Alcohol, Tobacco, & Drugs: Ch 13- Alcohol: A Dangerous Drug

1. Alcohol, Tobacco, & Drugs:Ch 13- Alcohol: A Dangerous Drug Essential Question: How does alcohol affect the body?

3. Alcohol Facts: • It’s an illegal drug for ANYONE under the age of 21 • Anyone under the legal drinking age (21) who drinks is violating the LAW! And runs the RISK of: * being arrested * being fined * acquiring a criminal record • It is the most misunderstood drug • Over half the violent crimes is U.S. involve alcohol

4. FACT: • Alcohol is a Depressant and directly effects the Central Nervous System.

5. 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. 6.Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 0.2 oz per hour. Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy.

6. Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) • It’s a way to measure the level of alcohol in a person’s body • Can be influenced by: * gender * body weight * amount of food in stomach * rate of drinking • Under 21, considered legally intoxicated in most states at BAL of .02 • Adults, considered legally intoxicated in most states at BAL of .10 One standard drink= interferes with person’s * judgment *reflexes *vision

8. Standard Drinking Size 1.25 oz of Liquor 10 oz Wine Cooler 6 oz of Wine 12 oz of Beer

9. Alcohol content • Beers - 2-6% (some specialty beers stronger- malt liquors similar to beer, but higher alcohol content) • Table wines – 10-15% • Hard liquors - 40-55% • Proof (also referred to as it’s “strength”) is twice the alcohol content Example: whiskey may be 50% alcohol- it’s 100 proof!

10. Alcohol content- Why it’s Important to Know……. • The higher the proof, the faster a person becomes intoxicated. • Alcohol contains calories so……….. As proof increases, so does calorie content!

11. How the Effects Differ by Sex 2 Major factors involved in intoxication: 1- body weight 2- % body fat Females: Become intoxicated more easily than males • Have a higher fat-to-tissue ratio • In general, hormone levels influence alcohol metabolism: Therefore, alcohol tolerance varies during menstrual cycles • Some evidence that birth control pills reduces alcohol tolerance Males: stomach usually oxidizes alcohol more efficiently, so less alcohol passes into blood stream

14. Short-term Effects • Impaired judgments, vision, balance, coordination • Alcohol poisoning, blackouts, coma or death • Change in behavior, emotions • Painful hangover symptoms – stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea

16. Long-term Effects Diseases of the Liver • Hepatitis: an inflammation or infections of the liver that can cause: fever yellowing of the skin weakness sometimes death • Cirrhosis : a disease caused by alcohol abuse • Liver cells are permanently replaced by useless scar tissue • Liver can no longer metabolize food properly so a result is digestive problems Cirrhosis of the Liver

17. More Long Term Effects • Damage to heart muscle • Increases risk of heart disease • Woman’s risk for breast cancer increases • Lower one’s white blood cell count- harder time fighting off infections • Kills brain cells- leads to irreversible memory damage • Increases chance of liver, esophagus, pharynx, and larynx cancer

18. Binge Drinking • Binge drinking : drinking large amounts of alcohol quickly * 5 or more drinks in a row for boys *4 or more in a row for girls. • People under 21 still get alcohol easily with one goal - to get drunk- typically by play drinking games • Often begins around age 13, tends to increase during adolescence, peaks in young adulthood (ages 18 to 22), then gradually decreases • .4% enough to put one in a coma/ verge of death

20. What Happens to Your Body When You Get Alcohol Poisoning? • It is common for someone who drinks excessive amounts of alcohol to vomit since alcohol is an irritant to the stomach. There is then the danger of choking on vomit. • Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex (which prevents choking). A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. • The mixture of alcohol and marijuana are a deadly combination. Once someone’s body begins to reject the alcohol, the person’s natural reaction is to vomit. Marijuana inhibits the body’s reaction to the alcohol, keeping a person from being able to vomit.

21. What Happens to Your Body When You Get Alcohol Poisoning? • A person's blood alcohol level (BAL) can continue to rise even while he or she is passed out. • Even after a person stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body. • Dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off.

22. Signs/Symptoms/Consequences ALCOHOL POISONING • Confusion, coma, or person cannot be aroused. (Unconscious or semi-consciousness) • Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute) • Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths) • Hypothermia (low body temperature), pale or bluish skin color, paleness • Vomiting, and choking on vomit • Seizures • Strong odor of alcohol • permanent brain damage, or death

24. What Should I Do If I Suspect Someone Has Alcohol Poisoning? Appropriate Action • Do not wait for all symptoms to be present. • Be aware that a person who has passed out may die and could be suffering from alcohol poisoning • Any suspicion of an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help. • Don't try to guess the level of drunkenness.

26. THE HANG OVER • Alcohol robs your brain cells of water and glucose (the brain's food), which is why you experience hangover symptoms such as headache, dehydration, and the shakes the day after a night of heavy drinking. • Though there are lots of so-called "hangover cures," the only real cure is time. The best thing to do the day after heavy drinking is down lots of water and try to rest if possible.

28. Alcoholism What are the three stages of Alcoholism? • Abuse – Someone who cannot drink alcohol in moderation or at appropriate times. • Dependence – Someone who is psychologically dependent on alcohol. They feel the constant desire and need for alcohol. • Addiction – Someone who is both psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol. Alcohol is their number one priority and they suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they do not get their regular fix. The state of being psychologically and physically addicted to alcohol

29. Signs of Alcohol Abuse • Frequent absences • Unexplained bruises or accidents • Irritability • Loss of memory (blackouts) • Changes in peer-group associations & friendships • Damaged relationships with family members or close friends • Odor on breath • Intoxication • Difficulty focusing, glazed eyes • Uncharacteristically passive or aggressive behavior • Decline in personal appearance/hygiene • Decline in school/work performance

31. You cannot control Genes Environment You can control Drinking before age 21 Associating with people who drink Bending to peer pressure Drinking beyond moderation Drinking at inappropriate times Drinking alone Risk Factors

32. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • A highly variable group of birth defects including mental retardation, deficient growth, central nervous system dysfunction, and malformations of the skull and face that tend to occur in the offspring of women who consume large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy • No one knows exactly how much alcohol must reach the unborn child to cause such deformities.

33. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: The Innocent

34. Alcoholism • Not only affects the person involved but it also has huge affects on family members. • Mental, physical and emotional abuse are all types of abusive behaviors that are typically suffered by family members of an alcoholic. • It is not uncommon for an alcoholic to resume drinking especially in response to a traumatic event such as a death of a loved one or loss of a job.

35. Recovery from Alcoholism • Withdrawal • Process of discontinuing a drug to which the body has become addicted • Suffer from extreme nervousness, headaches, tremors, or seizures. • Usually last a few days • Sometimes alcoholic needs medical supervision

36. Recovery from Alcoholism There is hope for alcoholics as there are many options available: • Inpatient and outpatient programs: both provide therapy • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) • 12 steps is their recovery method Programs designed to help family members of alcoholics: • Al-Anon • Help family members talk about problems of living with an alcoholic • Alateen • Specifically help teenagers with same situation • S.A.D.D. • Students Against Destructive Decisions, formerly Students Against Driving Drunk

37. Alcoholism Where can you find help? • The Phone Book • Online at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org • Local Church • Hospitals