1. Alcohol is a Drug
Chapter 19

2. Alcohol is a Drug
a DRUG is any chemical that causes changes in a person’s body or behavior
This is the exact reason why alcohol is a drug
It most definitely causes changes
in a person’s body and behavior!
Alcohol is the most widely abused drug by high school students

3. Ethanol This is found is beverages such as beer, wine and liquor
It is produced when yeast changes sugar into carbon dioxide and alcohol
Not all alcoholic beverages contain the same amount of ethanol
Beer and wine indicate the percentage of alcohol on their labels

4. Ethanol Percentages can widely vary and can range from 6-50%
Beverages that have greater amount of alcohol than beer and wine like gin, whiskey, rum and vodka have a proof listed on the label
PROOF is a measure of the of the percentage of alcohol in the beverage

5. Ethanol The PROOF is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume
For example: 100 proof vodka is 50% alcohol

6. Alcohol Alcohol has a tremendous effect on the body
This drug is a very powerful DEPRESSANT
A DEPRESSANT is a drug that slows the activity of the body’s central nervous system
Alcohol slows the body’s natural reactions down

7. Alcohol Can Cause……. Confusion Decreased alertness Poor coordination
Blurred vision
Drowsiness
As well as many others

8. What Else??
In those who drink heavy amount of alcohol, vital functions like heart beats and breathing can be seriously affected and slowed down resulting in deathg

9. Legal Problems
Attempting to buy alcohol under age is illegal as well as selling to someone who is under age Possessing alcohol underage is against the law and usually comes with heavy fines and other consequences In all states, an individual must be at least 21 years of age in order to purchase and drink alcohol

10. Legal Risks
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration estimates that about half of all fatal automobile crashes are alcohol related

11. Alcohol’s Effects on the Body
Once alcohol reaches the blood, it is circulated throughout the body and affects every part including the brain and the rest of the nervous system
Alcohol can be toxic or poisonous
The word intoxication is actually derived from the word “ TOXIC”

12. Alcohol’s Effect on the Body
Intoxication: refers to the negative effects alcohol has on a drinker's body and behavior

13. Bloodstream
When alcohol enters the blood stream it causes the blood vessels to widen
More blood then flows to the skins surface and the drinker begins to feel warmer
Although you feel warmer, your body temperature begins to drop
Since all the blood is at the surface this is a false sense of warmth
Therefore those that drink in the cold to stay warm are not exactly accomplishing that!

14. Brain
Upon meting the brain, alcohol immediately has a depressant effect
People may get the false sense of relaxation when they drink but that is just because drinking slows down brain activity
Alcohol slows down every part of the brain, vision, speaking, hearing, balance and coordination

15. Brain
If the drinking still continues this can even depress the part of the brain that is responsible for breathing and heart beat which can lead to death

16. Brain
Black outs: are periods of time that the drinker cannot recall. Other people may see the drinker walking and talking but the next day the drinker has no recall of the event
Studies show that those who black out before the age of 15 are more likely to get a blackout every time they drink as they get older ( Duke University)

17. Brain Damage Long term alcohol abuse destroys nerve cells in the brain
The loss of nerve cells typically means that they will not grow again
This can cause forgetfulness, inability to concentrate and poor judgment

18. Liver once in the bloodstream the alcohol is carried to the liver
Liver breaks down toxins in the body to allow it to be excreted
When the liver cannot keep up with the break down of alcohol that is when a person becomes intoxicated

19. Liver Damage
Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fat
Because of this the liver turns fill with fat
The fat blocks the flow of blood to the liver and the cells begin to die
Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease in which useless scar tissue replaces the liver tissue, because there is no blood flow the liver begins to fail

20. Liver Damage
This will cause the drinker to have high blood pressure, get infections easily, swelling in the abdomen, yellowing of skin and eyes, this often results in death
ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS: inflammation of the liver caused by toxic effects of alcohol, this often will lead to liver failure and death

21. Kidneys
alcohol prevents the release of body chemicals that regulate how much urine the kidneys make
The kidneys will produce more urine than usual when the individual is drinking alcohol
The drinker loses more water than usual and could be enough to needed for the body to function properly

22. Digestive Problems
ongoing drinking irritates the tissue lining the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach
This irritation can cause the tissue to become inflamed
This can cause risks of cancers, intestinal problems and diarrhea
Large amounts of alcohol can cause the body to produce too much acid, which can lead to indigestion, heart burn and ulcers

23. Heart Disease
excessive drinking contributes to increased blood pressure ,heart rate, and irregular heart beat
These problems can cause irregular or poor blood flow and heart damage
Alcohol cause the parts of the heart to turn to fat
Fatty heart muscle causes blood to be pumped through the body less efficiently

24. Long Term Health Risks DEPENDENCE, ADDICTION, WITHDRAWAL
DEPENDENCE: when the body develops a resistance to a drug and requires the drug to function normally
the drinker’s body develops a chemical need for alcohol

25. Long Term Health Risks
ADDICTION: this is also known as dependence. The body is addicted to the substance and cannot function without it. The drinker feels that way at least!
WITHDRAWAL: signs of alcohol withdrawal includes shaking, problems sleeping, irritability, rapid heart beat, and sweating
A person going through withdraw may even see or smell things that aren’t there