Alcohol

ALCOHOL NOTEMAKERA

Alcohol is a depressant. It alters mood, thinking and behavior. The intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic drinks is ethyl alcohol (ETHANOL). Pure alcohol has no color or taste. Alcoholic drinks get their color and flavor from the ingredients used to make them.

The Least You Need to Know:1. Short term vs. Long term effects…2. What is a ‘standard drink…’3. What is BAC?4. What is oxidation?5. How long to oxidize 1 drink?6. Sobering Myths…7. Factors influencing absorption…8. F.A.S. (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)9. Factors contributing to alcoholism.

Path of Alcohol

  

                

1. Mouth: alcohol enters the body. 2. Stomach: ¼ of alcohol gets in the bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine. 3. Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. 4. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. 5. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. 6. Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 1 drink per hour. Alcohol is converted into water, C02, & 7 calories/gram.

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL and

THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN

Brain- first area depressed: speech, thought, restraint, judgment, inhibition • Then, spinal cord reflexes and respiration which can be fatal.• disturbed sleep patterns, change in REM sleep• black-outs may occur (periods of time that can’t be remembered when sober)

Effects on Body Continued

Cardiovascular- dilates blood vessels which causes loss of heat

*initially increases heart rate, then slows it down Gastrointestinal- toxic effect on stomach lining *irritates ulcers

*increases acid and pepsin secretions (digestive fluid) *nauseant Sexual Stimulation- too much alcohol abolishes sexual

function Liver- (blood volume circulates through liver every 4 minutes) *cells in liver destroyed *scarring, also called Cirrhosis

*fatty liver *can cause death long term

Normal Liver, Fatty Liver, Cirrhosis

Alcohol and Cancer

Linked to many forms: Liver Pancreas Stomach Large intestine Rectum Breast Worsens with combined use of tobacco

products (oral and throat)

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

#1 cause of preventable mental retardation

Results in wide set eyes, flat/broad nose, small head, and learning disabilities

How much alcohol is in 1 drink?

Amounts of alcohol: (2/3 ounce of pure ethanol)

Same for all below!! *shot of hard liquor (86 proof/ 43%

alcohol) *wine- 5 ounces (12% alcohol) *can of beer 12 ounces (4.5% alcohol)

Standard Drinks

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Blood Alcohol Concentration: measured in percentages

*0.01% means 10mg of alcohol per 100mL of blood *maximum BAC is reached within 20-30 minutes

Alcohol poisoning- can happen in one episode of binge drinking (4-5 drinks in under 2 hours)

*can be fatal *choke on own vomit or midbrain shuts down which

regulates breathing *call 911 if you notice: vomiting, seizures, stupor, coma,

can’t awaken, pale skin *once a person passes out, their BAC continues to rise

Effects of Alcohol ChartFactors Influencing Absorption• Type, #, Size of Drinks• Food• Body Size• Drug Interaction (s)?• Gender

Gender differences: women tend to be more affected by alcohol than men (< of alcohol metabolizing enzyme)

How do you know if someone has a problem with alcohol?

Alcoholism- Unable to stop drinking despite damaged health, work/school, and relationships

Occurs in 3 Stages:Abuse- gets drunk regularly, blackouts, memory loss, lies

about drinking, tolerance occursDependence- physically needs drug, tries to hide problem, performance at job/school/home suffers, makes excuses, blames others for their drinkingAddiction- drinking is most important in life, out of control, in denial, liver damage common, severe withdrawal if drinking is stopped

Withdrawal SymptomsWill occur, if addicted, within 12-72 hours after

last drinkSigns:

Shaking Tremors Profuse sweating Nausea Anxiety Diarrhea Hallucinations Disorientation Delirium Tremens (seizures, cardiovascular collapse

can be fatal) Lasts for 5-7 days

Alcoholism Statistics

1st degree relatives of alcoholics are 2-7x more likely than general population to develop problems with alcohol

Teens who drink before age 15 are 4x more likely to become alcoholics than those who start at 21

Treatment

DetoxificationBehavior TherapyAntabuse Drug TherapyAlcoholics Anonymous Alanon (for family)Alateen (for kids of alcoholics)

So, why does alcohol seem like no big deal?

Advertising

Leads us to believe that alcohol= athletic, social, and sexual success, happiness, healthiness, good times

We think drinking is normal and glamorous without negative consequences.

Use a designated driver, or one will be appointed for you !

Nearly ½ of all TRAFFIC FATALITITES are related to DUI.#1 cause of death to teens

DUI•Estimated Cost = $10,600• 2 year revocation license

Zero Tolerance• 3 Month/6 Month Suspension

Implied Consent

Through the process of obtaining a driver’s license, a person in Illinois gives consent to chemical testing. If a police officer has a reasonable belief that person is driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the officer can request the person to submit to testing.

1.Blood 2. Breath 3. Urine

Sobering Myths

Exercise…. Showering… Drinking Coffee….

Only TIME will sober you up

If at a home party, ask to spend the night or

have a trusted adult pick you up.

Harm Reduction

What do you think about parents allowing teen drinking in their homes?

Adults who buy alcohol for minors or allow teen drinking in their home- first offense Fine up to $2,500 Year in jail