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Why is A lcohol Dangerous?. In your notebooks list reasons why it is dangerous to consume alcohol. Alcohol is involved in:. 33% of suicides 50% of homicides 62% of assaults 68% of manslaughter cases 41% of traffic fatalities 50% of all drowning
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Why is Alcohol Dangerous? In your notebooks list reasons why it is dangerous to consume alcohol.
Alcohol is involved in: 33% of suicides 50% of homicides 62% of assaults 68% of manslaughter cases 41% of traffic fatalities 50% of all drowning Domestic abuse, child abuse, neglect and work place injuries
Alcohol • Ethanol – the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages • Produced through fermentation of fruits, vegetables and grains • Fermentation – the chemical action of yeast on sugars • Water, flavoring and minerals are mixed with ethanol to produce beverages such as wine and beer
Immediate Effects • Depressant – a drug that slows the central nervous system • Effects motor skills • Slows reaction time • Impairs vision • Diminish clear thinking and judgment
What happens to the body? • Alcohol travels through the bloodstream to the brain • Liver metabolizes the alcohol in the bloodstream and makes it less active • Metabolism – the process by which the body breaks down substances • Kidneys filter the neutralized particles and other waste products from the blood and produce urine
Intoxication • Intoxication – the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced • Affected by • Body size • Gender • Stomach contents
BAC BAC – BloodAlcoholConcentration – the amount alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a percentage
Alcohol Abuse • AlcoholAbuse – the excessive use of alcohol • 25% of all youth is exposed to alcohol abuse • BingeDrinking – drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting • Can be fatal • Can cause alcohol poisoning
Alcohol and Drug Interactions • Alcohol and drugs do not mix • A factor in ¼ of all emergency room admissions • Multiplier effect – medication has a greater or different effect than intended • Typical Interactions: • Slows absorption increasing the time the drug is in the body • Medication may be broken down faster, decreasing its effectiveness • Increase effects of some drugs
Other Dangers of Alcohol Abuse Drug Interactions DWI Alcohol Poisoning Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Long term damage to major body systems and organs Alcoholism
Driving Under The Influence • DWI – Driving while intoxicated • DUI – Driving under the influence .02 – Driver shows signs of intoxication .08 – Maximum BAC for a driver • Consequences of a DWI • Harm to driver and others • Restricted driving privileges • Loss of license • Arrest or jail time • Higher insurance rates • Fines
Alcohol Poisoning • AlcoholPoisoning – a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose • Effects of Alcohol Poisoning • Mental confusion, stupor, coma, passing out • Slow respiration – 10 seconds between breaths • Irregular heartbeat • Hypothermia and low body temperature • Severe dehydration and vomiting • Call 911 if someone has alcohol poisoning
FAS • FetalAlcoholSyndrome – a group of alcohol related birth defects that include physical and mental problems • Effects of FAS • Deformities of head, hands and feet • Heart, liver and kidney defects • Learning difficulties; leading cause of mental retardation • No safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant
Alcoholism • Alcoholism – a disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol • Alcoholic – an addict who is dependent on alcohol • Influenced by genetic and environmental factors • Symptoms: • Craving – strong need to drink • Loss of control – cannot limit • Physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms • Tolerance – need more to feel the same effects
Stages of Alcoholism Abuse – a person drinks and becomes intoxicated regularly Dependence – Physical need for alcohol; alcohol is the central focus Addiction – alcohol is the most important thing in person’s life
Treatment • Steps: • Admission – person admits to having a problem and asks for help • Detoxification – a process in which the body adjusts to functioning without alcohol • Counseling – gets help to learn to live without alcohol • Recovery – the process of learning to live an alcohol free life • Sobriety – living without alcohol