CH: 23 Alcohol “The World’s Oldest Drug” Health Ed.

FACTS Over 4 million teenagers in the US are alcoholics 1 out of 8 children has an alcoholic parent In 1990, alcoholism cost the US over $136 billion dollars Alcohol is a factor in 70% of murders

How is alcohol made? Fermentation- chemical process that produces alcohol through the action of yeast and sugars Sugar differ depending on the drink Beer- malted barley Wine- berries Whisky- rye/corn

Drinks Drinks are part water/ part alcohol for example: wine is 12% to 20% alcohol

How does alcohol flow through the body? 1- mouth 2-stomach- 20% alcohol passes directly into the blood stream 3-Small Intestine 4-Heart 5-Brain 6-Liver-oxidizes alcohol

The liver oxidizes alcohol at the rate .5oz per hour Oxidation- changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide, and energy

Long-term effects…. Tolerance- you have to drink more in order to produce the same effects Dependence- psychologically dependent on alcohol ; the body develops a need for alcohol (person continues to drink in order not to experience withdrawal symptoms)

Liver Problems Alcohol interferes with bodies ability to break down fats; fats build up in the liver and cause a condition known as “fatty liver” (condition is reversible) Cirrhosis=means scaring: no blood is flowing to tissue (causes jaundice, hemorrhage, high blood pressure)

Brain Damage People have been hospitalized in mental intuitions for brain damage caused by drinking: Damages the frontal lobes of the brain Causes overall reduction in brain size in the size of the ventricles

CH: 22/ lesson 2 “Alcohol: A Mental and Social Problem” Health Ed.

Why do people drink? To escape pressure/problems To fit in To impress others To gain confidence

Why people choose not to drink? Millions of youth don’t drink they “Don’t need it” Other reasons: It makes them sick It is fattening It cost too much They hate the taste Illegal

Alcohol and Advertising All ads include people who are: Attractive Fit Problem-free Party-like atmosphere In an otherwise healthy environment

Is it effective? Companies spend over $ 1 billion per year on advertising It is rare to see a sporting event that is not sponsored by a liquor company T-shirts Sticker logos

CH: 23 Lesson 3 “Alcohol: A serious problem” Health Ed.

Serious Problems Fetal Alcohol syndrome Drinking/driving Alcoholism

“FAS” Leading cause of mental retardation in the United States Unborn babies can’t get rid of alcohol like adults can ~In 1988 Surgeon General issued that “women should not drink during pregnancy because of the risk involved~

Legal Limits Drunk driving #1 cause of death for 15 to 19. Average fine for DUI is more than 500$ Legal limit is .08 DWI (driving while intoxicated) DUI (driving under influence) *same thing*

“BAC” “Blood alcohol concentration”: depends on Gender Persons metabolism Amount of alcohol What they ate that day How much that person weighs

Alcoholism Physical/Psychological addiction to alcohol They can’t keep from drinking They can’t stop once they have started

3 stages 1- social drinking, begins to be a way to manage stress 2-person reaches point where they can’t stop drinking 3-person becomes aggressive/isolated from their friends/family, experience withdrawal

Withdrawal Called Delirium Tremens (DTs) Hot/cold flashes Nightmares Fear of people/animals

Cited text http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/alco.html