1. Binge Drinking and Blood Alcohol Level Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush This power point was downloaded 11/2010. It was originally created by Pearson Education Inc and freely distributed via the internet for use on college campuses. It has been edited for High School Health class

2. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The Frequency and Effects of Binge-Drinking Among College Students Table 12.2

3. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings REVIEW: The Chemical Makeup Of Alcohol  Ethyl alcohol or ethanol – the intoxicating substance  Fermentation – yeast organisms break down plant sugars, yielding ethanol and carbon dioxide  Distillation – alcohol vapors from the fermented mash are collected and mixed with water  Proof – measure of percentage of alcohol, the alcohol percentage is 50 percent of the given proof 100 proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol by volume

4. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Immediate Effects  The primary action of alcohol is to depress the central nervous system  Diuretic – results in fluid being drawn out of cerebrospinal fluid and leads to mitochondrial dehydration  Alcohol irritates the gastrointestinal system  Hangover  Congeners – forms of alcohol that are metabolized slower than ethanol and more toxic  Drug interactions

5. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Long Term Effects  Effects on the nervous system  Cardiovascular effects Antithrombotic effect  Liver disease Alcoholic hepatitis Cirrhosis  Cancer  Irritant to gastrointestinal system  Inflammation of the pancreas  Block absorption of calcium  Interferes with immunity

6. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol And Pregnancy  Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) – alcohol consumed during the first trimester may affect organ development, alcohol consumed during the last trimester may affect CNS development  Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) – children with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure but with fewer than the full physical or behavioral symptoms of FAS

7. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Women And Alcoholism  Trend is for women, especially college-age women to drink more heavily  Women get addicted faster with less alcohol  Women alcoholics have death rates 50 to 100 percent higher than male-alcoholics  Only 14% of women who need treatment get it

8. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcoholic Beverages and Their Alcohol Equivalencies Figure 12.2

9. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or Blood Alcohol Level (BAL)  BAC – is the ratio of alcohol to total blood volume  Despite individual differences, alcohol produces some general behavioral effects depending on BAC  Learned behavioral tolerance – person learns to modify their behavior to appear sober despite a high BAC  The Legal LIMIT for a person 21 and over in PA is.08 or 8- 100th or 2/25 The LEGAL LIMIT for a person under 21 in PA is 0.00

10. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Psychological and Physical Effects of Various Blood-Alcohol Concentration Levels Table 12.3

11. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Approximate Blood Alcohol Concentration Based on Body Weight and Number of Drinks Figure 12.3

12. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Absorption And Metabolism  Factors that influence how quickly body absorbs alcohol: Alcohol concentration in beverage (includes “proof” of alcohol and mixed drinks vs “regular”) Amount of food and non-alcoholic drinks in stomach Metabolism Age, Gender, diet, other factors Body Mass Index Mood Use of other drugs such as Tobacco or Marijuana

13. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Other factors that influences BAL/BAC Body Weight Body Height Personal Tolerance Maturity level Speed in which a person consumes alcohol Exercise (dangerous due to decreased motor functions)

14. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Women And Alcohol  Different body fat composition than men  Women have half the amount of alcohol hydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. If a woman and a man drink the same amount of alcohol, the woman will have a BAC that is 30% higher

15. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Poisoning  Death from alcohol poisoning can be caused by central nervous system and respiratory depression or inhalation of vomit or fluid into the lungs  Signs of alcohol poisoning include: Weak, rapid pulse Unusual or irregular breathing pattern Cool, damp, pale, bluish skin Mental confusion Vomiting Seizures

16. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism  Alcohol abuse – interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships or entails any violation of the law  Alcoholism – when personal and health problems related to alcohol use are severe and stopping alcohol use results in withdrawal symptoms

17. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The Causes Of Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism  Biological and family factors Alcoholism is 4-5x more common among children of alcoholics  Social and cultural factors Social pressure Family attitude toward drinking

18. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Effects Of Alcoholism On The Family  Children in alcoholic dysfunctional families generally assume at least one of the following roles: Family hero Scapegoat Lost child Mascot

19. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Costs To Society  Half of all traffic accidents are attributable to alcohol  In 1998, alcohol related costs to society were $184.6 billion when health insurance, criminal justice costs, treatment costs, and lost productivity were factored in  Responsible for > 25% of nation’s medical costs and lost earnings  Every underage drinker costs society and average of $4,680 a year.

20. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Discussion Question:  Discuss situations when you have been drinking or you know someone who was drinking and thought that you/they were in control but may have had a high blood alcohol content. Can you safely trust your own judgment?