The Health risks of alcohol Use Mrs. Vogel High School Health

Alcohol is an addictive drug Ethanol- the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages- is powerful and an addictive drug. Alcohol use during teen years can affect the development of your brain. Fermentation- the chemical action of yeast and sugars.

Fermentation Ethanol can be produced synthetically or naturally by fermenting fruits, vegetables and grains. Water, flavoring and minerals are mixed with Ethanol to produce beverages such as beer, wine, and malt- liquor drinks Alcohol can be processed to create spirits or liquors.

Short-term Effects of Alcohol Alcohol impairs the central nervous system Alcohol is a depressant Depressant- a drug that slows the central nervous system Using Alcohol… Slows reaction time Impairs vision Diminishes judgment

Short- term Effects of Alcohol Intoxication- is the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance, and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced. Alcohol stays in a person’s system until the liver can metabolize it, or break it down. The amount of alcohol that can cause intoxication varies from person to person

Factors that Influence Alcohol’s Effects Body Size A smaller person feels the effect of the same amount of alcohol faster than a larger person does. Gender Alcohol tends to move through the bloodstream faster in females than in males. Food Food in the stomach slows down the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream

Factors that Influence Alcohol’s Effects Rate of Intake If a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, the person becomes intoxicated Amount As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, the level of alcohol in the bloodstream rises Medicine Alcohol can interfere with the effects of medication and medication can heighten the effects of alcohol

Alcohol and Drug Interactions Alcohol can change the effect of medicines. These interactions can lead to illness or death. Medicines that may cause reaction will have a warning labels that advise people not to use alcohol.

Avoid Alcoholic Drinks

Alcohol and Drug Interaction Typical alcohol-drug interactions: The body may absorb the drug or alcohol more slowly, increasing the length of time that the alcohol or the drug is in your body Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of some medications, and increase the effectiveness of others Enzymes in the body can change some medications into chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs

Long-term Effects of Alcohol Alcohol use can have long-term effects on a user’s physical, mental/emotional, and social health. It may not just be the person consuming the alcohol that is feeling the effects, but someone close to that person as well.

Long-term Effects of Alcohol Excessive alcohol use over a long period of time can damage body systems… Brain cells and a reduction in brain size. Increase in blood pressure, may lead to heart attack or stroke

Long-term Effects of Alcohol Damage to the digestive lining of the stomach Ulcer Cancer in the stomach Destruction of the Pancreas Buildup of fat cells in liver, which can lead to cell death

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning Binge Drinking- drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting Binge Drinking can lead to Alcohol poisoning Alcohol Poisoning- a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose.

Alcohol Poisoning When drinking alcohol, it acts as a depressant on all organs. The actions that are involuntary such as breathing and the gag reflex that prevents chocking may be impaired.

Alcohol Poisoning A person who drinks too much may pass out. However the alcohol is still in that persons stomach and will continue to go into that persons bloodstream making their blood alcohol level to continue to rise. It is extremely dangerous to assume that a person who has passed out after consuming a lot of alcohol will be fine if left to sleep it off.

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms… Mental confusion and stupor. Coma and an inability to be roused Vomiting and seizures Slow Respiration- ten seconds between breathes or fewer than eight breathes per minute. Irregular heartbeat Hypothermia or low body temperature- pale or bluish skin color

Alcohol Poisoning If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.