Alcohol

AlcoholThe drug found in wine, beer and liquor that

causes intoxicationConsidered a drug because it alters a persons

physical and emotional state

IntoxicationPhysical and mental changes produced by drinkingAKA: drunk, hammered, sloshed…

Short Term EffectsIrritates mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach

Heart must work harder

Body looses heat

Liver works harder

Causes dehydration

Long Term EffectsDamage to Body

Damage heart- irregular heart beat, hypertensionDamage to liver

Cirrhosis Disease that replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue

Damage to BrainDehydration and lack of oxygen causes cell deathDementia- decrease brain functionLoss of brain function

Effects on MindSlows down nervous system

1-2 drinksTalkative and relaxed

2+ drinksLoose ability to make good decisions

Multiple DrinksSlurs speech, coordination, mood swings

Blood Alcohol Concentration

BACAmount of alcohol in a person’s blood as a

percentage

Driving Limits .08 legal limit (DUI) .02 has ability to influence driving

Buzzed driving is drunk driving!

Alcohol BreakdownLiver can break down 0.4 oz of alcohol in 1 hr

How long will it take to break down a 1.5 oz serving of liquor containing 40% alcohol?40% = 0.4 1.5 x 0.4 = 0.6 oz of alcohol in one drink

0.6 oz @ 0.4 = 1 hr1.5 hrs to completely breakdown the drink

Alcohol Breakdown Example:

How long will it take to break down (3) 12 oz. cans of beer with 4.2% of alcohol content?

How long will it take to break down a (2) 5 oz. glasses of red wine containing 12% alcohol

Family and SocietyAlcohol Abuse

Drinking too much alcohol habitually

Binge DrinkingHeavy episode of drinking

AlcoholismLose control of drinking behavior

StagesProblem drinkingToleranceDependenceAlcoholism

Alcohol & PregnancyFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Set of physical and mental defects that affect the fetus because of consumption

FAS is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in our country

Drinking and DrivingSlows reaction time

Affects vision

Reduces coordination

Affects judgement

513,000 people in the US are injured in alcohol-related car crashes every year

3 in 10 will be involved in a alcohol-related crash

GET HOME SAFEDon’t drink

Plan aheadDesignated driver“DD”

Arrange someone to pick you up

Call a cab

Drink Count?How many drinks have you had today?

How long do you need to wait before the alcohol is completely out of your system?

Are you safe to drive?