The Consequences of Alcohol and How it Affects the Body

Alcohol and the Body Alcohol enters the blood stream within 20 minutes. Most of the alcohol is changed to harmless waste by the liver, but the liver can only process about one dink per hour. If people have more than one drink, the excess alcohol builds up in the body. The effects of alcohol intensify as the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases. The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BAC is given as a percentage. The higher the BAC, the greater the effects of alcohol on the body.

Factors that Affect BAC Amount of alcohol consumed The number of drinks people have affects their BAC. The alcohol content of each drink determines the effects of the alcohol. Speed at which alcohol is consumed Drinking at a faster rate increases BAC. Drinking alcohol quickly is dangerous and can be fatal. When people consume several alcoholic beverages in a short period of time, the liver does not have time to break down the alcohol. Body Weight People with a higher body weight have a higher volume of blood than people with less body weight. The same amount of alcohol produces a greater effect on people with less body weight.

Factors that Affect BAC Percentage of body fat Body fat does not absorb as much alcohol as lean body tissue. A person with the higher percentage of body fat will have a higher BAC after one drink than a person with the lower percentage of body fat. Gender BAC rises faster in females than in males. Females usually have a higher percentage of body fat than males. Certain hormones make females more sensitive to the effects of alcohol than males. Females also have less of a certain stomach enzyme that breaks down alcohol before it enters the bloodstream. Feelings Feelings such as stress, anger, and fear can affect BAC by speeding up the time it takes alcohol to enter the bloodstream. Amount of food eaten Alcohol passes more quickly into the bloodstream when the stomach is empty than when it is full.

Factors that Affect BAC Percentage of other drugs in the blood-stream The presence of certain drugs in the bloodstream increases the effects of alcohol. For example, tranquilizers and painkillers increase the depressant effects of alcohol. Drinking carbonated alcoholic beverages The alcohol in carbonated beverages passes into the bloodstream more quickly than the alcohol in noncarbonated drinks.

What Happens as BAC Increases People feel relaxed. They may have increased social confidence and become talkative. Thinking and decision making abilities may be impaired. BAC .05 Areas of the brain the control reasoning and judgment are impaired. People feel warm, relaxed, and confident. Speech may be slurred. People may say or do things they usually would not say or do. There is a decrease in muscular coordination, and reaction time is slowed. BAC .08-.10 Reasoning, judgment, self-control, muscular coordination, and reaction time are seriously impaired. People no longer can make responsible decisions. However, they may claim not to be affected by the alcohol. They have slurred speech and walk with a stagger. In most states, they are considered legally drunk.

What Happens as BAC Increases People usually become confused and disoriented. People may have loss of control of coordination and balance. People may become nauseous and vomit. BAC .20 Emotions are unpredictable and may change rapidly. For example, people may quickly switch from crying to laughing. They may pass out. BAC .30 People will have little or no control over their minds and bodies. Most people cannot stay awake to reach this BAC. BAC .40 People are likely to be unconscious. Breathing and heartbeat slow down. Death can occur. BAC .50 People may enter a deep coma and die. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUKLHa4f7h4

How Alcohol Affects the Body 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 blackouts, seizures, and dementia, which is a general decline in all areas of mental function. Digestive System Drinking increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Drinking can also cause ulcers in the stomach. An ulcer is an open sore on the skin or on a mucous membrane. It can increase the risk of developing liver disease. Drinking interferes with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, which can cause malnutrition, a condition in which the body does not get enough nutrients required for optimal health. Immune System Drinking depresses the function of the immune system, which increases the risk of developing certain illnesses, such as respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and certain cancers.

How Alcohol Affects the Body Cardiovascular System People who drink are at increased risk of developing cardio- vascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Skeletal System Drinking causes the body to lose calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become thin and brittle. Urinary System Alcohol increases urine flow. Long-term, heavy drinking can cause kidney failure. Reproductive System Drinking can have significant effects on the reproductive system during puberty. In females, it can delay the first menstrual cycle and cause irregular periods. In males, drinking can affect the size of the testes and the development of muscle mass.

How Drinking Affects Thinking and Decision Making It can cause you to make wrong decisions. If you drink alcohol, you might make a choice that you would not normally make and risk your health and safety or cause you to break the law and family guidelines. It can give you a false sense of self confidence in social situations and interfere with your judgment. Teens should never use drinking to be more social. Because alcohol affects communication and reasoning, you may find out later that you did or said things that were not appropriate. You may insult someone or share a secret you were supposed to keep. The next day you may find out that you lost a friend because of your actions. It can make you feel invincible. You may do something daring or dangerous, causing you to injure you or someone else.

How Drinking Affects Thinking and Decision Making It can increase the likelihood that you will give in to negative peer pressure. If you have been drinking, you are more likely to be persuaded by peers to do things that you would not normally do. It can intensify your sexual feelings and dull your reasoning. If you drink, your sexual feelings may be difficult to control. Many teens who have been sexually active were drinking before they had sex. The consequences of unprotected sex include unplanned pregnancy, STD’s, HIV, and emotional trauma. It slows your reaction time and affects your coordination. If you drink you cannot respond as quickly as usual. It can cause you to have aggressive behavior. If you drink, you are more likely to become violent and to commit physical abuse or murder.

How Drinking Affects Thinking and Decision Making It intensifies your emotions. If you drink, you will have more intense feelings than usual. You may feel extremely sad, depressed, desperate, jealous, or angry. Drinking to numb depressed feelings in very dangerous. Many teen suicide attempts involve alcohol or other drugs. Hangover An aftereffect of using alcohol or other drugs is called a hangover. A hangover may involve a headache, increased sensitivity to sounds, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and irritability. Blackouts People who drink alcohol may have blackouts. A blackout is a period in which a person cannot remember what has happened. People who have been drinking may do something risky, embarrassing, or violent, engage in sex, or find themselves in an unfamiliar place and not remember anything.

How Drinking Increases the Risk of Violence and Illegal Behavior Alcohol and Violence People who drink, often have little regard for feelings and safety of others. This may lead to violence and illegal behaviors. Alcohol and Suicide Drinking can intensify feelings of sadness and depression. Alcohol is a factor in many teen suicide attempts. Alcohol and Rape Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for rape. The threatened or actually use of physical force to get someone to have sex without giving consent is called rape. People who have been drinking are more likely to commit rape. Drunkenness or being high on drugs is not a legal defense against rape. Also, a female who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs cannot give legally binding consent to have sex.

How Drinking Increases the Risk of Violence and Illegal Behavior Alcohol and the Law In all states, people must be 21 years old to purchase of possess alcohol. Those under the age of 21 who drink or purchase alcohol risk being arrested, fined, and jailed. Alcohol and School Policies Teens who drink alcohol during school hours or bring alcohol to school are breaking school policies. Most schools suspend or expel students who break school alcohol policies. Alcohol and Driving People who drink and drive may injure or kill themselves or other people. Alcohol related motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and spinal injury in young people. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ7oqmikZDQ

Sources Page, Randy. "Unit 7: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs." Health and Wellness. By Linda Brower. Meeks and Philip Heit. New York: McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2005. 404-18. Print. Stephaweeee. "Drinking and Driving." YouTube. YouTube, 25 Sept. 2006. Web. 13 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xprhJLwYr-Y>.