CHAPTER 22 ALCOHOL

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages Produced both naturally and synthetically through fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains Fermentation is the chemical action of yeast on sugars Ethanol is mixed with other additives to create different tasting beverages

BRIEF HISTORY OF ALCOHOL Unknown who first invented alcohol… several civilizations were fermenting different fruits/vegetables/grains thousands of years ago In 1920s the United States banned manufacture and sale of alcohol (Prohibition) In 1980, President Reagan enacted a law to raise the legal age to drink to 21 as an effort to decrease a growing epidemic of drunken driving

HOW IT WORKS Once alcohol enters the stomach, it begins to diffuse into the bloodstream Most diffusion takes place in the small and large intestines Once in your system, alcohol causes neurotransmitters and receptors in your brain to work slower than normal Delayed signals

HOW YOUR BODY GETS RID OF IT Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes; Liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the bloodstream. About 1 drink per 60 minutes The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed. Binge Drinking > consumption of 4-5 drinks in a span of 2 hours of less

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Alcohol is a depressant, a drug that slows the central nervous system Quickly affects your body by slowing: Motor skills Reaction time Impaired vision and judgment Can quickly lead to dizziness, nausea and vomiting Intoxication is the state in which your body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced

ALCOHOL POISONING Frequently, binge drinking leads to a serious condition called alcohol poisoning Alcohol Poisoning- a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose Unconsciousness or even coma Slowed breathing Low body temperature Vomiting Emergency Room Stomach is emptied through a pump that is fed down the esophagus

It is illegal to possess, buy, or consume alcohol under the age of 21 Fines, probation, loss of license, jail Leads to high risk situations involving violence and sexual activity More likely to become a victim or perpetrator 25% of youths are exposed to alcohol abuse; the excessive use of alcohol Can lead to drinking at young ages, which increases risk for developing dependence on alcohol by 4 times 15,000,000 people in US abuse or overuse alcohol FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE In 2007, 23,436 DUI arrests were made in Indiana 261 people were killed in car accidents where at least 1 driver had a BAC of 0.01% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) - is the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as % Legal limit is.08% for 21 and older Only.02% if under ounces of beer 5-ounces of wine 1.5-ounce “shot” of liquor

Alcohol and other medications/drugs do not mix well May slow down a drug’s absorption Increases amount of time alcohol or drug is in the body Can change some medications into other chemicals which can amplify or change their effect Antihistamines (colds/allergies) and alcohol can cause excessive dizziness or sleepiness ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

LONG TERM EFFECTS Addiction – inability to stop drinking Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Brain Damage - Loss of brain cells Cancer – In general, alcohol use increases risk of certain types of cancer Fatty liver - excessive fat builds up on liver reduced blood flow and cell loss Cirrhosis of liver- liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, blocking normal blood flow Stomach ulcers -damaged lining in digestive system

CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER Irreversible scar tissue Lack of blood flow to liver Slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins Can be treated and controlled Cannot live without a healthy liver Transplant if bad enough Top 15 causes of death in U.S.

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME When a pregnant female drinks, in essence, so does her fetus Fetus liver is unable to process alcohol Drinking during first few weeks of pregnancy when women may not know pregnant, drinking can be extremely harmful to baby’s CNS Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - a group of alcohol related birth defects that include physical and mental problems

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME Death Abnormal facial features, growth problems, CNS problems Heart, liver, and kidney defects are common Difficulty learning, remembering, attention span and problem solving These effects are non reversible!

ALCOHOLISM Alcoholism - a disease in which a person has a strong physical or psychological dependence on alcohol No longer drink to become drunk…drink to feel normal Alcoholic - an addict who is dependent on alcohol Stages of Alcoholism Abuse Dependence Addiction

EFFECTS ON FAMILY AND SOCIETY 40% of violent crimes, 3,000,000 annually, are alcohol-related 66% of victims of domestic violence report alcohol was a factor in the crime

GETTING HELP National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service HELP Provides information on local sources of help Indianapolis Alcoholics Anonymous Fairbanks Recovery Center