risk of death from motor vehicle crashes, alcohol overdose, and interactions of alcohol with other drugs.

13. Sec. 3 Long-Term Risks of Alcohol
Long-term alcohol abuse may harm the brain, liver, heart, and digestive system.
Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy may permanently harm the developing baby.

14. Alcoholism is a consequence of long-term alcohol use.
It can change tolerance pf the brain
Start dependence which can lead to dependence
Any one who drinks is at risk form becoming an alcoholic
Children of alcoholics are five times more likely to become alcoholics
Underage drinking is also a risk

15. What begins as a problem drinking becomes absolute dependence and finally late-stage alcoholism
Stages:
Stage one- problem drinking,
Stage 2 absolute dependence- the drinker becomes totally dependent on the drug
Stage 3- late-stage alcoholism, entire lives revolve around drinking

16. There are three stages in an alcoholic’s recovery:
Acknowledging problem
Detoxification
rehabilitation

17. Sec. 4 Choosing Not to Drink
Sticking to your decision not to drink means being able to say no with confidence in situations where other people are drinking.
Refusal skill- skill needed to say no

18. Prepare for pressure: (ask yourself the following)
What are your reasons for not drinking alcohol at this time in my life
How can I come across as confident in my decision
In what situations will I most likely encounter pressure to drink
Why are my friends pressuring me to drink
Are there other friends who can help me stick to my decision

19. Stick to your decision.
You never have to apologize for not drinking.
Avoiding situations in which alcohol is present will help you stay alcohol free.
It will also help you avoid related risks, like being injured by someone who has been drinking.