Alcohol and the Body Alcohol is a drug that depresses the brain and nervous system and is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Fermentation is a process in which yeast, sugar, and water are combined to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is Ethanol.

Beer – Beer is an alcoholic beverage that is made by fermenting barley, corn, or rye. – Most beers are about 4 percent alcohol. (check label) Wine – Wine is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grapes or other fruits. – Most wines are about 12 to 14 percent alcohol. (check label)

Liquor – Liquor is an alcoholic beverage that is made by distillation. – Most liquors are about 40 percent alcohol. – Proof is a measure of the amount of alcohol in a beverage and is 2x the percentage of alcohol. For example: Whiskey labeled 80 Proof has 40% Alcohol.

– About 10 percent of the alcohol is absorbed in the mouth. – About 20 percent of the alcohol that a person drinks is absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach. – A majority of the rest of the alcohol is absorbed through the walls of the intestine, where it moves quickly into the bloodstream. Alcohol enters the bloodstream within minutes

Factors That Affect BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) 1. Amount of alcohol consumed –The number of drinks people have affects their BAC while the alcohol content of each drink determines the effects of the alcohol. 2. Speed at which alcohol is consumed –Drinking at a faster rate increases BAC, is dangerous, and can be fatal.

4. Percentage of body fat – Body fat does not absorb as much alcohol as lean body tissue; therefore, a person with the higher percentage of body fat will have a higher BAC after one drink. 5. Gender – BAC rises faster in females than in males. 3. Body weight

6. Feelings – Feelings, such as stress, anger, and fear, can affect BAC by speeding up the time it takes alcohol to enter the bloodstream. 7. Amount of food eaten – Alcohol passes more quickly into the bloodstream when the stomach is empty than when it is full. 8. Rate of Elimination

Look at BAC Transparency BAC is the number of grams of alcohol per 100 mL of Blood expressed in a %. While looking at this chart, remember that the legal limit for a person OVER 21 in the state of TEXAS is 0.08 The legal limit for a person UNDER 21 in the state of TEXAS is 0.00 Depending on the BAC level, it can take 2-10 hours or LONGER for ALL alcohol to be eliminated from the body.

Why People Start Drinking Social Pressures: - Peer Pressure -Stress (escape pressures of life, deal with depression, boredom, anxiety, being uncomfortable) Advertising: -Commercials show healthy, fun, sophisticated people drinking -Seen more and more in movies and TV shows. Looked at as normal daily behavior. Way to Rebel: -Want to do it because they know it is wrong.

– A hazing activity is an activity in which a person is forced to participate in a dangerous or demeaning act to become a member of a club or group. Drinking can be a hazing activity. Drinking games can be life-threatening. – Binge drinking is consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time.

A British TV documentary on what happens to a woman when she becomes a binge drinker for 30 days reveals rapid aging and weight gain. Taking its cues from Morgan Spurlock's film Super Size Me, the documentary follows 39-year-old Nicky Taylor as she descends into temporary alcoholism.binge drinker for 30 days

How Alcohol Affects the Different Body Systems Alcohol is a leading cause of death. Almost every part of the body is harmed when people drink large quantities of alcohol.

Nervous System Drinking alcohol can cause a general decline in all areas of mental functioning: Judgement—ability to estimate the consequences of one’s choices Reaction Time—time it takes to respond to stimulus Self-Control—ability to direct one’s own actions- loosens inhibitions Consiousnesss-awareness—senses are dulled; vision is also affected; vision is the FIRST sense to be affected by the intake of alcohol

Alcohol is highly neurotoxic, meaning it directly destroys nerve cells - both those in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal chord), and those in the peripheral nervous system (the rest of the body). Unfortunately nerve cells do not re-grow as well as ordinary tissue, so such damage can be irreparable.

Digestive System – Cirrhosis is a disease of the liver caused by chronic damage to liver cells. – Alcoholic hepatitis is a condition in which the liver swells due to alcohol, resulting in serious illness or death. – A liver transplant is the only effective treatment for people with advanced cirrhosis.

A healthy liver in adults weighs about 3 pounds (left). A liver damaged by alcoholism shows a buildup of fatty tissue (middle), and a liver with cirrhosis is enlarged and swollen (right).

Immune System Depresses the function which increases the risk of developing certain illnesses, such as respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and certain cancers. Long-term drinking lowers the number of infection-fighting cells in the body.

Cardiovascular System Damages organs Increases risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Skeletal System Causes the body to lose calcium Frequent, long-term use is a risk factor for developing osteoporosis.

Urinary System Increases urine flow Long-term, heavy drinking can cause kidney failure.

Reproductive System Significant effects on this system during puberty Females: delays first menstrual cycle and causes irregular periods Males: affects size of testes and development of muscle mass

Fetal alcohol syndrome – Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the presence of severe birth defects in babies born to mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy. – FAS is a leading cause of mental disability. Warning: Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause FAS.

Drinking alcohol can interfere with the simplest of tasks. Alcohol can cause you to take actions that can be harmful to yourself and others.

Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease in which there is a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol. Alcohol dependence, another term for alcoholism, can destroy the life of an individual and the lives of those around him or her.

Stages of Alcoholism Stage One: Uses to relieve stress or to relax. Uses alcohol to cope with the day-to- day pressures of life. Person may become drunk. Stage Two: The body develops a need for more and more alcohol. The drinker spends a lot of time figuring out when they will have their next drink.

Stages of Alcoholism Cont. Stage Three: The FINAL stage. The drinking is out of control. Without alcohol, the drinker experiences mental and physical pain.

Withdrawal – Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the reaction of the body to the sudden stop of alcohol consumption. – Delirium tremens syndrome is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in which there are hallucinations and muscle convulsions.

– Treatment usually involves short- or long- term stays at a recovery facility and may involve recovery programs. – Some recovery programs for people who have alcoholism and their families and friends include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Alateen, and Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA). Treatment for Alcoholism