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The Health Risks of Alcohol. Alcohol Use and the harmful effects. The Addictive Side of Alcohol. The addictive type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is called ethanol.
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The Health Risks of Alcohol Alcohol Use and the harmful effects
The Addictive Side of Alcohol • The addictive type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is called ethanol. • Ethanol can be produced synthetically or naturally through fermentation (grains, fruits, vegetables); fermentation is the chemical action of yeast on sugars. • Alcohol is classified as a depressant, which will slow down the process of the CNS.
Factors that influence alcohol’s effects • Intoxication- the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance • Body size • Gender • Food • Rate of intake • Amount • Medicine
Effects on the brain: Development Memory Judgment and control Risk of stroke Effects on the heart: Increase heart rate and blood pressure Heart rhythm becomes irregular Decreased body temperature Short Term Effects
Effects on Liver and Kidney: Chemicals that are metabolized can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver. Increase urine output and increase the chance of dehydration. Effects on Stomach: Nausea and vomiting Disrupt the absorption of nutrients (pancreas) Short Term Effects
Long Term Effects • Damage to brain cells • Increase in blood pressure (heart attack, stroke) • Buildup of fat cells in the liver • Damage to digestive lining of the stomach (ulcers and cancer) • Destruction of the pancreas • Cirrhosis of the liver
Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning • Binge drinking is defined as having 5 or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting. • Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning; which is defined as a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose. • What are some effects of alcohol poisoning? • List examples
Dependence on alcohol • Psychological dependence is when a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally. • Physiological dependence is a condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug.
Alcohol and the Family • Alcoholism is a disease in which a person and a physical or physiological dependence on alcohol. • Alcoholism can lead to alcohol abuse which is an excessive use of alcohol. It is estimated that 25% of youth are exposed to alcohol abuse in their household. • A person who begins drinking alcohol as a teen is 4x’s more likely to develop dependence then someone that waits until adulthood.
Benefits of living Alcohol-free • Maintaining a healthy body • Establishing healthy relationships • Making healthy decisions • Avoiding risky behavior • Avoiding illegal activities • Avoiding violence • Achieving your goals
The Impact of Alcohol Abuse • 1/5 of all teen drivers involved in fatal car accidents have a BAC of 0.01%. • Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)- is the amount of alcohol in the blood; expressed as a percent.
Drinking and Driving • Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and Driving under the influence (DUI) are illegal. Adult drivers 21 and over with a BAC of 0.08 are considered to be drunk driving. • Consequences can include: injuries or death, arrest, jail time, police record, restricted driving privileges, loss of license, and higher insurance rates.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems. • Problems can include: • Small head, deformities to face, hands, and feet. • Heart, liver, and kidney defects • Vision and hearing problems • CNS problems and developmental delays • Short attention span • Hyperactivity, anxiety, and social withdrawal
Alcoholism • Stages of Addiction • 1. Abuse • 2. Dependence • 3. Addiction • Steps to Recovery • 1. Admission • 2. Detoxification • 3. Counseling • 4. Recovery