2. BRAIN Alcohol reaches the brain as soon as it is consumed. Slows down the CNS Thought processes are disorganized. Memory and concentration are dulled. Decision Making skills are badly affected.

3. LIVER Oxidizes alcohol at one-third to one-half ounces of alcohol per hour. When a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, the becomes intoxicated.

4. BLOOD Blood carries the alcohol to all parts of the body. Blood vessels dilate (widen) and allow heat to escape the body. This is what may lead to hypothermia.

5. HEART Increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Causes scar tissue to build up in muscle fibers of the heart. Increase risk of heart attack and strokes.

6. KIDNEYS Increase in production of urine due to alcohols effect on the pituitary gland. This is the cause of dehydration, leading to problems the day after heavy drinking.

7. STOMACH Increases flow of gastric juices. Alcohol in high quantities will cause a larger flow of these gastric juices irritating

8. DRIVING Reduces the ability to judge distances, speeds, and turns; as well as, one’s own capabilities and limitations Increase in risk taking Slows reflexes Aids in forgetfulness Reduces ability to concentrate

9. BAC LEVELS.02-.03 % BAC: You are slightly light headed; inhibitions are loosened ( Missouri defines.02% as legally drunk for those under 21 years of age)..05%-.06 BAC: You’re warm and relaxed; you’re behavior may become exaggerated..08-.09% BAC: You are legally drunk; you may start to slur your speech, your sense of balance is probably off, and your motor skills are becoming impaired..10%-.12% BAC: At this level, you feel euphoric, but you lack coordination and balance; your motor skills are markedly impaired, as are your judgment and memory..14%-.17% BAC: Euphoric feelings may give way to unpleasant feelings; you have difficulty talking, walking, or even standing; your judgment and perception are severely impaired..20% BAC: You feel confused, dazed, or otherwise disoriented ; at this point you may experience nausea and/or start vomiting; blackouts are likely..25% BAC: All mental, physical, and sensory functions are severely impaired; you're at increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falling or other accidents..30% BAC: You have little comprehension of where you are; you may suddenly pass out -- with an alarming BAC like.30%, your body will decide to pass out for you..35% BAC: This blood alcohol level is the level of surgical anesthesia; you may stop breathing..40% BAC: You are probably in a coma. The nerve centers controlling your heartbeat and respiration are slowing down.

11. BRAIN Long term, excessive use leads to major brain damage. Moderate drinking kills off brain cells, leading to loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory loss and problem solving.

12. LIVER Alcohol interferes with the livers ability to break down fats. Fatty liver is a condition which fat build up and hampers the livers ability to work properly. Cirrhosis is a condition where the liver tissue is destroyed and then replaced with scar tissue. Hepatitis is an infection of the liver that causes weakness, jaundice, fever and sometimes death. It occurs because of the toxic effects of the drug.

13. TOLERANCE Because alcohol is a drug, people who use it regularly may develop a tolerance, making it necessary to drink more and more in order to produce the same effects. When tolerance occurs, people may drink an increasing amount of alcohol without appearing intoxicated.

14. WITHDRAWAL An individual may experience symptoms if the drug is stopped. Symptoms may range from jumpiness, sleeplessness, sweating and poor appetite to severe tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations.

15. MIXING DRUGS Synergistic Effect occurs when two or more medicines are taken simultaneously. Multiplier Effect is when alcohol is taken with some other form of drug or medicine.

16. FAS Condition in which the fetus has been adversely affected mentally and physically by its mother’s alcohol use during pregnancy. 5,000 FAS babies are born yearly. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation in the US.

17. FAS PROBLEMS Low birth weight Impaired speech Cleft palate General weakness Slow body growth Facial abnormalities Poor coordination Heart defects Poor attention span Hyperactivity