2. Alcohol The Self Inflicted Disease

3. Alcohol Facts… Alcohol is probably the world's oldest known drug. For thousands of years fermented grain, fruit juice and honey have been used to make alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) Because of the big business alcohol brings in today's society the consumption and abuse of alcohol has become very socially accepted, but it is also a major public health problem.

4. In the U.S. it is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol Alcohol has become an epidemic in the U.S.- not only is it dangerous, but it is responsible for the arrest of thousands of teenagers Many people who start drinking in their teens become dependent on alcohol; they are also likely to try other drugs Teens may use alcohol as a way to escape problems Learning about the harmful effects of alcohol will help you decide not to drink

5. Effects on the Heart Short-term effects: increases heart rate Long-term effects: causes irregular heart beat, heart muscle damage (cardiac muscle)

6. Effects on the Liver Immediate effects: Liver filters out 90% of the alcohol, may become imbalanced Long-term effects: Cirrhosis, which is a disease in which the liver turns into scar tissue and is destroyed; also causes liver cancer, both can lead to death

7. Kidneys Immediate effects: increased urination, which can cause dehydration, headache, and dizziness Long-term effects: Kidney failure resulting from high blood pressure

8. Stomach Immediate effects: Vomiting, which can lead to choking and death Long-term effects: Ulcers in the stomach lining (open sores), stomach cancer

9. Effects on the Brain Immediate effects: impaired judgment, reasoning, memory, and concentration; decreased reaction time, decreased coordination, slurred speech, distorted vision and hearing; reduced inhibitions, alcohol poisoning, unconsciousness, and death Long term effects: Brain cell destruction, nervous system disorders, and memory loss

10. Blood Vessels Immediate effects: Enlarged blood vessels, creating false sense of warmth Long-term effects: High blood pressure, stroke

11. Alcohol affects people depending on… age gender physical condition amount of food eaten other drugs or medicines taken

12. Alcohol & the central nervous system Many different sites of the central nervous system are depressed with alcohol use. the reticular formation spinal cord cerebellum cerebral cortex neurotransmitter systems Alcohol molecule is very small and is soluble in "lipid" and water solutions. Because of this, very easily alcohol gets into the bloodstream and it also crosses the blood brain barrier.

13. Alcohol travels the entire body … Mouth: alcohol enters the body. Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine. Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 0.5 oz per hour. Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy.

14. Low dose alcohol use causes… a relaxing effect reduces tension lowers inhibitions impairs concentration slows reflexes impairs reaction time reduces coordination

15. Medium doses can… slur speech cause drowsiness alter emotions

16. Large doses produce… vomiting breathing difficulties unconsciousness coma

17. Neurochemical effects of alcohol are... Increased turnover of norepinephrine and dopamine Decreased transmission in acetylcholine systems Increased transmission in GABA systems Increased production of beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus

18. Long Term (chronic) drinking can… lead to dependence addiction to alcohol additional neurological problems Withdrawal symptoms

19. Withdrawal symptoms are… shaking (tremors) sleep problems Nausea hallucinations seizures

20. Chronic alcohol use can: Damage the frontal lobes of the brain Cause reduction in brain size Lead to alcoholism (addiction to alcohol) Cause a vitamin deficiency

21. "Wernicke's Encephalopathy“… Syndrome when alcoholics are unable to absorb vitamin B-1 (thiamine)-- vitamin deficiency into the digestive system, causing… Impaired memory Confusion Lack of coordination Brain diseases caused by alcohol…

22. And… "Korsakoff's Syndrome.“… when alcoholics suffer further deficiencies of thiamine leading to… Amnesia Apathy Disorientation

23. Binge Drinking Drinking a lot in a short time is dangerous as this can lead to coma and death because the liver may not be able to process all of the alcohol fast enough and the poisons build up in the blood stream. So stay out of drinking contests- you may win the contest, but lose your life in the end.

24. Predisposition… Because of family history of alcohol use you might be more probable to become alcoholic is you start drinking. Some research shows that if you have the DRD 2 A 1 Allele gene and you use alcohol you will have a higher probability of becoming alcoholic…the problem is none of know if we have it…everyone who chooses to drink for the time is at risk of becoming alcoholic.

25. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). During pregnancy, a fetus-baby is fed through the placenta. Alcohol easily passes through the placenta and so every drink of alcohol a mother takes causes the developing fetus to “drink” alcohol. This causes abnormal brain development – ITS TRUE!!! Exposing un born babies to alcohol impairs proper development the main connection between the right and left sides of the brain, reducing the size of important areas of the brain and ultimately causing permanent brain damage.

26. FAS babies have… smaller heads and brains some degree of mental retardation poor coordination hyperactivity abnormal facial features

27. Not all alcohol use is bad… Some people are able to drink alcohol without experiencing any negative consequences... Age appropriate drinking—in the United States adults 21 years or older are allowed to drink and they won’t always become addicted Occasional drinking—socially or at celebrations, religiously or even with a meal every now and then Responsible drinking—making transportation arrangements, when one intends on drinking—NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE 21 years old= Occasionally= NEVER=

28. So what’s the point? It’s simple…making an educated choice about what you will and will not put into your body…that’s it…it’s up to you, are you willing to take the chance…after all your brain might really like it…but you could lose everything…eventually.