1. EQ: WHAT IS ALCOHOL and HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOUR BODY?
Name______________
Assig. # ______

2. ALCOHOL
Alcohol is produced through the fermentation of fruits and grains.
Alcohol is a depressant.
The legal drinking age for any person is 21 in the United States.

3. EXAMPLES OF ALCOHOL Alcohol comes in 3 basic forms: BEER WINE
HARD LIQUOR
12 oz. = or 5oz = oz.

4. INTOXICATION
People will be effected differently by alcohol depending on these factors:
Weight
Quantity
Gender
Food
Other drugs present

5. SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Heart beats faster; body temperature drops.
Brain becomes less able to control speech, movement and vision.
Liver cannot function fast enough causing alcohol to enter blood stream resulting in intoxication.
Stomach cannot digest alcohol causing vomiting.

6. LONG TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Blood pressure rises; damages the heart muscle.
Destroys millions of brain cells which DO NOT GROW BACK!!
Causes cirrhosis of the liver which is an irreversible deterioration of the liver resulting in the need for a transplant.
Can cause stomach ulcers.

7. BAC – Blood Alcohol Concentration
BAC is the amount of alcohol in the blood at any given time.
The BAC for legal operation of a vehicle in the United States is .08.
The physical effects of alcohol can be seen, however, with a BAC as low as
Buzzed driving and drunk driving KILL!!

8. UNNECESSARY RISKS
There are several risk factors involved with alcohol use:
Accidents
Suicide
Rape
Unprotected sex leading to STD’s or unwanted pregnancy
FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

9. ALCOHOLISM Alcoholism is a progressive and chronic disease.
Alcoholism is characterized by addiction.
Addiction is a physiological and psychological need for the drug.

10. ALCOHOLISM Physiological Signs of Alcoholism Changes in sleep habits
Feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop
Needing to take more of the drug to feel the same effect (Tolerance)
Changing in eating habits (gaining or losing weight)

11. ALCOHOLISM Psychological signs of alcoholism
Withdrawal from family and friends.
Loss of interest in activities.
Changes in friendships.
Spending time figuring out how to get drug.
Stealing or selling belongings to get drug.
Anxiety, anger, or depression.

12. STAGES OF ALCOHOLISM
Stage 1: A person starts to drink to relieve stress or relax; begins to make excuses about drinking.
Stage 2: The body develops a need for the drug; the drinker is often absent from school, but denies there is a problem.
Stage 3: The alcohol abuse is now clear to everyone and the drinking is out of control.

13. THREE STAGES OF RECOVERY
There are three stages of recovery:
1. The person admits there is a problem.
2. The alcoholic goes through a process of detoxification (the alcohol is removed from the body)
3. The alcoholic receives counseling on how to live without alcohol; learns to rebuild self-esteem and takes responsibility for their life.

14. SUPPORT GROUPS AA – Alcoholics Anonymous Al-anon Alateen
For alcoholics
Al-anon
Support for family and friends of an alcoholic
Alateen
Support for young people who cope with family members or friends who are alcoholics.