1. Alcohol Use Chapter Eight: Taking control of alcohol use
The most recent information is showing national data indicating alcohol consumption per capita has gradually dropped in the United States since the early 1980’s. Alcohol still does remain the preferred form of drug use for most adults (including college students).
There are many reasons why people choose to drink but regardless of these reasons, it still does alter brain chemistry by depressing the central nervous system, resulting in inhibitions(inner controls that prevent a person from engaging in certain types of behavior) being reduced which results in different versions of personalities coming out of check.

2. 12 oz. can = 12 oz bottle = 4-5 ozs. Wine = 1 oz. Liquor
These all contain the same amount of alcohol.
Which one has the highest alcohol concentration? Lowest?

3. Alcohol Use Patterns in the USA
1/3 are abstainers
2/3 are drinkers
10% of the drinking population is considered heavy drinkers- they are responsible for 50% of all alcohol consumption in the US!!!!!!!!!

4. Absorption 20% rapidly absorbed into bloodstream
75 % through upper part of the small intestine and the rest enters further along in the intestinal tract.
2-10% is not metabolized but is excreted through the sweat glands, lungs and kidneys.

5. Metabolism Alcohol is metabolized (processed) in the liver.
It take about 1 hour to process 1 drink.

6. Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption
Strength of the beverage
Number of drinks consumed
Speed of consumption
What you are mixing it with
Presence of food in stomach
Body Size
The following factors affect how quickly alcohol will be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Strength of the drink: the stronger the drink, the greater the amount of alcohol will be released into the bloodstream.
Number of drinks: more drinks consumed equate to more alcohol being released
Speed of consumption: the faster you drink, the quicker alcohol is released.
Presence of food: the amount or type of food can slow down absorption. Foods high in fat and protein will slow down alcohol compared to carbohydrates. Regardless, having food in your stomach is better than no food at all when trying to reduce alcohol in the bloodstream.
Body chemistry: Physiological basis for one’s metabolic rate will determine how fast alcohol is broken down or released into the bloodstream. Also, emotional status can affect how quickly alcohol is metabolized.
Gender: Women lack the ability to break down alcohol compared to men due to the lack of the stomach enzyme called dehydrogenase. As a result, women could absorb about 30% or more alcohol into their system, despite all other factors being equal with men (body fat%, weight, size, amount of drinks, etc)

7. Blood Alcohol Concentration
Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood
Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample
.08 is the legal limit for driving in WA.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) rises when alcohol is consumed at a faster rate than what the liver can remove (via oxidation). Most people need two hours to metabolize one drink.
Oxidation is a constant variable and cannot be changed or altered due to certain pills, food, or concoctions. The concept of time is the only way to create the term “sobriety”.
Blood alcohol concentrations can be measured by an analysis of exhaled air or by a blood sample.

8. Possible consequences of frequent alcohol use

12. Normal healthy liver
Liver with cirrhosis

13. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult.
Damage results in mental disabilities.
Other characteristics are low birth weight, facial abnormalities, widely spaced eyes, and a much smaller head.
Scientific evidence shows that alcohol use by pregnant women can result in birth defects in unborn children. When alcohol enters the placenta, it enters the fetal bloodstream in a concentration equal to that in the mother’s bloodstream. Unfortunately, the fetal liver is underdeveloped and oxidizes the alcohol much more slower than the mother, which allows overexposure to the toxic effects. Mental retardation is a probable result.
Other characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are listed.
Is there a safe limit to the amount of drinks a pregnant mother can have? The answer is unknown so the best advice would be not to drink at all.