Alcohol Use: A High-Risk Behavior

Alcohol is… Ethanol : the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Ethanol : the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. A POWERFUL DRUG A POWERFUL DRUG Made synthetically, or can be produced naturally by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or grains. Made synthetically, or can be produced naturally by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or grains. Fermentation : the chemical action of yeast on sugars. Fermentation : the chemical action of yeast on sugars.

Affects of Alcohol Depressant: a type of drug that causes the central nervous system to slow down. Depressant: a type of drug that causes the central nervous system to slow down. Intoxication: physical and mental impairment resulting from the use of alcohol. Intoxication: physical and mental impairment resulting from the use of alcohol. Symptoms can range from impaired ability to perform everyday tasks to unconsciousness. Symptoms can range from impaired ability to perform everyday tasks to unconsciousness. Alcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb key nutrients, and overuse can cause malnutrition Alcohol impairs the body’s ability to absorb key nutrients, and overuse can cause malnutrition

Is the statement below a myth or a fact about alcohol? Beer and wine are safer drinks than “hard” liquors like whiskey.

Answer: MYTH One standard serving of beer, wine, or liquor contains the same amount of alcohol. One standard serving of beer, wine, or liquor contains the same amount of alcohol.

Standard serving sizes of each different kind of alcohol are different. ( beer serving size is larger than liquor serving size) One must also pay attention to the “proof” of the alcohol… the higher the proof, the higher the alcohol content = quicker onset of affects

What Alcohol Does to the Body

Alcohol through the Body 1) Alcohol enters the mouth. 2) Alcohol travels down the throat to the stomach. 3) Alcohol is absorbed into the blood by the stomach and small intestine. 4) Alcohol travels through the blood to the water-containing organs of the body. 5) Alcohol affects many brain functions. 6) Alcohol is metabolized in the liver. 7) Alcohol is excreted from the body after processing by the kidneys

Short-Term Effects Depends on… Depends on… Amount of alcohol consumed Amount of alcohol consumed Person’s gender and size Person’s gender and size Whether or not there is food in stomach Whether or not there is food in stomach

Affects of Alcohol on the Brain Alcohol reaches brain almost as soon as it is consumed Alcohol reaches brain almost as soon as it is consumed Depresses brain activity Depresses brain activity Slows Central Nervous System Slows Central Nervous System Leads to disorganized thoughts, dulled memory and concentration Leads to disorganized thoughts, dulled memory and concentration Decision making negatively affected Decision making negatively affected

Typical Neuron Neurotransmission across a synapse

Brain Damage Excessive alcohol use will invariably lead to damage, but even moderate drinking can destroy brain cells. Excessive alcohol use will invariably lead to damage, but even moderate drinking can destroy brain cells. Can cause loss of intellectual abilities such as memory and problem solving Can cause loss of intellectual abilities such as memory and problem solving Can get severe enough for hospitalization in mental institutions Can get severe enough for hospitalization in mental institutions Losses can seriously interfere with everyday functions Losses can seriously interfere with everyday functions

Liver and Alcohol The liver oxidizes (changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide, and energy) The liver oxidizes (changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide, and energy) The liver can only oxidize 10 to 15 mL of alcohol per hour The liver can only oxidize 10 to 15 mL of alcohol per hour Until the liver gets around to oxidizing all the alcohol consumed, that alcohol continues circulating through all body parts Until the liver gets around to oxidizing all the alcohol consumed, that alcohol continues circulating through all body parts

Will taking a cold shower or drinking coffee sober up someone who is drinking?

Chronic Liver Problems Interferes with ability to break down fats… Fatty Liver Interferes with ability to break down fats… Fatty Liver Can cause alcoholic hepatitis an inflammation or infection of the liver that can cause weakness, jaundice, fever, and sometimes death. Can cause alcoholic hepatitis an inflammation or infection of the liver that can cause weakness, jaundice, fever, and sometimes death. Cirrhosis Cirrhosis

Fatty Liver a condition in which fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down a condition in which fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down Increased fat prevents liver from functioning normally Increased fat prevents liver from functioning normally Interferes with growth of new liver cells Interferes with growth of new liver cells Excess fat in liver blocks blood flow in liver cells = reduced oxygen = cell death Excess fat in liver blocks blood flow in liver cells = reduced oxygen = cell death

