Alcohol

AlcoholA drug found in certain beverages

that depresses the brain and nervous system.

Fermentation – process in which yeast, sugar and water are combined to produce alcohol.

Distillation – process that uses fermented mixture to obtain alcohol with a high alcohol content.

Blood Alcohol ConcentrationThe amount of alcohol in a persons blood.

The higher the BAC – the greater effects on the body.

The alcohol in the drink goes to all body tissues before being excreted.

Alcohol is a toxin. A toxin is a poison.

If a large amount is swallowed, the stomach will reject it.

There is no way to speed alcohol through the body!

Factors that effect BAC1) Amount of alcohol consumed.2) Speed at which alcohol is consumed.

3) Body size.4)Percentage of body fat.5) Gender. Dehydrogenase – enzyme that burns off alcohol. There is less in women

6) Feelings.7) Amount of food eaten.8) Presence of other drugs in bloodstream.

9) Age.10) Drinking carbonated beverages.

Effects of Alcohol at increasing levels of BACBAC of .02 (about 1 drink per hour)

relaxed feeling. Increase social in confidence. Thinking decision making may be impaired.

BAC of .05 (2 – 2/12 drinks) reasoning and judgment impaired. Others can tell you have been drinking. Speech slurred. Decrease in muscular coordination and reaction time slowed.

BAC .08 (3 – 4 drinks per hour) Balance, speech, vision, hearing slightly impaired. Legally intoxicated.

BAC .10 (5 drinks)Reasoning, judgment, self-control, muscular coordination and reaction time – all seriously impaired.

BAC .12 (6) People become confused and disoriented. Vision blurred. Nausea and vomiting.

BAC .20 (10 drinks) Emotions unpredictable. May pass out.

BAC .30 (15 drinks) People have little to no control over their mind and body. Most will pass out.

BAC .40 (20 drinks) likely to be unconscious. May die.

BAC .50 ( 25 drinks) Coma, Death.

Effects on the brain1) Cerebral Cortex – judgment and

inhibitions.2) Cerebellum - coordination3) Hippocampus – learning, memory

(developed by age 25)4) Hypothalamus – hunger, heart rate5) Medulla Oblongata – coma

breathing, body temperature

Effects on the BodyAlcohol is a leading cause of death! People who drink regularly require more health care than others.

It harms most of the body systems.

Nervous SystemDestroys nerve cells – causing black outs and seizures.

It can lead to premature dementia.

If someone stops drinking the dementia can be reversed.

Digestive SystemAlcohol increases the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach - because of direct exposure to the alcohol.

Can cause ulcers ( open sore on the membrane). These are often inflamed and painful.

Increase risk of developing liver disease. Alcohol (a toxin) is oxidized in the liver.

3 stage process:Liver enlarged but person doesn’t feel

sick.Alcoholic Hepatitis – liver swells, yellow

skin and eyes, pain, fever.Cirrhosis- can cause liver failure and

death.

Pancreatitis – inflammation of pancreases. Can lead to diabetes.

Immune System/ Urinary SystemDrinking alcohol depresses the function of the immune system.Increased risk for illness, infections, and cancers.

Alcohol increases urine flow – can cause kidney failure (long term)

Cardiovascular/Skeletal SystemHeart – increased risk for high blood pressure and stroke. Heavy drinking increases risk of cardiomyopathy – heart muscle weakens and enlarges.

Skeletal – body loses calcium. Long term use –osteoporosis (brittle bones)

Reproductive systemDrinking alcohol can have significant

effects during puberty.Females:

Delay first menstrual cycle, cause irregular periods, impair breast development.

Males:Can decrease the size of testes and

development of muscle mass. Delays facial hair and voice deepening.

Drinking during pregnancyThe alcohol a mother drinks will go

to the baby.It could cause:

miscarriage or a still birth.A low birth weight baby

At greater risk for respiratory problems, infections, and long term developmental issues.

Fetal Alcohol SyndromeSevere birth defects. Small eye openings, small head, stunted physical and mental growth.

Leading cause of birth defects

Thinking and Decision MakingWrong decisionsFalse sense of Self ConfidenceImpaired judgmentFeelings of invincibilityGiving in to negative peer pressure

Intensified sexual feelings/impaired reasoning

Impaired reaction time and coordination

Agreessive behaviors/ fightsIntensified emotionsHangoversBlackpoutsViolence

Domestic violenceRapeSuicideLaw-breakingViolating school rulesDrinking while driving