C H A P T E R 2 2

ALCOHOL

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

• Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages• Produced both naturally and synthetically through

fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains

• Fermentation is the chemical action of yeast on sugars

• Ethanol is mixed with other additives to create different tasting beverages

BRIEF HISTORY OF ALCOHOL

• Unknown who first invented alcohol… several civilizations were fermenting different fruits/vegetables/grains thousands of years ago

• In 1920s the United States banned manufacture and sale of alcohol (Prohibition)

• In 1980, President Reagan enacted a law to raise the legal age to drink to 21 as an effort to decrease a growing epidemic of drunken driving

HOW IT WORKS

• Once alcohol enters the stomach, it begins to diffuse into the bloodstream

• Most diffusion takes place in the small and large intestines

• Once in your system, alcohol causes neurotransmitters and receptors in your brain to work slower than normal• Delayed signals

HOW YOUR BODY GETS RID OF IT

• Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes;

• Liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the excess alcohol to circulate throughout the bloodstream. • About 1 drink per 60 minutes

• The intensity of the effect of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.

• Binge Drinking > consumption of 4-5 drinks in a span of 2 hours of less

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

• Alcohol is a depressant, a drug that slows the central nervous system

• Quickly affects your body by slowing:• Motor skills• Reaction time• Impaired vision and judgment

• Can quickly lead to dizziness, nausea and vomiting

• Intoxication is the state in which your body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced

ALCOHOL POISONING

• Frequently, binge drinking leads to a serious condition called alcohol poisoning

• Alcohol Poisoning- a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose• Unconsciousness or even coma• Slowed breathing • Low body temperature• Vomiting

• Emergency Room • Stomach is emptied through a pump that is fed down the

esophagus

• It is illegal to possess, buy, or consume alcohol under the age of 21• Fines, probation, loss of license, jail

• Leads to high risk situations involving violence and sexual activity• More likely to become a victim or perpetrator

• 25% of youths are exposed to alcohol abuse; the excessive use of alcohol• Can lead to drinking at young ages, which increases risk for

developing dependence on alcohol by 4 times

• 15,000,000 people in US abuse or overuse alcohol

FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

• In 2007, 23,436 DUI arrests were made in Indiana

• 261 people were killed in car accidents where at least 1 driver had a BAC of 0.01%

• Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)- is the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as %

• Legal limit is .08% for 21 and older• Only .02% if under 21

• 12-ounces of beer• 5-ounces of wine• 1.5-ounce “shot” of liquor

• Alcohol and other medications/drugs do not mix well

• May slow down a drug’s absorption• Increases amount of time alcohol or drug is in the body

• Can change some medications into other chemicals which can amplify or change their effect• Antihistamines (colds/allergies) and alcohol can cause

excessive dizziness or sleepiness

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Addiction – inability to stop drinking

• Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide.

• Brain Damage- Loss of brain cells

• Cancer – In general, alcohol use increases risk of certain types of cancer

• Fatty liver- excessive fat builds up on liver• reduced blood flow and cell loss

• Cirrhosis of liver- liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, blocking normal blood flow

• Stomach ulcers -damaged lining in digestive system

CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER

• Irreversible scar tissue

• Lack of blood flow to liver

• Slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins

• Can be treated and controlled

• Cannot live without a healthy liver• Transplant if bad enough

• Top 15 causes of death in U.S.

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

• When a pregnant female drinks, in essence, so does her fetus• Fetus liver is unable to process alcohol

• Drinking during first few weeks of pregnancy when women may not know pregnant, drinking can be extremely harmful to baby’s CNS

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- a group of alcohol related birth defects that include physical and mental problems

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

• Death

• Abnormal facial features, growth problems, CNS problems

• Heart, liver, and kidney defects are common

• Difficulty learning, remembering, attention span and problem solving

• These effects are non reversible!

ALCOHOLISM

• Alcoholism- a disease in which a person has a strong physical or psychological dependence on alcohol• No longer drink to become drunk…drink to feel normal

• Alcoholic- an addict who is dependent on alcohol

• Stages of Alcoholism• Abuse• Dependence• Addiction

EFFECTS ON FAMILY AND SOCIETY

• 40% of violent crimes, 3,000,000 annually, are alcohol-related

• 66% of victims of domestic violence report alcohol was a factor in the crime

GETTING HELP

•  National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service •   1-800-662-HELP• Provides information on local sources of help

• Indianapolis Alcoholics Anonymous• www.indyaa.org• 317-632-7864 

• Fairbanks Recovery Center• www.fairbankscd.org• 317-849-8222