Alcohol Use Chapter Eight: Taking control of alcohol use The most recent information is showing national data indicating alcohol consumption per capita has gradually dropped in the United States since the early 1980’s. Alcohol still does remain the preferred form of drug use for most adults (including college students). There are many reasons why people choose to drink but regardless of these reasons, it still does alter brain chemistry by depressing the central nervous system, resulting in inhibitions(inner controls that prevent a person from engaging in certain types of behavior) being reduced which results in different versions of personalities coming out of check.

the concentration of alcohol in a beverage is the proof value Proof value = 2X percentage alcohol. E.g. 100 proof (whiskey) contains 50% alcohol

Alcohol Use Patterns in the USA 1/3 are abstainers 2/3 are drinkers 1/3 are light drinkers 1/3 are moderate/heavy drinkers 10% of the drinking population is considered heavy drinkers- they are responsible for 50% of all alcohol consumption in the US!!!!!!!!! Annual Sales of alcohol average out to roughly 2.3 gallons of absolute alcohol per person

Absorption and Metabolism 20% rapidly absorbed into bloodstream 75 % through upper part of the small intestine and the rest enters further along in the intestinal tract. Metabolism of alcohol is in the liver. 2-10% is not metabolized but is excreted through the sweat glands, lungs and kidneys.

Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption Strength of the beverage Number of drinks consumed Speed of consumption What you are mixing it with Presence of food in stomach Body Size The following factors affect how quickly alcohol will be absorbed into the bloodstream. Strength of the drink: the stronger the drink, the greater the amount of alcohol will be released into the bloodstream. Number of drinks: more drinks consumed equate to more alcohol being released Speed of consumption: the faster you drink, the quicker alcohol is released. Presence of food: the amount or type of food can slow down absorption. Foods high in fat and protein will slow down alcohol compared to carbohydrates. Regardless, having food in your stomach is better than no food at all when trying to reduce alcohol in the bloodstream. Body chemistry: Physiological basis for one’s metabolic rate will determine how fast alcohol is broken down or released into the bloodstream. Also, emotional status can affect how quickly alcohol is metabolized. Gender: Women lack the ability to break down alcohol compared to men due to the lack of the stomach enzyme called dehydrogenase. As a result, women could absorb about 30% or more alcohol into their system, despite all other factors being equal with men (body fat%, weight, size, amount of drinks, etc)

Blood Alcohol Concentration Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) rises when alcohol is consumed at a faster rate than what the liver can remove (via oxidation). Most people need two hours to metabolize one drink. Oxidation is a constant variable and cannot be changed or altered due to certain pills, food, or concoctions. The concept of time is the only way to create the term “sobriety”. Blood alcohol concentrations can be measured by an analysis of exhaled air or by a blood sample.

Possible consequences of frequent alcohol use

Normal healthy liver Liver with cirrhosis

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult Damage results in mental retardation Other characteristics are low birth weight, facial abnormalities, widely spaced eyes, and a much smaller head. Full expression rate: 1-3 out of 1000 births Partial expression rate: 3-9/100 births Scientific evidence shows that alcohol use by pregnant women can result in birth defects in unborn children. When alcohol enters the placenta, it enters the fetal bloodstream in a concentration equal to that in the mother’s bloodstream. Unfortunately, the fetal liver is underdeveloped and oxidizes the alcohol much more slower than the mother, which allows overexposure to the toxic effects. Mental retardation is a probable result. Other characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are listed. Is there a safe limit to the amount of drinks a pregnant mother can have? The answer is unknown so the best advice would be not to drink at all.

FAS

Alcoholism- different patterns Regular daily intake of large amounts Regular heavy drinking limited to weekends Long periods of sobriety interspersed with periods of binge drinking lasting weeks or months Heavy drinking limited to periods of stress