Alcohol Unit

Alcoholism Video

Alcohol

Alcohol - – A drug found in certain beverages that

depresses the brain and central nervous system

Most Common Alcoholic Beverages

Proof – A measure of the amount of alcohol in a beverage– The proof of a beverage is double the percent of

alcohol in a beverage

Beer– Most beers are about 4% alcohol

Wine– Most wines are about 12-14% alcohol

Liquor– Most liquors are about 40% alcohol

Blood Alcohol Concentration(BAC)

Alcohol enters bloodstream within minutes after drinking it

About 20% of that alcohol is absorbed in the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach, the rest through the intestine

Affects body immediately!

Moves into bloodstream and affects every cell in the body

BAC

Most of the alcohol absorbed is changed to waste by the liver

Liver can only change one drink per hour

Alcohol builds up in body when any more alcohol is consumed then the liver can handle

BAC

The effects of alcohol intensify as the concentration of alcohol in the blood increases

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)– The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood– Given as a percentage– The higher the BAC, the greater the effects of alcohol

Alcohol is a Toxin– Toxin- A substance that is poisonous– If too much is consumed, the stomach will reject it– Body attempts to break down alcohol as soon as possible

Factors that Affect BAC

Amount of alcohol consumed Speed at which alcohol is consumed Body weight Percentage of body fat Gender Feelings Amount of food eaten Presence of other drugs in the bloodstream Age

Effects of Alcohol at Increasing BAC Levels

BAC of .02 – (About 1 drink in an hour) – People feel relaxed– Increased social confidence; talkative– Thinking and decision making abilities may be impaired

BAC of .05 – (About 2 drinks in an hour)– Areas of brain that control reasoning and judgment are

impaired; decreased muscular coordination; slowed reaction time

– Others can tell if someone was drinking– Slurred speech– People may not realize they are doing/saying

inappropriate things

Effects of Alcohol at Increasing BAC Levels

BAC of .10 – (About 5 drinks in an hour)

– Reasoning, judgment, self-control, muscular control, and reaction time are seriously impaired

– Cannot make responsible decisions

– Claim to not be affected by the alcohol

– Slurred speech; walk with a stagger

– Unpredictable emotions– Considered legally

drunk in most states

BAC of .12– People become

confused/disoriented– Blurred Vision– Loss of

coordination/Balance– Nausea; Vomiting

BAC of .20– Rapidly changing and

unpredictable emotions– People may pass out

Effects of Alcohol at Increasing BAC Levels

BAC of .30– Little or no control over mind and body– Most people cannot stay awake at this BAC

BAC of .40– People are likely to become unconscious– Breathing and heart rate are slowed– May result in death

BAC of .50– People who reach this BAC may enter a deep coma and/or

die

The Laws

In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he/she operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater.

Consuming even small amounts of alcohol dulls the senses, decreases reaction time, and hampers judgment, vision and alertness.

If you consume any amount of alcohol and your driving is affected, you can be convicted of drunk driving.

Consequences of Underage Drinking and Driving

In New Jersey, you must be 21 to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages.

– Underage drinking is illegal and can have severe consequences for young people who drink and for adults who provide alcoholic beverages to those under 21.

If you are under 21 and you buy or drink alcohol in a place with an alcohol beverage license, you may be fined $500 and lose your license for 6 months.

– If you do not have your driver’s license, the suspension starts when you are first eligible to receive a license.

– Participation in an alcohol treatment or education program

If you are under 21 and drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system (.01 BAC or above), you will be subjected to the following penalties:

Loss or postponement of driving privileges for 30 to 90 days

15 to 30 days of community service Participation in a program of alcohol

education and highway safety

Driving with a Suspended License due to Driving While Intoxicated

A fine of $500 10 to 90 days imprisonment 1 to 2 years added license suspension If you have a crash & someone is hurt while your license is suspended, you face a mandatory 45 day jail sentence Revocation of motor vehicle registration

Refusal to Submit to Breath Test

1st offense - $300-$500 fine and a license suspension of not less than seven months or more than one year*

2nd offense - $500-$1000 fine and a 2-year license suspension*

3rd offense - $1000 fine and a 10-year license suspension*

– Automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 a year for 3 years for 1st and 2nd offenses

– $1,500 for 3rd offense $100 surcharge to be deposited in a drunk driving enforcement fund

Referral to an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

What Alcohol does to our Body

Irritates the Stomach LiningDepresses the Central Nervous SystemAlters the Person’s Behavior and the

Body’s ability to functionSlows Brain functioning, decreasing

balance, eyesight, and reasoning ability

Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Alcohol is a leading cause of death

Almost every part of the body is harmed when people drink large quantities of alcohol

Regular drinkers require more health care

Heavy drinking harms most of the body systems

Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Effects all of the systems in the body– Nervous System– Digestive System– Immune System– Cardiovascular System– Skeletal System– Urinary System– Reproductive System

Effects of Alcohol on Thinking and Decision Making

Wrong Decisions False sense of self-

confidence Impaired judgment Feelings of invincibility Giving in to negative

peer pressure Intensified sexual

feelings and impaired reasoning

Impaired reaction time and coordination

Aggressive behavior Intensified emotions Hangovers Blackouts

Risk of Violence and Illegal Behavior

Violence Domestic Violence

– Violence that occurs within a family Rape Suicide Lawbreaking Violating school policies Drinking while driving

Chapter 22 Review

Page 582– Exploring Health Terms

Answers only

– Recalling the Facts Respond in complete sentences SKIP #’s 4, 8, and 12