ALCOHOL

ALCOPOPS

75% of High School Students report having

tried alcohol at least once.

28% reported having an alcoholic beverage

in the last monthMale students more likely than female students to report episodic heavy

drinking

What is Alcohol?• Depressant

• Contains intoxicating substance called ethyl alcohol or ethanol

• Slows down the functions of the brain and other parts of the nervous system

Harmful Effects of Alcohol

• In the short time an excess of alcohol in your bloodstream leads to

-poor reaction time-poorer muscle control and coordination-poorer judgment when making

decisions

More EffectsLong term abuse of alcohol can

have a devastating impact on health

• Hangovers• Weight gain• Depressed immune system• Alcohol poisoning• Memory loss

…The Rest of Alcohol Effects• Liver

–Short Term •Liver changes alcohol into water and carbon dioxide

–Long Term •Liver is damaged possibly resulting in cirrhosis (scarring and destruction of the liver)

Liver

• Can only oxidize about 1 serving of alcohol an hour

• NO WAY to speed up this process

• Until liver has had time to oxidize all of the alcohol ingested, it keeps circulating through the bloodstream

Liver Damage• CIRRHOSIS

–scarring of the liver

–no blood flow in scarred area

–liver cannot function

–symptoms: high blood pressure, abdominal swelling, jaundice

–IRREVERSIBLE

Healthy Liver

Alcoholic Liver

Liver damage can cause ‘jaundice’- yellowing of

eyes and skin

Yellow hands on top, red palms underneath - a sign of liver

damage

Alcoholism• A disease in which a person has a

physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol.

• Characterized as an impaired ability to study, work, or socialize normally.

Effects on Family and Society

• 40% of violent crimes annually are alcohol related

• ½ of all homicide victims have alcohol in their bloodstream

Treatment•Cannot be cured

•Can be treated

•Counseling

•Medication

Where to go for help• Alcoholics Anonymous• National Association for

children of alcoholics• National drug and treatment

referral routing service.