Health Risks of Alcohol Use

Alcohol Pre-Test False1. Beer is “weaker” than rum or vodka. False2. Alcohol is digested the same way food is digested in the body. False3. Because alcohol is a stimulant, it tends to pep you up. True4. The liver is the organ responsible for “burning up” the alcohol in the body. False5. The body can eliminate about 5 ounces of alcohol per hour. False6. BAC or BAL refers to the amount of calories in an alcoholic beverage. False7. Black coffee and a cold shower can help to sober you up. True8. It is possible to die from an overdose of alcohol. True9. Alcohol does the greatest damage to the liver, brain, and heart. True10. Alcohol is high in calories and has no nutritional value.

Getting the Facts The legal drinking age throughout the United States is 21. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, almost 80% of high school students have tried alcohol. What Is Alcohol? Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is a process that uses yeast or bacteria to change the sugars in the food into alcohol. Fermentation is used to produce many necessary items — everything from cheese to medications. Alcohol has different forms and can be used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative. Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. It is a powerful and addictive drug.

What ’ s In a Drink? Ingredients: Beer: 3-8% of alcohol, plus fermentation of cereal grains plus malt. Hops may be added for flavor. Wine: 8-14% of alcohol, plus fermentation of grapes or other fruit. Hard Liquor: 40-50% of alcohol, plus distillation of a fermented brew of grain, fruit, or molasses. _______________________________________________________________________ Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatility of components in a boiling mixture. Hops are what give beer much of its bitterness and aroma, act as a preservative, and help in head retention.

PROOF IT! Proof indicates the concentration of alcohol in a beverage. The amount of alcohol is determined by dividing the proof number in half. The higher the proof, the stronger the alcohol. Proof _______________% _______________ 100% Alcohol Proof : 50 Proof: 86 43% Alcohol Proof: 26 13% Alcohol 6% Alcohol Proof: 12 50% Alcohol Proof: 100 Proof: 56 28% Alcohol

Factors that Influence Alcohol’s Effects Body Size Gender Rate of intake Amount Food Medicine

Alcohol and Drug Interactions Alcohol can change the effect of medicines. These interactions can lead to illness or death. Independent drug reactions- occur when drugs taken together work independently of each other (anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer) Antagonistic drug reactions- occur when one drug interferes with the action of another, causing neutralization or a decrease in the effect of one drug This interaction can be seen in the equation 1+1=0 or 1+1=1 (an antacid may block the effects of an antibiotic; birth control may block the effects of antibiotics) Additive drug reactions- occurs when the combined effect of two drugs is equal to the sum of each drug given alone. This interaction can be seen in the equation 1+1=2 (heparin and alcohol) Synergistic drug reactions- occurs when drugs interact with each other and produce an effect that is greater than the sum of their separate actions This interaction can be seen in the equation 1+1=3 (hypnotic and alcohol-When alcohol is taken simultaneously or shortly before or after the hypnotic is taken, the action of the hypnotic increases)

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing. In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication. 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.

Depending on how much is taken and the physical condition of the individual, alcohol can cause: Slurred speech Drowsiness Vomiting Diarrhea Upset stomach Headaches Breathing difficulties Distorted vision and hearing Impaired judgment Decreased perception and coordination Unconsciousness Anemia (loss of red blood cells) Coma Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence) Short Term Effects of Alcohol

Binge drinking and continued alcohol use in large amounts are associated with many health problems, including: Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity Increased family problems, broken relationships Alcohol poisoning High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases Liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver Nerve damage Sexual problems Permanent damage to the brain Vitamin B 1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by amnesia, apathy and disorientation Ulcers Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls) Malnutrition Cancer of the mouth and throat Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

Binge drinking used to mean drinking heavily over several days. Now, the term refers to the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. Today the definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men — or four or more drinks in a row by women — at least once in the previous 2 weeks. Heavy binge drinking includes three or more such episodes in 2 weeks. Alcohol poisoning is when the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, unconsciousness, and even death may result.