Alcohol

The Science: What is it? Ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Clear, colorless liquid. Clear, colorless liquid. Produced by the fermentation of sugars. Produced by the fermentation of sugars. Intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages. Intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages. What’s it used for? Alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages. Mouth washes and some medications. Mouth washes and some medications. Industrial use: Fluid in thermometers. Fluid in thermometers. Antifreeze and fuel. Antifreeze and fuel. Ingredient in perfumes, paints, lacquer, and explosives. Ingredient in perfumes, paints, lacquer, and explosives.

The History: Forms of beer and wine date back 1,000’s of years. Forms of beer and wine date back 1,000’s of years. Early medical use as anesthetic. Early medical use as anesthetic – 1 st reports of the health risks including addiction – 1 st reports of the health risks including addiction. 1800’s – Temperance Movement – a push to drink in moderation. 1800’s – Temperance Movement – a push to drink in moderation Maine – the first state to prohibit sale of alcohol Maine – the first state to prohibit sale of alcohol. Prohibition – Prohibition – Regulation of alcohol by the states. Regulation of alcohol by the states.

How Alcohol affects the body’s systems: Nervous system: CNS depressant – depending on dosage: CNS depressant – depending on dosage: 1. Suppression of brain’s inhibitory system. 2. Intoxication- causes mental and physical impairment – short and long term. 3. General anesthetic- numbs the portion of the brain that controls heart rate and breathing. Brain

BAC – Blood Alcohol Concentration Binge drinking periodic excessive drinking. periodic excessive drinking. 4-5 drinks in a row. 4-5 drinks in a row. Alcohol poisoning toxic/deadly levels of alcohol. toxic/deadly levels of alcohol. brains ability to control heart rate and breathing stops. brains ability to control heart rate and breathing stops.

Factors influencing how alcohol affects you: Amount of intake Amount of intake Rate of intake Rate of intake Body weight Body weight Age and gender Age and gender Previous exposure Previous exposure Presence of other drugs Presence of other drugs Presence of food in the stomach Presence of food in the stomach Concentration or proof Concentration or proof Mood and setting Mood and setting Only time will cause a person to be sober. Only time will cause a person to be sober. Oxidation- breakdown of alcohol into carbon dioxide and water. Oxidation- breakdown of alcohol into carbon dioxide and water. Constant rate of one serving per hour. Constant rate of one serving per hour.

How Alcohol affects the body’s systems: continued Digestive system : Stomach- irritation of lining. Stomach- irritation of lining. Small intestine- majority of absorption. Small intestine- majority of absorption. Liver- cirrhosis or scarring, cells and tissues are destroyed, blood flow is restricted or cut off. Liver- cirrhosis or scarring, cells and tissues are destroyed, blood flow is restricted or cut off.