Alcohol

Alcohol Depressants- drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions Depressants- drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions

Vocabulary Binge Drinking- consumption of large quantities of alcohol in short period of time (2 hours) Binge Drinking- consumption of large quantities of alcohol in short period of time (2 hours) Why is this bad for you? Why is this bad for you? 4 drinks for women 4 drinks for women 5 drinks for men 5 drinks for men Alcohol poisoning- dangerous condition that results when a person drinks excessive amount of alcohol over a short period of time Alcohol poisoning- dangerous condition that results when a person drinks excessive amount of alcohol over a short period of time

Vocabulary Intoxication- a person’s mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol Intoxication- a person’s mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) – measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person’s blood Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) – measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person’s blood –.02% makes people feel light headed –.08% enough to make it dangerous to drive (legally intoxicated)

Alcohol use and TEENS Research has shown that alcohol use can interfere with long and short term growth Research has shown that alcohol use can interfere with long and short term growth Can harm the brains ability to learn and ability to remember Can harm the brains ability to learn and ability to remember Increases the risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence Increases the risk of social problems, depression, suicidal thoughts and violence Arrested, fined or sent to youth detention Arrested, fined or sent to youth detention 1/3 of all teen traffic deaths are related to alcohol 1/3 of all teen traffic deaths are related to alcohol

Blood Alcohol Concentration Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample

What’s in a Drink? 4oz 12oz 1oz They all HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL!!!!

the concentration of alcohol in a beverage is the proof value the concentration of alcohol in a beverage is the proof value Proof value = 2X percentage alcohol. Proof value = 2X percentage alcohol. E.g. 100 proof (whiskey) contains 50% alcohol E.g. 100 proof (whiskey) contains 50% alcohol

Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption Strength of the beverage Strength of the beverage Number of drinks consumed Number of drinks consumed Speed of consumption Speed of consumption What you are mixing it with What you are mixing it with Presence of food in stomach Presence of food in stomach Gender and body size Gender and body size Physical tolerance Physical tolerance Body chemistry / General health Body chemistry / General health Combining with other drugs Combining with other drugs

Long Term Physical Effects Mouth: Increases mouth and throat cancer Mouth: Increases mouth and throat cancer Stomach: Irritates lining and increase acid causing swelling and ulcers which lead to bleeding. Weakens the valve from stomach to esophagus causing heartburn Stomach: Irritates lining and increase acid causing swelling and ulcers which lead to bleeding. Weakens the valve from stomach to esophagus causing heartburn

Long Term Physical Effects Liver: If alcohol is frequently in blood, liver cells die causing Liver: If alcohol is frequently in blood, liver cells die causing Fatty Liver fat builds up in liver and cannot be broken down Cirrhosis- disease characterized by scarring and eventual destruction of liver

Normal healthy liver Liver with cirrhosis

Long Term Physical Effects Brain: Disrupts parts of brain responsible for memory and problem solving…unlike many other kinds of cells, brain cells do NOT grow back Brain: Disrupts parts of brain responsible for memory and problem solving…unlike many other kinds of cells, brain cells do NOT grow back Heart: Damages heart muscle, causing it to weaken and enlarge which leads to high BP. Increasing risk of congestive heart failure and stroke Heart: Damages heart muscle, causing it to weaken and enlarge which leads to high BP. Increasing risk of congestive heart failure and stroke

What are the negative short term effects of alcohol use?

Short Term Effects Perception and motor skills Perception and motor skills –Fine motor skills, reaction time, speech –Should you drive? Heart and blood vessels Heart and blood vessels –Increases blood pressure –Blood vessels expand = lose body heat Feel warm but be careful in cold weather Feel warm but be careful in cold weather

Short Term Effects Sleepiness Sleepiness –Alcohol is a depressant Makes people tired Makes people tired At first, not tired but might feel energized from loss of inhibitions At first, not tired but might feel energized from loss of inhibitions

Short Term Effects Emotions are intensified Emotions are intensified –Judgement is affected by alcohol Results in poor decisions Results in poor decisions Risk taking Risk taking Violence Violence Injuries Injuries

Alcohol Poisoning How can you tell? How can you tell? –Unconscious or semi-consciousness. –Slow respiration (breaths) of eight or less per minute –Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. If this happens, call 911 If this happens, call 911 Turn on their side Turn on their side Wait for help to arrive Wait for help to arrive