1. Alcohol and You
A Legal Drug

2. ALCOHOL Drug produced by a chemical reaction in fruits,
vegetables and grains
Depressant-slows down the working
of the brain and other parts of
the nervous system
17 million Americans impacted each year
Physical, social and psychological problems related to alcohol
95,000 people die each year from alcohol related deaths

3. Short Term Effects of Alcohol on Body
Short term effects are those that occur within minutes of drinking
Increased heart rate
Liver function becomes unbalanced
Liver changes alcohol into water & carbon
dioxide
Carbon dioxide released thru lungs
Water passes through body in form of urine,
perspiration, breath vapor
3. Widened blood vessels-creates feeling of warmth (false)
4. Vomiting-which can lead to choking and death

4. Long Term Effects of Alcohol
Brain
Destroys millions of brain cells
Cannot be repaired or replaced
Liver
Liver damage
Cirrhosis-scarring and destruction
of liver tissue
Heart
Contributes high blood pressure
Damage heart muscle
Can cause heart failure
Stomach
Increases gastric juices
Irritates stomach
Can cause ulcers