Alcohol, Tobacco, and Caffeine

Alcohol Alcohol is a drug that acts as a powerful depressant. Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) – an addictive drug produced by fermentation or distillation and found in beer, wine, liquor. Not all alcoholic beverages contain the same amount of ethanol. Alcohol is a drug that acts as a powerful depressant. A depressant is a drug that slows the activity of the body’s central nervous system. Alcohol too muchnerves too slowbody too dead!!

Proof The measure of the percentage of alcohol in the beverage. Most wines are between 12 and 15 percent Most ales are between 6 and 8 percent Most beers are between 4 and 6 percent Same ethanol different volumes

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) The ratio of alcohol to total blood volume

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Decimal numbers need to be converted to percentages to be anything meaningful. .10 x 100 =10% That means 10% of fluid in blood flowing through veins is alcohol.

In 1 hour the liver can break down the amount of ethanol in a can of beer, a shot of liquor, or a glass of wine. A variety of factors can affect a person’s BAC: Gender Age, weight, & height Amount of food in the stomach Concentration of alcohol in beverages consumed Rate of consumption

Organs most affected #1 brain #2 liver

Binge Drinking Drinking for the purpose of becoming Drunk Five drinks in a single sitting for men Four drinks in a single sitting for women If a person drinks large amounts of alcohol, vital functions such as heart beat and breathing can be seriously affected, resulting in death.

Other Effects of Alcohol Dehydration Hangover Symptoms – muscle and headaches, upset stomach, anxiety, depression and thirst Shrinkage in brain size and weight High blood pressure and decreased heart rate Cirrhosis of the Liver – liver cells die and damage becomes permanent Cancer of the esophagus, stomach, mouth, tongue, and liver

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) A disorder that may affect the fetus when the mother consumes alcohol during pregnancy. Effects include: mental retardation, small head, tremors, and abnormalities of the face, limbs, heart and brain.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Any woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not drink alcohol at all! There is no safe amount or period for alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Tobacco The chemical stimulant nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco products. Nicotine is highly poisonous and super addictive but is not the harmful component of smoking. The harmful health effects of smoking come from the tar. Tar is a chemical resin left over from burning plants. --smokeless tobaccos like chew can cause health problems but in a different way

Drug effects of nicotine causes rapid, shallow breathing elevates heartbeats increases in blood pressure speeds up your basal metabolic rate, your metabolism when you are at rest triggers the release of the body's glucose stores, giving a person more short-term energy and suppressing appetite.

Tobacco Products Tobacco can be burned in a cigarette, pipe or cigar and nicotine is released and inhaled into the lungs Sucking or chewing a pinch of snuff releases nicotine into the saliva and then it is absorbed through the membranes of the mouth

Effects of Smoking

Caffeine A stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some soft drinks Side effects include wakefulness, insomnia, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, nausea, indigestion and heartburn

Mr. Ds drink of choice

Caffeine stimulants for your bowels. These products contain caffeine.