ALCOHOL

Bill Cosby talking about alcohol 

TYPES OF ALCOHOL  ETHYL ALCOHOL –  alcohol that is formed by fermentation of fruits, juices, or cereal grains.  Known as grain alcohol.  Very toxic in large amounts  Found in alcoholic beverages

 METHYL ALCOHOL – Wood alcohol  Very toxic  Can be found in products such as paint thinner, and shellac  Can be destructive to the eyes, leads to blindness

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)  Expressed as a percent and is the ratio of alcohol in a persons blood to the person’s total amount of blood in the body  Can be measured through urine, breath and blood samples  The legal standard of intoxication in most states is.08 to.1 BAC

LEVELS OF BLOOD ALCOHOL  – DWI (Driving While Impaired/Intoxicated .08 – Illegal to drive in MN and many other states (DUI) Driving under the Influence .15 – Visibly Intoxicated (slurred speech, impaired motor skills) .30 – Coma or Death

If alcohol is a depressant why does it make me so jumpy and happy? At low concentrations alcohol actually stimulates certain areas of the Brain. This makes the brain more receptive to Glutamate. Also when most people drink they are put into a stimulating Atmosphere… bar, club, party Tests have shown that in these Atmospheres people act accordingly, even before chemicals Effect their brain A side effect due to metabolism in the brain causes people to Become more animated in speech and movement

ALCOHOL THROUGH THE BODY  Consumption of alcohol  Through the esophagus into the stomach  Stomach absorbs some alcohol and enters into the blood stream  Remainder travels to the small intestines  Most alcohol is absorbed here  Remainder of alcohol travels to the liver and brain  Alcohol begins to effect the central nervous system  Coordination, reaction time, and judgment are effected  Heart and breathing rates slow down  If drinking continues, poisoning may occur Alcohol is a depressant

Alcohol (Ethanol) is quickly absorbed into the blood stream where It travels to the brain. Alcohol quickly travels past the blood Brain barrier Effects the GABA system. This system is a series of Neurotransmitters That open ion channels into your brain cells. Controls the amount of either positively or negatively charged ions to enter into your brain. In drinking's case, extra negatively charged ions enter into the brain Slowing down it’s functions

Enzymes in the liver break down the alcohol and convert them Acetate. (Acids) The acetate is then turned into either fats, Carbon Dioxide, and/or water The fats are mostly deposited locally, causing a Beer Belly Chronic drinkers over work the liver causing plaque buildup in the Capillaries around liver cells… which begin to die off This leads to Cirrhosis, damaging your bodies filtration system

Consumption of alcohol has a rapid diuretic effect. This means That more urine than usual is produced… (extra antidiuretic hormone) Drinker’s rarely replace this loss with cups of H2o leading to dehydration Hangovers are mostly attributed to dehydration. Though there Are other various other chemicals in drinks that attribute to your Pain.

MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES  Cirrhosis – scarring of the liver  Gastrointestinal Problems – stomach  Acute/Chronic Pancreatitis – abdominal pain (pancreas)  Wernicke’s Disease – areas of the brain are destroyed  Osteoporosis – alcohol increases bone fractures  Cardiomyopathy – damages the heart  Ischemic Heart Disease – deficient blood circulation  Atherosclerosis – fatty build-ups causing heart attack or stroke  Cancer

ALCOHOL & PREGNANCY  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)  Severe birth defects  Mental retardation  Abnormal growth, weight, length  Abnormal brain functioning  Behavioral and intellectual impairment  Small head, small eyes, thin upper lip, short nose, flattened mid-facial area

ALCOHOLISM  What is Alcoholism?  Disease  Someone who goes through with drawl without alcohol  Is dependent on alcohol

WARNING SIGNS  Blackouts  Loss of control (abuse, behavior, drink more than intended)  Family problems due to drinking  Strong desire to drink (pre-parties)  Stealing money

STAGES OF ALCOHOLISM  EARLY  Drink too much  Blackouts  MIDDLE  Blackouts more frequent  Decline in work performance  Unsuccessful attempts to quit  LATE  Family life disrupted  Loss of responsibility  No control over drinking

TREATMENT  AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)  Counselors  Teachers  Alcoholic Teens