Cirrhosis A condition in which liver tissue is destroyed and then replaced with useless scar tissue A condition in which liver tissue is destroyed and then replaced with useless scar tissue No blood flow in the scarred area because there are no blood vessels = liver’s ability to work is greatly reduced No blood flow in the scarred area because there are no blood vessels = liver’s ability to work is greatly reduced

Lungs Carbon dioxide is released from the body through the lungs. The water passes out of the body in the form of urine, sweat, and breath vapor Carbon dioxide is released from the body through the lungs. The water passes out of the body in the form of urine, sweat, and breath vapor

Affect on Mouth and Throat Chemicals affect mucosal lining, tongue, gums, and throat Chemicals affect mucosal lining, tongue, gums, and throat

Small Intestine The rest of the alcohol moves to the small intestine, where it enters the blood stream more slowly The rest of the alcohol moves to the small intestine, where it enters the blood stream more slowly

Stomach An alcohol molecule is very small and is water soluble so it does not have to be digested…it is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream An alcohol molecule is very small and is water soluble so it does not have to be digested…it is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream Food in stomach slows this absorption but will not keep someone from getting drunk Food in stomach slows this absorption but will not keep someone from getting drunk Alcohol increases flow of gastric juices from stomach lining Alcohol increases flow of gastric juices from stomach lining Larger amounts of alcohol=larger flow of high- acid juices which irritates the stomach lining Larger amounts of alcohol=larger flow of high- acid juices which irritates the stomach lining Repeated irritation = internal bleeding Repeated irritation = internal bleeding

What role does food play in slowing the absorption of alcohol in the body? What kinds of food might be more successful in slowing down the absorption process?

Blood Vessels Carry alcohol to all parts of the body, most importantly the heart, liver and brain Carry alcohol to all parts of the body, most importantly the heart, liver and brain Alcohol cause blood vessels to dilate (widen) = increased blood flow, especially to skin Alcohol cause blood vessels to dilate (widen) = increased blood flow, especially to skin This creates artificial warmth where person feels warm, but is really losing heat by radiation (Body temp decreases) This creates artificial warmth where person feels warm, but is really losing heat by radiation (Body temp decreases) Greater risk for hypothermia in the cold Greater risk for hypothermia in the cold

Affects on the Heart Changes heart rate Changes heart rate Changes blood pressure Changes blood pressure Can lead to arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats Can lead to arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats Can cause scar tissue build up in muscle fibers of the heart Can cause scar tissue build up in muscle fibers of the heart Risk of heart attack and stroke increase Risk of heart attack and stroke increase

Alcohol and your Kidneys Alcohol affects pituitary gland Alcohol affects pituitary gland This acts on kidneys causing them to produce more urine This acts on kidneys causing them to produce more urine Causes dehydrated feeling day after Causes dehydrated feeling day after

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Long Term Affects of Alcohol Abuse Vitamin deficiencies Vitamin deficiencies Stomach problems Stomach problems Skin problems Skin problems Loss of appetite Loss of appetite Permanent damage to liver and CNS Permanent damage to liver and CNS

Multiplier Effect Synergistic effect: occurs when two or more medicines are taken simultaneously Synergistic effect: occurs when two or more medicines are taken simultaneously Alcohol combined with other drugs or medicine produces an interaction known as the multiplier effect Alcohol combined with other drugs or medicine produces an interaction known as the multiplier effect Many accidental deaths result from combining alcohol with other drugs or medicines. Many accidental deaths result from combining alcohol with other drugs or medicines.

Alcohol and Pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): a condition in which a fetus has been affected mentally and physically by its mother’s heavy alcohol use during pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): a condition in which a fetus has been affected mentally and physically by its mother’s heavy alcohol use during pregnancy *The alcohol a pregnant female drinks moves into her blood, across the placenta and through the umbilical cord into the blood of the unborn child. *Alcohol remains in the babies body much longer than the mother’s

Problems Associated with FAS Problems Associated with FAS low birth weight low birth weight impaired speech impaired speech cleft palate cleft palate general weakness general weakness slow body growth slow body growth facial abnormalities facial abnormalities Poor coordination heart defects mental retardation poor attention span Nervousness hyperactivity

Blood Alcohol Concentration The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a percentage The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a percentage Signs of intoxication can begin to appear at a BAC as low as.02 Signs of intoxication can begin to appear at a BAC as low as.02 Factors that affect BAC: gender, weight, metabolism, amount consumed, whether the person ate before drinking, time elapsed between drinks or after drinking stopped Factors that affect BAC: gender, weight, metabolism, amount consumed, whether the person ate before drinking, time elapsed between drinks or after drinking stopped

