Transcript Alcohol`s Effects

Alcohol
A product that is only legal for those that are 21 years of
age, alcohol is a depressant that comes from organic
sources including grapes, grains and berries. These
products are fermented and distilled into a liquid.
Alcohol affects every part of the body. It is carried
through the bloodstream to the brain, stomach, internal
organs, liver, kidneys, muscles – everywhere. It is
absorbed very quickly (as short as 5 - 10 minutes) and
can stay in the body for several hours
Alcohol
The Path of Alcohol in the body
Mouth: alcohol enters the body.
Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in the
stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine.
Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the
walls of the small intestine.
Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body.
Brain: alcohol reaches the brain.
Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 1
drink per hour.
Alcohol
Alcohol affects the central nervous system and brain. It can
make users loosen up, relax, and feel more comfortable, or
can make them more aggressive.
Unfortunately, it also lowers their inhibitions, which can set
them up for embarrassing or dangerous behavior. In fact,
each year approximately 5,000 young people under the age of
21 die as a result of underage drinking. This statistic includes
about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle accidents; 1,600
homicides; 300 suicides; and hundreds of others stemming
from injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.
A standard drink is:
One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler;
One 5-ounce glass of wine; or
1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
Alcohol transfers
from the blood into
the alveolar air sacs in
the lungs. As a result,
it is possible to
predict with a high
degree of accuracy,
the blood alcohol
concentration at that
same point in time.
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Motor coordination. This includes the ability
to walk, drive and process information.
Impulse control. Drinking lowers inhibitions
and increases the chances that a person will do
something that they will regret when they are
sober.
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Memory. Impaired recollection and even
blackouts can occur when too much alcohol
has been consumed.
Judgment and decision making capacity.
Drinking may lead young people to engage in
risky behaviors that can result in illness, injury
and even death.
Binge Drinking
This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when
women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Another consequence of alcohol use is Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome (FAS). Inside the mother, a fetus is
fed through the placenta. Because alcohol passes
easily through the placenta, every time the
mother drinks alcohol, the developing fetus gets
a dose of alcohol. Alcohol disrupts normal brain
development - THAT IS A FACT!!! Fetal
exposure to alcohol can impair the development
of the corpus callosum (the main connection
between the right and left hemispheres of the
brain.
FAS
Alcohol's Effects
A number of factors determine the effect alcohol has on
individuals
SPEED OF DRINKING - The more rapidly the beverage
is ingested, the higher the peak blood alcohol
concentration (BAC). The liver metabolizes about 1/2
ounce of alcohol per hour.
PRESENCE OF FOOD IN THE STOMACH - Eating
while drinking slows down the absorption rate. When
alcoholic beverages are taken with a substantial meal,
peak BAC may be reduced by as much as 50%.
BODY WEIGHT - The larger person has more blood and
requires greater amounts of alcohol to reach a given
BAC.
Alcohol's Effects
DRINKING HISTORY/TOLERANCE - Increasing
amounts of alcohol are needed to result in the physical
and behavioral reactions formerly produced at lesser
concentrations, if there is a long history of drinking.
ENVIRONMENT - There may be differences in alcohol's
effects, depending upon where one drinks (e.g., local
bar, with family, hostile environment, etc.).
THE DRINKER'S EXPECTATIONS - Many people
become intoxicated on less alcohol merely because they
have that expectation before they begin drinking.
Alcohol's Effects
GENERAL STATE OF EMOTIONAL AND
PHYSICAL HEALTH - Many people seem
more susceptible to the effects of alcohol when
they are extremely fatigued, have recently been
ill, or are under emotional stress and strain. The
usual amount of alcohol may result in
uncomfortable effects.
SEX DIFFERENCES - Given the same amount of
alcohol and proportional body weight, females
will generally have a higher BAC than their male
counterparts, due to less body fluids to dilute the
alcohol and to more body fat.