Alcohol & the Human Body

Term to know… B.A.C. = blood alcohol concentration

Different components of the brain show different sensitivities to alcohol

Notice how behavior corresponds with a BAC

BAC: Frontal lobe of Cerebrum is the 1 st to be affected Yellow portion affected

BAC = Involved in decision-making – controls inhibitions (sexual behavior) Involved in decision-making – controls inhibitions (sexual behavior) more confident yet actually shows poorer judgment more confident yet actually shows poorer judgment Likely to be more talkative and laughing more than usual Likely to be more talkative and laughing more than usual

BAC: Back of the Cerebrum BAC: Back of the Cerebrum Blue color is still affected, yellow is currently affected as well

BAC = Affects speech and vision Affects speech and vision Senses are distorted Senses are distorted Has trouble choosing appropriate words Has trouble choosing appropriate words Speech slurring Speech slurring Even though person is loosing control, they feel content and even euphoric Even though person is loosing control, they feel content and even euphoric

BAC: Affects Cerebellum Blue color is still affected, yellow is currently affected as well

BAC = Motor coordination and vision deteriorating Motor coordination and vision deteriorating Person is staggering Person is staggering Getting drowsy Getting drowsy Most social drinkers stop automatically at this point because they don’t like feeling bad Most social drinkers stop automatically at this point because they don’t like feeling bad

BAC: Affects mid- brain and spinal reflexes

BAC = may not be able to recall events, fall into a stupor –leading to coma may not be able to recall events, fall into a stupor –leading to coma Difficult to maintain body temperature Difficult to maintain body temperature Reflex reactions slowed Reflex reactions slowed Easily angered, may shout, groan or cry inappropriately Easily angered, may shout, groan or cry inappropriately

BAC:.40 and above Affects medulla oblongata

BAC =.40 and above Paralysis Paralysis Irregular heartbeat Irregular heartbeat Slow respiration Slow respiration Often means death Often means death

What is a "Drink?" It's not how many "drinks" that you have, but how much alcohol that you consume. A "drink" is normally defined as: One 12 oz. beer One shot of 80 Proof liquor or One 4-5 oz glass of wine.

Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency PASSING OUT DOESN'T MEAN SLEEPING IT OFF How You Can Tell Unconscious or semi-consciousness. Unconscious or semi-consciousness. Slow respiration (breaths) of eight or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds. Slow respiration (breaths) of eight or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds. Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin. Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.

Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol. While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive. In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol. While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive.

Ethanol Small molecule made up of only carbon, oxygen and hydrogen! Small molecule made up of only carbon, oxygen and hydrogen! High energy!!! 7.5 calories/gram High energy!!! 7.5 calories/gram Similar to glucose C 6 H 12 O 6 Similar to glucose C 6 H 12 O 6 4 calories/ gram 4 calories/ gram

Made of the same elements, Ethanol is much smaller than glucose Made of the same elements, Ethanol is much smaller than glucose If glucose can diffuse into cells, can ethanol???? If glucose can diffuse into cells, can ethanol???? YES – it easily crosses cell membranes and disturbs the structure YES – it easily crosses cell membranes and disturbs the structure

Alcohol destroys membrane ability to regulate what comes in and out of cell

Effect is reversible, but we are not sure how many times it can change back and forth before permanent changes occur!!! Effect is reversible, but we are not sure how many times it can change back and forth before permanent changes occur!!!

Most drugs act through neurons and receptors with specific target sites Alcohol has non specific action and diffuses into all cells – not just affecting receptors! Since alcohol affects cell membranes, and the entire body is made up of cells – alcohol affects the ENTIRE BODY