1. = organic compounds with a hydroxyl (-OH) group
Alcohol
= organic compounds with a hydroxyl (-OH) group

2. Used as solvents, found in antifreeze, perfumes, fuels, hairspray, medications, etc.
All can be toxic to humans
Some in small amounts, others in large amounts

3. Alcohol in the Body
Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) – depressant = slows heart rate, brain activity, and causes drowsiness
Absorbed to blood thru stomach / small intestine
As alcohol concentration , response to stimuli

4. Initially, very happy b/c part of brain that controls inhibitions is depressed
More alcohol, less coordination, more confusion
Part of brain for learning and memory - affected

5. Liver – alcohol broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
Becomes acetaldehyde  CO2 and H2O (90%)
Remaining 10% excreted (breath, sweat, urine)
Metabolizes 1-2 drinks/hour
If more, excess alcohol goes to tissues

6. Blood Alcohol Concentrations/ Levels of Intoxication
0.08 BAC = 8 g alcohol per 10,000 mL blood
Behavior:
– normal
– euphoria (talkative, confident, less inhibited); loss of motor skills
– blurry vision, loss of balance & coordination; sleepy

7. – slurred speech, dizzy, disoriented; very emotional & confused; ++ increased tolerance for pain & affected resp system
– difficulty in walking and standing; vomit; lose control of bladder
– impaired resp and circ systems; difficulty breathing; temperature drop; coma; die
potentially fatal

8. Factors
Weight, amount consumed, time frame, food in stomach, how often person drinks
Alcohol attracted to water  will collect in body tissues with more water
Body fat does not contain much water, so does not absorb much alcohol
So, more alcohol in blood

9. Food in stomach slows absorption  pyloric sphincter closes
Carbonation speeds absorption
20% absorbed thru stomach walls
80% absorbed thru small intestine walls
Medications with sedative effects enhance alcohol’s effect
Alcohol may decrease effectiveness of meds

10. Tolerance
= Body’s need for progressively larger amounts of a chemical to cause the same level of intoxication
2 types:
Metabolic tolerance – more EtOH, more ADH  speeds elimination and lowers BAC – serious liver damage
Functional tolerance – display fewer symptoms of intoxication, no effect on BAC or impairment

11. Alcohol and the Law 0.08+ BAC = DUI = illegal
If driver refuses breath or blood sample, lose license for 6 months – year
1966 – Schmerber v. California – blood sample tested w/o consent – said it violates 5th Amendment right
US Supreme Court – did not – 5th Amend. for testimonial evidence, not physical

12. Determining Alcohol Levels
Quickly – presumptive field tests
Field Sobriety Tests:
Odor of alcohol
Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test – more pronounced involuntary jerking motions of eyes; small light moved slowly side to side, follow with eyes
Divided attention tests – backwards ABCs while on one foot; heel to toe walk

13. Alcohol diffuses into alveoli of lungs
Alcohol in breath = 1/2,100 alcohol in blood
(2,100 mL of exhaled air = 1 mL blood)
Breath Tests
Breathalyzer – measures amount of alcohol in exhaled air

14. Blood tests more accurate than urine
GC-MS – separates components, recorded as peak on chromatogram