Table 4. Progressive Effects of Alcohol Blood Alcohol Concentration Changes in Feelings and Personality Brain Regions AffectedImpaired Activities (continuum) 0.01–0.05Relaxation Sense of well being Loss of inhibition Cerebral cortexAlertness Judgment Coordination (especially fine motor skills) Visual tracking Reasoning and depth perception Inappropriate social behavior (obnoxiousness) Slurred speech Lack of balance Loss of temperature regulation Loss of bladder control Difficulty breathing Slowed heart rate 0.06–0.10Pleasure Numbness of feelings Nausea, Sleepiness Emotional arousal Cerebral cortex + forebrain 0.11–0.20Mood swings Anger Sadness Mania Cerebral cortex + forebrain + cerebellum 0.21–0.30Aggression Reduced sensations Depression Stupor Cerebral cortex + forebrain + cerebellum + brain stem 0.31–0.40Unconsciousness Death possible Coma Entire brain 0.41 and greaterDeath Source: Advisory committee and NIAAA scientists. Table 4. Progressive Effects of Alcohol

Other Consequences MIP: Minor in possession MIP: Minor in possession A minor in possession of alcohol Exhibiting Exhibiting A minor exhibiting signs of intoxication can be stopped and charged the same as an MIP even if they are not in possession of alcohol at the time.

Alcohol Trends and the affect on Society

Patterns of Alcohol Abuse Binge Drinking: periodic excessive drinking Binge Drinking: periodic excessive drinking This type of drinking normally occurs at a social event or contest to see who can drink the most in the shortest amount of time and is popular among underage drinkers. This type of drinking normally occurs at a social event or contest to see who can drink the most in the shortest amount of time and is popular among underage drinkers. Can still be a form of alcoholism Can still be a form of alcoholism

A danger associated more with binge drinking than any other pattern of alcohol abuse is alcohol poisoning. A danger associated more with binge drinking than any other pattern of alcohol abuse is alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning: a dangerous toxic condition that occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol Alcohol poisoning: a dangerous toxic condition that occurs when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol At BAC of about 400 mg/dL (4 times the legal limit) the brain’s ability to control breathing is interrupted = death At BAC of about 400 mg/dL (4 times the legal limit) the brain’s ability to control breathing is interrupted = death

Alcoholism A physical and psychological dependence on the drug ethanol A physical and psychological dependence on the drug ethanol Alcoholism a disease Alcoholism a disease Alcoholics may exhibit some of the following symptoms: Alcoholics may exhibit some of the following symptoms: Preoccupation with alcohol Preoccupation with alcohol Inability to predict how much they will drink, or what they will say or do when drinking Inability to predict how much they will drink, or what they will say or do when drinking Unable to manage tension without alcohol Unable to manage tension without alcohol Personality changes or memory lapses due to drinking Personality changes or memory lapses due to drinking

Treated, not cured Alcohol has already taken it toll on the body, so once an alcoholic stops drinking, they not go back to where they started. If they have another drink at anytime in life, they just pick back up at the same place they were when they stopped. Alcohol has already taken it toll on the body, so once an alcoholic stops drinking, they not go back to where they started. If they have another drink at anytime in life, they just pick back up at the same place they were when they stopped.

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Alcohol and Sexual Activity Affects judgment and may interfere with self control over one’s emotions, decisions, and behavior. May do or say things he or she may not normally do. Affects judgment and may interfere with self control over one’s emotions, decisions, and behavior. May do or say things he or she may not normally do. Alcohol may be used as an ice breaker, but can quickly escalate into a situation the person may later regret. Alcohol may be used as an ice breaker, but can quickly escalate into a situation the person may later regret. Alcohol is involved in a great number of cases of HIV/AIDS, STIs, unplanned pregnancies, ruined reputations, date rape, and violence. Alcohol is involved in a great number of cases of HIV/AIDS, STIs, unplanned pregnancies, ruined reputations, date rape, and violence.

Myth or Fact Alcohol is a stimulant. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are problems only for the individual drinker. Children cannot be alcoholics. Small amounts of alcohol won’t impair bodily or mental functions. Alcohol’s effects are only temporary. Alcohol is good for your health. Alcoholism can be cured by behavioral programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.