Transcript What is alcohol?

Alcohol
What is alcohol?
•A
depressant drug.
•That
is produced by a
chemical reaction in
some foods and that has
powerful effects on the
body
Short-term Effect of Alcohol

20% of the alcohol
consumed passes through
the lining of the stomach

◦ Too much alcohol in the
stomach may cause vomiting

Alcohol causes the heart to
beat faster and widen the
blood vessels
◦ Causes body temperature to
drop

Alcohol reaches the brain
within minutes
◦ Less able to control the body
◦ movement, speech and vision
may be affected
The Liver changes alcohol
into water and carbon
dioxide
◦ Drinking alcohol faster than
the liver can break it down
causes the person to become
intoxicated

Carbon Dioxide is released
through the lungs
◦ The water is passed out of
the body in the form of
 Urine, Perspiration and Breath
Vapor
The Harmful Effects of Alcohol on the
Body

Brain

Liver

Heart

Stomach
Effects on the Brain:

Many years
of drinking
alcohol
eventually
destroys
millions of
brain cells

The brain
cells cannot
be repaired
or replaced
Liver
When a person drinks
more than the liver can
process the person
becomes intoxicated or
“drunk”.
 This will most likely
cause liver damage

Liver
Heavy drinking
over time can
cause cirrhosis
which is
destruction and
scarring of liver
tissue
 Cirrhosis can
cause death

Heart
Heavy drinking
contributes to high
blood pressure and
may damage the
heart muscle
 Can also cause heart
failure, heart attack
and death

Stomach

Heavy drinking
increases the flow
of gastric juices
which can damage
the lining of the
stomach causing
open sores called
ulcers
Alcohol and the Individual
 The
effect that alcohol
has on a person is
influenced by a
number of factors
Speed
 When
consumed
quickly causing
alcohol to
remain in the
bloodstream
longer
Quantity
 It
takes the Liver
one hour to process
one drink of alcohol
 If the consumption
exceeds this rate,
alcohol levels in the
bloodstream will
rise
Food
 Having
an
empty stomach
causes alcohol
to pass into the
bloodstream
faster.
Weight
 The
same amount
of alcohol affects
a lighter person
sooner than a
heavier person.
Gender

Generally, females
have more body fat
and less body water
than males

This means alcohol
moves into the
bloodstream faster in
females
Mood
A
person’s mood
before drinking
affects the mood
after drinking.
 For
instance,
depression may
increase.
Other Drugs
Even aspirin can
increase alcohol’s
effects.
 Mixing alcohol and
other drugs can be
deadly!

Which has more Alcohol?

12oz. Beer

4oz. Wine

1.5oz Mixed Drink
They are all Equal

12oz. Beer
◦ 5% alcohol by
volume

4oz. Wine
◦ 12-15% alcohol
by volume

1.5oz Mixed Drink
◦ 40% alcohol by volume
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The amount of
alcohol in a person’s
blood is expressed by
a percentage


Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome or FAS is a
group of physical and
mental problems
caused by alcohol.
Pregnant woman
should not drink at all.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Addiction
 Some
people who drink
become addicted.
 Addiction means to have a
physical or mental need for a
drug or other substance.