Alcohol & the Human Body

Alcohol & the

Human Body

Term to know…

B.A.C. = blood alcohol concentration

Different components of the brain show different

sensitivities to alcohol

Notice how behavior corresponds with a BAC

BAC: .04 -.06 Frontal lobe of Cerebrum

is the 1st to be affected

Yellow portion affected

BAC = .04 - .06

Involved in decision-making – controls inhibitions (sexual behavior)

more confident yet actually shows poorer judgment

Likely to be more talkative and laughing more than usual

BAC: .07 - .10Back of the Cerebrum

Blue color is still affected, yellow is currently affected as well

BAC = .07 - .10

Affects speech and vision

Senses are distorted

Has trouble choosing appropriate words

Speech slurring

Even though person is loosing control, they feel content and even euphoric

BAC: .11 - .19

Affects Cerebellum

Blue color is still affected, yellow is currently affected as well

BAC = .11 - .19 Motor coordination and vision

deteriorating

Person is staggering

Getting drowsy

Most social drinkers stop automatically at this point because they don’t like feeling bad

BAC: .20 - .30Affects mid- brain and spinal

reflexes

BAC = .20 - .30 may not be able to recall events, fall

into a stupor –leading to coma

Difficult to maintain body temperature

Reflex reactions slowed

Easily angered, may shout, groan or cry inappropriately

BAC: .40 and aboveAffects medulla oblongata

BAC = .40 and above

Paralysis

Irregular heartbeat

Slow respiration

Often means death

What is a "Drink?"It's not how many "drinks" that you

have, but how much alcohol that you consume.

A "drink" is normally defined as:One 12 oz. beer

One shot of 80 Proof liquor orOne 4-5 oz glass of wine.

Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency

PASSING OUT DOESN'T MEAN SLEEPING IT OFF

How You Can Tell Unconscious or semi-consciousness. Slow respiration (breaths) of eight

or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds.

Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.

Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency

In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol.  While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive.

Ethanol Small molecule

made up of only carbon, oxygen and hydrogen!

High energy!!! 7.5 calories/gram

Similar to glucose C6H12O6

4 calories/ gram

Made of the same elements, Ethanol is much smaller than glucose

If glucose can diffuse into cells, can ethanol????

YES – it easily crosses cell membranes and disturbs the

structure

Alcohol destroys membrane ability to regulate what comes

in and out of cell

Effect is reversible, but we are not sure how many times it can change back and forth before permanent changes occur!!!

Most drugs act through neurons and receptors with specific target sites

Alcohol has non specific action and diffuses into all cells – not just affecting receptors!

Since alcohol affects cell membranes, and the entire body is made up of cells – alcohol affects the ENTIRE BODY