Binge Drinking and Blood Alcohol Level

1. Binge Drinking andBlood Alcohol Level Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush This power point was downloaded 11/2010. It was originally created by Pearson Education Inc and freely distributed via the internet for use on college campuses. It has been edited for High School Health class

2. The Frequency and Effects of Binge-Drinking Among College Students Table 12.2

3. REVIEW: The Chemical Makeup Of Alcohol • Ethyl alcohol or ethanol – the intoxicating substance • Fermentation – yeast organisms break down plant sugars, yielding ethanol and carbon dioxide • Distillation – alcohol vapors from the fermented mash are collected and mixed with water • Proof – measure of percentage of alcohol, the alcohol percentage is 50 percent of the given proof • 100 proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol by volume

4. Immediate Effects • The primary action of alcohol is to depress the central nervous system • Diuretic – results in fluid being drawn out of cerebrospinal fluid and leads to mitochondrial dehydration • Alcohol irritates the gastrointestinal system • Hangover • Congeners – forms of alcohol that are metabolized slower than ethanol and more toxic • Drug interactions

5. Long Term Effects • Effects on the nervous system • Cardiovascular effects • Antithrombotic effect • Liver disease • Alcoholic hepatitis • Cirrhosis • Cancer • Irritant to gastrointestinal system • Inflammation of the pancreas • Block absorption of calcium • Interferes with immunity

6. Alcohol And Pregnancy • Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) – alcohol consumed during the first trimester may affect organ development, alcohol consumed during the last trimester may affect CNS development • Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) – children with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure but with fewer than the full physical or behavioral symptoms of FAS

7. Women And Alcoholism • Trend is for women, especially college-age women to drink more heavily • Women get addicted faster with less alcohol • Women alcoholics have death rates 50 to 100 percent higher than male-alcoholics • Only 14% of women who need treatment get it

8. Alcoholic Beverages and Their Alcohol Equivalencies Figure 12.2

9. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)or Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) • BAC – is the ratio of alcohol to total blood volume • Despite individual differences, alcohol produces some general behavioral effects depending on BAC • Learned behavioral tolerance – person learns to modify their behavior to appear sober despite a high BAC • The Legal LIMIT for a person 21 and over in PA is .08 or 8- 100th or 2/25 The LEGAL LIMIT for a person under 21 in PA is 0.00

10. Psychological and Physical Effects of Various Blood-Alcohol Concentration Levels Table 12.3

11. Approximate Blood Alcohol Concentration Based on Body Weight and Number of Drinks Figure 12.3

12. Absorption And Metabolism • Factors that influence how quickly body absorbs alcohol: • Alcohol concentration in beverage (includes “proof” of alcohol and mixed drinks vs “regular”) • Amount of food and non-alcoholic drinks in stomach • Metabolism • Age , Gender, diet, other factors • Body Mass Index • Mood • Use of other drugs such as Tobacco or Marijuana

13. Other factors that influences BAL/BAC • Body Weight • Body Height • Personal Tolerance • Maturity level • Speed in which a person consumes alcohol • Exercise (dangerous due to decreased motor functions)

14. Women And Alcohol • Different body fat composition than men • Women have half the amount of alcohol hydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. If a woman and a man drink the same amount of alcohol, the woman will have a BAC that is 30% higher

15. Alcohol Poisoning • Death from alcohol poisoning can be caused by central nervous system and respiratory depression or inhalation of vomit or fluid into the lungs • Signs of alcohol poisoning include: • Weak, rapid pulse • Unusual or irregular breathing pattern • Cool, damp, pale, bluish skin • Mental confusion • Vomiting • Seizures

16. Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism • Alcohol abuse – interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships or entails any violation of the law • Alcoholism – when personal and health problems related to alcohol use are severe and stopping alcohol use results in withdrawal symptoms

17. The Causes Of Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism • Biological and family factors • Alcoholism is 4-5x more common among children of alcoholics • Social and cultural factors • Social pressure • Family attitude toward drinking

18. Effects Of Alcoholism On The Family • Children in alcoholic dysfunctional families generally assume at least one of the following roles: • Family hero • Scapegoat • Lost child • Mascot

19. Costs To Society • Half of all traffic accidents are attributable to alcohol • In 1998, alcohol related costs to society were $184.6 billion when health insurance, criminal justice costs, treatment costs, and lost productivity were factored in • Responsible for > 25% of nation’s medical costs and lost earnings • Every underage drinker costs society and average of $4,680 a year.

20. Alcohol Discussion Question: • Discuss situations when you have been drinking or you know someone who was drinking and thought that you/they were in control but may have had a high blood alcohol content. Can you safely trust your own judgment?