Alcohol Unit

Alcohol 12 oz Beer = 5 oz Wine = 1.5 oz Liquor BrainPop-Alcohol 1 drink/1 serving: 12 oz Beer = 5 oz Wine = 1.5 oz Liquor BrainPop-Alcohol http://www.brainpop.com/health/nutrition/alcohol/

Short-term Effects: Brain *Brain handout Alcohol reaches the brain almost as soon as it is consumed (NOT digested first) Slows the nervous system down (depressant drug) Disorganizes thought process Memory & concentration dulled

Video Clip Alcohol & The Brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjANz9r5F0

*Skip to BAC and Laws Brain Article

Blood Vessels Alcohol in blood causes blood vessels to dialate (widen) More blood flow to skin = flushed and feel warm Actually loses heat by radiation (heat moves from warm skin to cooler surrounding air) Core body temperature decreases

Short-term Effects: Kidneys Produce more urine to try to flush out alcohol Feel dehydrated after heavy drinking

Short-term Effects- Stomach Alcohol is NOT digested - simply absorbed into bloodstream Food will NOT keep a person from intoxication Food will only slow the absorption rate, but alcohol still gets into bloodstream Alcohol increases gastric juice production (contains acid) - could lead to ulcers

Short-term Effects- Liver Oxidation: Changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide, and energy Can ONLY oxidize about 1 drink (serving) per hour No way to speed up this process Until liver has had time to oxidize all of the alcohol ingested, it keeps circulating through the bloodstream

Guidelines for More Responsible Drinking Do not consume more than one drink (serving) of alcohol per hour Don’t drink on an empty stomach Drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage Helps with oxidation Helps kidneys produce more urine Helps prevent dehydration Puts more time between drinks

Video Clips I Went to a Party Mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrMrfHfL-GA Simple Plan – “How Could this Happen to Me”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ7oqmikZDQ

Bacchus Maneuver How to help someone who is intoxicated and has passed out (B.A.R.F.): 1.) Raise one arm above the person’s head 2.) Guard their head and roll them gently on their SIDE! 3.) Put other hand under their head/cheek to maintain head tilt and keep airway open. 4.) Check on them often (heart rate, breathing, etc.). Call 911 if irregular. Follow these steps to prevent drowning/choking on their vomit!

Long Term Effects on the Liver Fatty liver: alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to break down fats Excess fat blocks flow of blood in liver resulting in reduced oxygen and cell death Can be reversed when drinking stops

Long Term Effects on the Liver Cirrhosis: scarring of the liver No blood flow in the scarred area b/c there are no blood vessels - liver can not function Symptoms: High blood pressure, abdominal swelling, jaundice Can NOT be reversed

Stages of Liver Damage

Healthy Liver vs. Cirrhosis

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream Many factors affect the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood: Gender --Food in Stomach Metabolism --Weight Amount of Alcohol --Time b/w drinks

LAW Under 21 - Zero Tolerance (BAC over .02 = punishment) 21 and over - .08 BAC is highest level allowed

Alcoholism An addiction to alcohol that involves both physical and psychological dependence on alcohol

3 Stages of Alcoholism 1. Early Stage To relax, relieve stress Leads to necessity to manage stress Begins to become intoxicated regularly Makes excuses and tries to rationalize drinking behavior

3 Stages of Alcoholism 2. Middle Stage Drinker denies or tries to hide the problem Body develops tolerance (more & more of a substance is needed to feel the same effect) Frequently absent from school/work Drinking is central event in person’s life Drinks when alone Drinks first thing in the morning Drinks daily

3 Stages of Alcoholism 3. Late Stage Person becomes aggressive & isolated from friends and family Malnutrition occurs because the drinker consumes alcohol & doesn’t worry about food Body is addicted If they try to quit = withdrawal symptoms

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Referred to as Delirium Tremens Hot/cold flashes Tremors Nightmares Hallucinations Fear of people & animals

Alcoholism NO CURE – only recovery! Once alcoholics take that drink after being sober, they can’t predict with any reliability whether they are going to have a normal or abnormal drinking episode! They no longer control alcohol as most people are able to; it CONTROLS THEM.

Video Clip Above the Influence “Sick”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIU2UXUlFyM