Chapter 9 Alcohol Acute effects Mechanisms of action Long-term effects

Chemical structures of three commonly used forms of alcohol (Ethanol)

Alcohol content

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC): BAC: 0.04% 0.08% 0.35% 0.50% Factors influencing absorption:

Blood levels of alcohol after oral administration

Why is there are a difference between the effect of alcohol on men and women?

Metabolism of alcohol Another enzyme: P450 liver enzyemes Drug disposition toleranceCross tolerance

9.11 The effects of chronic alcohol use on the liver cirrhosis

Immediate Physiological Effects -Increases blood circulation to the skin -Decreases heart rate -Depresses REM sleep -Increased urination -Slurred speech -Alcohol poisoning

Immediate Psychological Effects -Reduces anxiety -Impairs judgment -Memory deficits (blackouts) -Perceptual changes -Decreases visual abilities -Decreases reaction time -Decreases eye-hand coordination

Physical dependence Common symptoms Delirium tremens

Box 9.1 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Part 1) teratogen

Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Use mortality stats –What kills the heavy drinkers? –Why low among moderates? May help prevent dementia (moderate doses)

9.13 Alcohol’s effects on neuronal membranes

Effects of long-term use (abuse) -Enzyme changes -P450 liver enzyme -Alcohol dehydrogenase -Pharmacodynamic tolerance -Sexual dysfunction

-Cognitive impairments -reasoning ability, problem solving -inability to shift attention to a new task -memory -Korsakoff's syndrome - Confabulation Effects of long-term use (abuse)

9.18 A wide variety of individuals are alcoholics

Alcoholism What is alcoholism? Disease model –Genetics –Environment

At risk for alcohol-related problems: Men: 5 or more standard drinks in a day (or 15 or more per week) Women: 4 or more standard drinks in a day (or 8 or more per week) Some statistics for alcohol: Among heavy drinkers, 1 in 4 has alcohol abuse or dependence. About 3 in 10 adults drink at levels that elevate health risks. All heavy drinkers have a greater risk of: –hypertension –gastrointestinal bleeding –sleep disorders –major depression –stroke –cirrhosis of the liver –Several cancers

9.19 Three-factor vulnerability model

Treatment for alcoholism Denial factor Detoxification Program types Drug treatments –Antabuse –Naltrexone