1. Alcohol

2. Alcohol is a depressant, slows body function
made by process called fermentation (process in which yeast, sugar, and water are combined to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide)
3 types of alcohol
Beer – 4 % alcohol (fermenting barley, corn, or rye)
Wine – % alcohol (fermenting grapes or other fruits)
Liquor (whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, brandy) 40 % alcohol (made by distillation)

3. Proof Measure of the amount of alcohol in a beverage
Proof is double the percentage of alcohol in a beverage
20 % alcohol = 40 proof

4. Alcohol entering body Alcohol enters bloodstream within minutes
20 % of alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach
Most of the rest is absorbed through walls of intestine into the bloodstream
Remaining is excreted through urine, perspiration, or breath

5. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
The higher the BAC, the greater effects of alcohol on the body
Liver processes only about one drink per hour, excess alcohol builds up in the body
One-half ounce is one drink of alcohol
One-half ounce equals one can of beer, 4 to 5 ounces of wine, or one mixed drink

6. Alcohol is a toxin Poisonous to body
If you drink to much, stomach will reject it causing a person to vomit
There is no way to speed up the process of breaking down the alcohol in your body
Coffee, showers, and fresh air do not break down alcohol

7. Factors that affect BAC
Amount of alcohol consumed
Number of drinks, % of alcohol
Speed at which alcohol is consumed
faster it is consumed, higher the BAC is
Body weight
Greater effect on people with less body weight (People with a higher body weight have a higher volume of blood than people with less body weight)
Percentage of body fat
A person with higher % of body fat will have a higher BAC after one drink because body fat does not absorb as much alcohol as lean body tissue

8. 8. Presence of other drugs in bloodstream 9. Age
5. Gender
BAC rises faster in females than in males
6. Feelings
Stress, anger, and fear can affect BAC
7. Amount of food eaten
Alcohol passes more quickly into bloodstream if stomach is empty
8. Presence of other drugs in bloodstream
9. Age
Elderly people are more sensitive to alcohol (bodies of elderly people contain a lower volume of blood than younger people’s do)
10. Drinking carbonated alcoholic beverages
Passes into bloodstream more quickly

9. Binge Drinking
Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time
Drinking games are considered binge drinking
4 drinks for female, 5 drinks for male in a row
Risks of binge drinking: alcohol poisoning, impaired judgment, high blood pressure, over weight, personality and mood changes, alcoholism

10. Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels
BAC .02 –
People feel relaxed
increased social confidence, may become talkative.
Thinking and decision-making abilities may be impaired.
BAC .05 –
Areas of the brain that control reasoning and judgment are impaired
decrease in muscular coordination, and reaction time is slowed
Speech may be slurred and people may say or do things they usually would not say or do

11. BAC .50 - people enter a deep coma and die
reasoning, judgment, self-control, muscular coordination and reaction time are seriously impaired. Considered legally drunk (.08 all states)
BAC .12 –
confused, disoriented, nauseous, and may have loss of control of coordination and balance.
BAC .20 –
emotions are unpredictable, people may pass out
BAC .40 –
become unconscious, breathing and heartbeat slow down. Death can occur
BAC people enter a deep coma and die

12. How Alcohol Affects the Body
Nervous System
Impairs the brain and nerve cells
General decline in all areas of mental functioning
2. Cardiovascular System
Damage the heart
Increase risk of heart disease and stroke
Increase blood pressure

13. How Alcohol Affects the Body
3. Digestive System
increases the risk of developing ulcers and cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach
increases the risk of developing liver disease
Fatty Liver – liver is enlarged with fatty tissue
Alcoholic hepatitis - a condition in which the liver swells due to alcohol, resulting in serious illness or death (yellowing of skin and eyes, abdominal pain and fever)
Cirrhosis - a disease of the liver caused by chronic damage to liver cells resulting in liver failure and death

14. How Alcohol Affects the Body
4. Skeletal System
Body will lose calcium
Frequent, long-term use of alcohol is a risk factor for developing osteoporosis
5. Urinary System
Kidney failure
6. Reproductive System
Infertility, inability to have children

15. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Presence of severe birth defects in babies born to mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy – leading cause of mental disability
May have small eye slits, a small head, physical and mental disabilities
Risk of miscarriage or stillbirth
Low birth weight
Born with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal – sleeping problems, shakes, abnormal reflexes

16. Thinking and Decision Making
It can cause you to make wrong decisions
It can give you a false sense of self-confidence in social situations and interfere with your judgment
It can make you feel invincible
It can increase the likelihood that you will give in to negative peer pressure
It can intensify your sexual feelings and dull your reasoning

17. Thinking and Decision Making
It slows your reaction time and affects your coordination
It can cause you to have aggressive behavior
It intensifies your emotions
Can cause hangover – headaches, nausea, fatigue, irritability
Can cause blackouts - period in which a person cannot remember what has happened

18. Alcohol and Violence
Domestic Violence - most acts occur after a family member has been drinking alcohol
Suicide Attempts - drinking can intensify feelings of sadness and depression
Rape – people who have been drinking are more likely to commit rape
Drinking and Driving – leading cause of death and spinal injury in young people
In all states, people must be 21 years old to purchase or possess alcohol

19. Alcoholism
A disease in which there is physical and psychological dependence on alcohol
Moods and emotions change rapidly and behavior becomes unpredictable and irresponsible
Withdrawal – reaction to the sudden stop of alcohol consumption
Nauseous, anxious, agitated, may vomit, have tremors, trouble sleeping, and delirium tremens (hallucinations and convulsions)

20. How to Get Help
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – recovery program for people who have alcoholism
Al-Anon – recovery program for people who have friends or family members with alcoholism
Alateen – recovery program for teens who have a family member or friend with alcoholism
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) – recovery program for children who have one or more parents with alcoholism

21. Are you at Risk for Alcoholism?
Genetics - a child of a parent who has alcoholism is more likely to develop alcohol problems than a child of a parent who does not have alcoholism
Childhood behavior
Psychiatric disorders
Self-esteem – lower self-esteem = higher rate of alcoholism
Social factors

22. Alcohol Advertising
Timing of ads – on tv during sports games and on weekends and in popular magazines
Billboards draw attention to alcohol
Internet – numerous web sites that promote alcohol use
Attractive people – advertisements usually show attractive people drinking and having fun

23. Resisting Peer Pressure
Use assertive behavior. Say “no” in a firm and confident voice
Give reasons for saying “no” to alcohol
Use nonverbal behavior to match verbal behavior
Avoid being in situations in which there will be pressure to drink alcohol
Avoid being with people who drink alcohol
Walk away from the situation

24. Resisting Peer Pressure
7. Influence others to choose responsible behavior 8. Avoid being influenced by advertisements for alcohol 9. Make up an excuse for not drinking alcohol 10. Give the cold shoulder or ignore the person if they persist 11. Broken record technique (keep repeating no) 12. Suggest something else to do 13. Blame your parents