Unit 5 - Chapter 15 ALCOHOL

False – Alcohol is a depressant True or false? Alcohol is a stimulant that speeds up the body False – Alcohol is a depressant

Drug – is a chemical substance that is taken to cause changes in a person’s body or behavior Depressant – is a drug that slows brain and body reactions

In slowing the body’s normal reactions, alcohol may cause Confusion Decreased alertness Poor coordination Blurred vision Drowsiness

Is for teens and others under the age of 21 Is a policy where students face stiff consequences- tickets, court, jail, community service Can happen the first time

What alcohol does Unlike food, alcohol does not have to be digested in the stomach before it is absorbed into the blood Alcohol gets into a person’s bloodstream within minutes of being consumed. Once in the blood, alcohol circulates throughout the body, where it has widespread effects.

Effects of Intoxication Nervous System Brain activity slows down. Coordination becomes impaired. Sensations and perception become less clear. Reflexes become sluggish. Cardiovascular System Heart rate and blood pressure increase. More blood flows to the skin’s surface. Core body temperature decreases. Digestive System Excretory System Too much alcohol in the stomach may cause vomiting. Kidneys increase urine production. Drinker loses more water from body than usual. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjANz9r5F0

Behavioral Effects Drinkers lose judgment and self control Natural fears are decreased Increased risk of sexual activity/rape Increased use of drugs Angry or violent Personality changes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkpz7xFTWJo

Blood Alcohol Concentration is the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage BAC is a more reliable measure of intoxication than the number of drinks consumed The higher a person’s blood alcohol concentration, the more severe the physical and behavioral effects Complete Factors effect BAC in packet - use page 382 in book

Factors effecting (BAC) Rate of consumption People who have a few drinks in one hour have a higher BAC than people who drink the same amount over several hours Gender Males generally will have a lower BAC than females Body size Size In general, smaller people—by weight and height—feel the effects of alcohol more than larger people Amount of food in stomach Drinking on an empty stomach increases the rate of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream

Alcohol content Milk jug activity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck7B_Q0FBjU

Page 383 – estimating BAC

Warning signs of alcohol poisoning Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin Slow or irregular respiration Vomiting while sleeping Cannot be awakened (unconsciousness) Complete vocabulary in the packet

Life-Threatening Effects Intoxication increases the risks Motor accidents Alcohol overdose Interactions with other drugs Sexual desire & preganacy Each year, crashes and other injuries related to underage drinking kill about 5,000 youth in the United States Jacquis story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXo_usX7Tw&feature=related

Alcohol’s damage to the body Brain Damage Long-term alcohol abuse destroys nerve cells in the brain. Destroyed nerve cells usually cannot grow again. The loss of many nerve cells causes permanent changes that impair memory the ability to concentrate the ability to make sound judgments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gVzVIBc_g

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of birth defects caused by the effects of alcohol on an unborn child. Babies born with this syndrome may suffer from heart defects Malformed faces Delayed growth Poor motor development Mental retardation Brain and behavioral problems Even small amounts of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can cause brain damage.

Liver Damage Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to metabolize, or break down, fats. Fat-filled liver cells die, leaving behind useless scar tissue. This disease, called cirrhosis, may lead to liver failure and death.

Heart Disease Excessive drinking contributes to heart disease. Over time, alcohol causes Increased blood pressure Increased heart rate and irregular heart beat Build up of fatty deposits in the heart muscle

Digestive Problems Ongoing drinking irritates the tissues that line the digestive system. Repeated irritation increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, tongue, esophagus, and stomach recurring diarrhea chronic indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers

Drinking Levels among Youth The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students, during the past 30 days 39% drank some amount of alcohol 22% binge drank 8% drove after drinking alcohol 24% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol  

Stages of Alcoholism Stage 1 – Problem Drinking Stage 2 – Absolute Dependence Stage 3 – Late Stage of Alcoholism Addiction Activity