Alcohol Abuse Katherine Eidson

Alcohol can dramatically affect the body’s organs including the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, stomach, kidneys, and lungs. Brain Liver Pancreas Kidneys Stomach Heart Lungs Central Nervous System Next

Effects of Alcohol on the Brain  Depression  Mood and behavior changes  Memory loss  Seizures  Agitation  Slow information relay by neurotransmitters  Drowsiness  Coma  Death Long Term Effects: Reduction in brain cell size and brain mass, which affects motor coordination, temperature regulation, sleep, mood, learning, and memory. Back

Effects of Alcohol on the Heart  Stroke  Change in heartbeat – rapid or irregular  Arrhythmias  High blood pressure  Alcoholic cardiomyopathy – weakening of the heart muscle which causes shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of the legs and feet, and irregular heartbeat.

Effects of Alcohol on the Liver  Alcoholic hepatitis  Inflammation  Cirrhosis The liver is greatly affected by alcohol use, as it filters toxins, including alcohol, out of the body.

Effects of Alcohol on the Pancreas  Abdominal pain  Fever  Diarrhea  Sweating  Nausea and vomiting  Rapid heart rate  Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis may cause diabetes or even death. This is an example of a pancreas affected by alcohol.

Effects of Alcohol on the Stomach Stomach lining irritation -Slowing down or ceasing of the digestive process -Ulcers -Bleeding and the Kidneys -Alcohol is a diuretic and causes the body to lose fluids. -Dehydration -Imbalance of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.)

Effects of Alcohol on the Lungs  Aspiration  Pulmonary Disease  Oxidative Stress  Airway Epithelium

Effects of Alcohol on the Central Nervous System  Toxins affect the memory, reasoning, and judgment.  Slow reaction time in any situation, even if it is dire.  Neuropathy  Affects sleeping patterns  Strong mood swings, depression, anxiety, panic  Inability to do daily activities  Dimentia  Suicide

Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to serious birth defects including:  Prenatal and/or postnatal growth problems  Facial abnormalities  Abnormalities of various systems including the central nervous, cardiac, urogenital, and skeletal systems  Visual and hearing impairments  Fetal alcohol syndrome

State Drinking Laws Tennessee vs. Rhode Island TennesseeRhode Island Minimum drinking age21 years Minimum selling/serving age 18 years Open container lawVehicle passengers may consume alcohol Previously opened containers must be stored in the trunk DUI (Driving under the influence) blood alcohol content (BAC) levels.08 percent BAC levels for harsher penalties.20 percent or more above the legal limit of.08 percent.15 percent or more above the legal limit of.08 percent Length of license suspension after first DUI offense Mandatory one yearUp to 45 days

On Sunday, April 6 th, 2014, at 4:40 a.m. Olivia Culbreath, a 21-year old, was driving under the influence and was going the wrong way on Freeway 60. It was estimated she was driving 100 miles per hour. She struck two vehicles, killing six people, one of whom was her sister. Culbreath had just had her license reinstated the previous week. She was previously arrested for DUI when she was only 17 years old.

Sources Khalil, A. and O’Brien, P., “Alcohol and Pregnancy”, Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Medicine, vol. 20/10, October 2010, pp “Driver Suspected of Causing Fatal Crash Had Previous DUI Conviction”, Los Angeles Times, April 7, effects/centralnervoussystem Song: “Rehab” by, Amy Winehouse