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The Effects of Alcohol on the Body: Short and Long-Term Impacts

Learn about the immediate and lasting effects of alcohol on the brain, liver, blood vessels, kidneys, stomach, and overall health. Explore the dangers of driving under the influence (DWI), chronic liver problems, tolerance, dependence, and the impact of alcohol on pregnancy.

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The Effects of Alcohol on the Body: Short and Long-Term Impacts

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  1. Chapter 25 Lesson 2 • What Alcohol does to the Body

  2. What Alcohol Does to the Body

  3. Short Term Effects of Alcohol • Brain – Alcohol reaches the brain almost immediately • Depresses the activity of the brain • Slows the work of the Central Nervous System • Thought process are disorganized, memory and concentration are dulled

  4. Short Term Effects of Alcohol • Liver – In process called oxidation, alcohol changed to water, carbon dioxide and energy • Liver can oxidize 1/3 to ½ ounce of alcohol an hour • No way to speed up process • Cold shower, coffee will not counter the effects

  5. Short Term Effects of Alcohol • Blood vessels – Blood carries alcohol to all parts of the body, including heart, liver and brain • Blood vessels dilate, or widen, increases blood flow to skin and makes it feel warm and flush • Causes body to lose heat through radiation and body temperature decreases • Increases risk of hypothermia

  6. Short Term Effects of Alcohol • Kidneys – Alcohol effects pituitary gland, which acts on the kidneys, causing them to produce more urine • This is reason people feel dehydrated after heavy drinking

  7. Short Term Effects of Alcohol • Stomach – Alcohol immediately absorbed into blood stream • Food can slow process, bt will not stop effects • Alcohol increases flow of gastric juices • This can irritate stomach lining and can cause bleeding

  8. Driving Under the Influence • DWI – Driving while intoxicated • BAC – Blood alcohol concentration- amount of alcohol in blood • Signs of intoxication begin at .02

  9. Driving Under the Influence • Reduces ability to judge distances, speeds and turns • Reduces ability to judge accurately one’s own capabilities and limitations • Increases the tendency to take risks • Shows reflexes • Adds to forgetfulness to take precautions such as using signals when turning • Reduces the ability to concentrate

  10. Consequences of DWI • Leading death among teenagers • 11 teens killed and 350 injured every day • 50% of all fatalities of innocent passengers caused by drunk driver

  11. Other Costs of DWI • Immediate confiscation of driver’s license • Arrest, trip to jail, court appearance, and fine • Possible suspension of driver’s license • Possible mandatory jail sentence • Cost of bail to get out of jail • Higher insurance rate • Possible lawsuits

  12. Efforts to Reduce DWI • Legal limit of 0.1 or 0.08 – for drunk driving • M.A.D.D. – Mothers against drunk driving • S.A.D.D. – Students against destructive behavior • Designated drivers

  13. Long Term Effects of Drinking • Vitamin deficiency • Stomach and skin problems • Loss of appetite • Permanent damage to liver and Central nervous system

  14. Long Term Effects of Drinking • Brain damage – Alcohol use may decrease brain size • Destroys brain cells Loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory and problem solving • Can interfere with everyday functions

  15. Chronic Liver Problems • Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fats • Increased amount of fat prevents liver from functioning normally • Interferes with growth of new liver cells

  16. Chronic Liver Problems • Prolonged, heavy use leads to Cirrhosis-(scarring) • Liver tissue is damaged and replaced by scar tissue • Hepatitis – Inflammation or infection of the liver • Can cause weakness, jaundice, fever and sometimes death • Alcoholic Hepatitis – caused by toxic effects from alcohol

  17. Tolerance and Dependence • Tolerance – Regular users need to use more and more to get the same effect • Withdrawal – Symptoms range from Jumpiness, sleeplessness, sweating and poor appetite to severe tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations

  18. The Multiplier Effect • Synergistic effect – Occurs when 2 or more medicines are taken simultaneously • Alcohol combined with other drugs or medicines produces this effect

  19. Alcohol and Pregnancy • Fetal Alcohol syndrome – Condition in which a fetus has bee adversely affected mentally ad physically by its mother’s heavy alcohol use during pregnancy

  20. FAS Symptoms • Low birth weight • Impaired speech • Cleft palate • General weakness, slow body growth • Facial abnormalities • Poor coordination and heart defects

  21. FAS Symptoms • Mental retardation • Poor attention span • Nervousness • Hyperactivity • Fetal Alcohol syndrome is leading cause of mental retardation in the United States

  22. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • 5,000 FAS babies born each year • 100% preventable

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