Transcript Chapter 11 Lesson 1

What is Alcohol
• Alcohol – Drug created by a chemical
reaction in some foods, especially fruits
and grains
• Most commonly used drug in this country
• Average age for taking first drink is 13
Why Do Teens Begin to Drink
• Relieve stress
• Escape from problems
• Peer pressure
Effects of Alcohol on the Body
Brain
Brain
• Short term effects – Reaches brain almost
immediately
• Impairs judgment, reasoning, memory and
concentration
• Reaction time is slowed
• Coordination decreases, speech is slurred
• Vision and hearing are distorted
• Ability to desire to control behavior
decreases
Brain
• Long term effects – Brain damage
• Nervous disorders
• Memory loss
Blood Vessels
• Short term – Vessels enlarge, bringing
blood closer to skin and creating false
sense of warmth
Blood Vessels
• Long term – High blood pressure, Stroke
Liver
• Short term effects – Liver poisoning
Liver
• Long term effects – Cirrhosis- scarring
and destruction of liver tissue
• Liver cancer
Heart
• Short Term effects – Heart and pulse rate
increases
• Long term effects – irregular heart beats
and damage to heart muscle
Stomach
• Short term – Vomiting, if unconscious
could lead to choking
• Long term – ulcers, open sores, stomach
cancer
Effects of Drinking
• 12 oz. Beer
• 4 oz. Wine
• 1.5 oz. liquor
• ALL CONTAIN ABOUT SAME AMOUNT
OF ALCOHOL
Effects of Drinking
• Size and Gender – Females tolerate a
smaller amount of alcohol than males
• Usually because they weigh less
• Food in the stomach – Food in stomach
slows the process of alcohol absorbtion
but does not stop effect
Effects of Drinking
• How fast person drinks – Gulping down
a drink raises the alcohol level in the blood
because body has less time to process it
• Other substances in the body – Drinking
while using other drugs may be fatal or
have severe effects
ALCOHOLISM
Alcoholism
• Illness caused by a physical an mental
need for alcohol
• Unable to limit the amount of alcohol they
drink
• Drink increasing amount and become
drunk often
• Place drinking ahead of other activities
Alcoholism
• Drinks alone
• Experiences blackouts and cannot
remember what was done while drinking
• Personality changes
• Makes excuses for drinking, promises to
quit or drink less
• Refuses to admit they have problem