Alcohol A depressant drug found in wine, beer, and liquor. It can change the physical and emotional state.

Alcohol Effects on Body Irritation of mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. Nausea and vomiting Blood vessels dilate so heart works harder Lose body heat making the person feel warm and look flushed Makes liver work harder (can only break down 1 drink per hour) Can cause dehydration

Functioning Levels of the Brain 1. Intellectual Function Reasoning Standards Morals This keeps you from saying or doing the right things. Alcohol makes you less inhibited.

2. Emotional Function Emotions are in charge Laugh uncontrollably (cry, angry, act wild) Intellect controls emotion but not the intellect is depressed.

3. Motor Function Balance impaired Judgment impaired Alcohol has depressed the part of the brain that controls motor skills

4. Semi-voluntary Function We can consciously control these functions but so can the body. Alcohol depresses the body’s ability to control them. Swallow – drooling Blink – red eyes

5. Involuntary Functions These are functions that the body controls. Once alcohol has effected this level, the body is not capable of controlling these. Digestion Libido

6. Vital Functions Death will occur if these functions are depressed A period of unconsciousness or coma will occur as a body’s response. Respiratory Cardio

Short Term Effects Nausea Poor vision Vomiting Memory loss Dehydration Loss of judgment and self-control Reduced reaction time Poor vision Memory loss Blackout Coma Death

Long Term Effects Brain: shrunken brain, dead brain cells Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach: bleeding, cancer Heart: Irregular heart beat, enlargement , anemia Immune System: diminished function Liver: Hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer Small Intestine: decreased ability to absorb vitamins

Alcohol Terms Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)-concentration of alcohol in a person’s blood. BAC of 0.08 – a person is legally impaired BAC of 0.02 – under 21 Binge Drinking-drinking 5 or more drinks in one sitting Alcohol Poisoning-8 or more in an hour causes areas of the brain that control breathing and heart rate to become dangerously depressed

Alcoholism A disease that causes a person to lose control of their drinking behavior. Physically and emotionally addicted to alcohol. Suffer physical symptoms when they do not have alcohol. Develops over time but no one knows exactly how long of time. Everyone is different. Develops in stages.

Stages Leading to Alcoholism Problem Drinking- drinker cannot drink alcohol in moderation or at appropriate times. Tolerance- Drinker needs more alcohol to produce the same effect. Dependence- Drinker’s body needs alcohol to function normally. Alcoholism- Drinker has lost control of his drinking behavior.

Risk Factors for Alcoholism AGE-Teens that begin drinking early are more likely to develop alcoholism SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT-Hanging out with friends that drink may influence a person to drink. GENETICS-Alcoholism tends to run in families RISK-TAKING PERSONALITY-People that are impulsive are at greater risk for alcoholism

Warning Signs of Alcoholism Drinking to deal with anger, frustration, disappointment Changing friends, personal habits, interests Being defensive about drinking Feeling depressed Drinking more for the same high Drinking alone Drinking to get drunk Experiencing memory lapses as a result of drinking alcohol

Alcoholism Affects the Family Guilty feelings Unpredictable behavior Violence Neglect and isolation Protecting the alcoholic Ignoring one’s own needs

Alcohol and Pregnancy Heavy drinking during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Children with FAS have various physical deformities and mental retardation. FAS is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation

Alcoholism Affects Society ACCIDENTS THAT KILL MURDER FAMILY VIOLENCE, ABUSE, RAPE MORE SICKNESS (like tobacco) TREATING ALCOHOL ABUSE

Alcoholism Treatment Alcoholism is as disease that can be treated Hardest part is overcoming withdrawal from alcohol: extreme nervousness, headaches, chills, nausea, seizures, uncontrollable shakes. Inpatient; outpatient treatments AA involves 12 step recovery Al-Anon and Alateen- programs providing treatment and support to the families of alcoholics

Teens and Alcohol No. 1 cause of death among teens is motor vehicle accidents; most of which are alcohol related. All driving skills are impaired by alcohol Slows reaction time Affects your vision Makes you drowsy Reduces your coordination Affects your judgment

Teens and Alcohol The law: illegal to drink under age 21 Get home safe and sober: Don’t drink Plan ahead; DD Parent’s pick-up Call a cab

Myths & Facts about Alcohol… You cant get as drunk from beer, wine or wine coolers as you can from “hard liquor” like vodka and scotch A bottle of beer, glass of wine, & a wine cooler all have around the same amount of alcohol as a shot of “hard liquor”. There for they are just as intoxicating. Alcohol cant be as dangerous as illicit drugs because it is easily available to people over the age of 21. Not everyone show the effects of alcohol in the same way. Even people who seem completely sober are dangerous drivers if they have been drinking A person who looks and acts sober is sober Even though alcohol is a legal drug for Americans over 21, when it is abused it is just as dangerous as many illicit drugs

Your Future at Risk Drinking and Jail Drinking and Sexual Activity Drinking and Driving Drinking and Teen Brains