Mr. Hanes and Mrs. Dehlinger Alcohol Unit Notes Mr. Hanes and Mrs. Dehlinger
What is alcohol? Depressant drug, alcohol is classified as a which means it slows down the central nervous system. FYI…Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. (Rotting fooD )
Examples of alcohol include…
Beer Wine Whiskey, Vodka, Liquor
Alcohol Equivalency
Factors that determine how alcohol affects you: Strength of drink and how fast you drink Body Size Gender Level of experience and Tolerance Empty or Full Stomach Your mood and attitude (mood and tude)
Tolerance- When the body and brain are regularly subjected to alcohol and a lesser effect occurs.
Alcohol and your body When a person drinks alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes and begins to affects nearly every organ in the body. ***If people do not use alcohol in Moderation, over time, it can cause health problems!
Mouth
Mouth Alcohol is consumed and passes through the esophagus
Stomach
Stomach A small amount of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining and is transmitted (moves) into the blood. Consuming large amounts of alcohol will damage the lining of the stomach and can cause ulcers and stomach cancer.
Small intestine
Small intestine Most of the alcohol is absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and goes into the bloodstream
Heart
Heart Alcohol is a depressant, therefore it causes the heart to slow. Heavy drinking can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Kidneys
Kidneys Alcohol is a diuretic, which causes your body to produce more urine, making your kidneys work overtime. This can lead to kidney failure.
Liver
Liver Your liver breaks down alcohol so that your body can get rid of it. Heavy drinking can permanently damage your liver causing a disease called cirrhosis.
Alcohol and your brain
1.) Cerebral Cortex Controls: Thinking, decision making, emotions and the 5 senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch), judgements.
Cerebral Cortex Effects of Alcohol: Decreases ability to think clearly, decreases your inhibitions (inner force that stops activities), causes you to act without thinking, can increase anger and depression
This is why people who abuse alcohol are more likely to make poor decisons such as: 1.) Getting into fights 2.) 3.) 4.)
Controls: Body Movements such as coordination, walking and reflexes. 2. Cerebellum Controls: Body Movements such as coordination, walking and reflexes.
Cerebellum Effects of Alcohol: Slows reflexes, causes you to lose balance, and decreases coordination
3.) Medulla (oblongata) Controls: Involuntary processes such as breathing and maintaining the body temperature.
3. Medulla (Oblongata) Effects of alcohol: Drinking a lot can slow down function and can eventually lead to a coma.
4.) Central Nervous System Controls: Signals sent from your brain to your body
4.) Central Nervous System Effects of Alcohol: interferes with your body’s communication system- slows the processes of thinking, moving and talking..
Controls: Heart rate, hunger and thirst. 5. Hypothalamus Controls: Heart rate, hunger and thirst.
5. Hypothalamus Effect: Alcohol slows the heart rate and can make you not hungry or thirsty.
Controls: Memory and Learning 6.) Hippocampus Controls: Memory and Learning
6.) Hippocampus Effects of Alcohol: Drinking a lot can cause blackouts. Long term alcohol use can cause permanent damage making it difficult to learn.
A social drinker typically: Drinks slowly Types of Drinker A social drinker typically: Drinks slowly Never drives during/after drinking Knows and obeys laws related to drinking Respects other non drinkers
A problem drinker: Drinks to get drunk (Binge drinking= 5 or more drinks in an hour) Drinks to cope with problems or stressful life events Causes other problems- physically or emotionally hurts himself or herself, family, friends and strangers Is defensive and justifies his or her drinking Seems unable to have a good time unless alcohol or other drugs are available Hangs out with other people who have similar drinking habits.
An alcoholic: Loses control of his or her drinking- unable to stop drinking when he or she wants Spends much time thinking/talking about drinking and planning when he or she can have their next drink Hides his or her drinking Needs to drink before faces stressful situations Has or causes major problems- with classes, friends, family and police