Alcohol

ALCOHOL NOTEMAKERA

Alcohol is a depressant. It alters mood, thinking and behavior. The intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic drinks is ethyl alcohol (ETHANOL-Psychoactive Chemical). Pure alcohol has no color or taste. Alcoholic drinks get their color and flavor from the ingredients used to make them.

The Least You Need to Know:1. Short term vs. Long term effects…2. What is a ‘standard drink…’3. What is BAC?4. What is oxidation?5. How long to oxidize 1 drink?6. Sobering Myths…7. Factors influencing absorption…8. F.A.S. (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)9. Factors contributing to alcoholism.

Path of Alcohol

  

                

1. Mouth: alcohol enters the body. 2. Stomach: some alcohol gets in the bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine. 3. Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. 4. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. 5. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. 6. Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 0.5 oz per hour. Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy.

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL and

THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN

Brain- first area depressed: speech, thought, restraint, judgment, inhibitions (Social regulators) • Then, spinal cord reflexes and respiration which can be fatal.• black-outs may occur (periods of time that can’t be remembered when sober)•disturbed sleep patterns, change in REM sleep

Adolescent Brain Changes

These brain changes are relevant to adolescent behaviorPrefrontal cortex (PFC) is

pruned; not fully developed until mid-20’s

Amygdala (and n.a.) show less pruning and tend to dominate the PFC

judgment

rewardsystem

amygdala nucleus

accumbens

prefrontalcortex

This imbalance leads to...

planned thinking impulsiveness

self-control risk-taking

more “hot” talking, less “cool” talking

PFC

amygdala

I like to use drugs

!!

Effects on Body Continued Cardiovascular- dilates blood

vessels which causes loss of heat *initially increases heart rate, then

slows it down Gastrointestinal- toxic effect on

stomach lining *irritates ulcers

*increases acid and pepsin secretions (digestive fluid)

*nauseant Sexual Stimulation- too much

alcohol abolishes sexual function

Most Notable Effects on Liver

Function of Liver- It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion.

Process of Filtering blood called Oxidation and removes about 1 drink per hour Blood volume circulates through liver every 4

minutesLiver Damage

cells in liver scarred, destroyed or fatty deposits Called Cirrhosis (destroyed), Fibrosis (fat)

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Blood Alcohol Concentration

Blood Alcohol Concentration: measured in percentages

*.10 means 10ml of alcohol per 100mL of blood *maximum BAC is reached within 20-30 minutes

Process of ‘filtering’ blood is called: Oxidation

Occurs in Liver and removes about 1 drink per hour

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Effects of Alcohol ChartFactors Influencing Absorption• Amount/Size of Drinks• Food• Body Size• Drug Interaction (s)?• Gender

Gender differences: women tend to be more affected by alcohol than men (< of alcohol metabolizing enzyme)

What are the Legal Limits?

• You• > Age 21

1 Drink = ^.02

Alcohol Poisoning

Can happen in one episode of binge drinking can be fatal choke on own vomit or midbrain shuts down which regulates breathing

Call 911 if you notice: vomiting, seizures, stupor, coma, can’t awaken, pale skin

*once a person passes out, their BAC continues to rise

Absorption and Metabolism

Absorption and metabolism of alcohol: *rapid absorption *stomach absorbs ¼ *rest is absorbed in small intestine *liver breaks down alcohol in about 1 drink an hour

Amounts of alcohol: (2/3 ounce of pure ethanol) Same for all below!! *shot of hard liquor (86 proof/ 43% alcohol) *wine- 5 ounces (12% alcohol) *can of beer 12 ounces (4.5% alcohol)

“Drunk Goggles Demonstration”

Movie clip

Standard Drinks

1 bottle, 4 % - 6 % 1 small glass of wine, 10% - 14% 1 shot 30mL , (hard liquor), 37% - 43%

A standard drink contains approximately 10 grams of alcohol.

This is equivalent to:

Generalization…

Bill (who is 55, has a good job, graduated and drinks in moderation….) has 4 beers over the course of 2 hours what is his BAC……

Use a designated driver, or one will be appointed for you !

Nearly ½ of all TRAFFIC FATALITITES are related to DUI.

DUI•Estimated Cost = $________• 2 year revocation license

Zero Tolerance• 3 Month/6 Month Suspension

Implied Consent

Through the process of obtaining a driver’s license a person in Illinois one gives consent to chemical testing. If a police officer has a reasonable belief that person is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the officer can request the person to submit to testing.

1.Blood 2. Breath 3. Urine

Sobering Myths

Exercise…. Showering… Drinking Coffee….

Only TIME will sober you up

Factors Contributing Toward Alcoholism

Genetics = 2-7 Chance

Drinking < 15 = 4 X

Chance High

Tolerance Levels

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A national survey found that more than half of women age 15-44 drank while pregnant.

FAS is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects

FAS is not just a childhood disorder; exposure to alcohol as a fetus can cause a wide range of lifelong physical and mental disabilities.

Alcohol Essential Questions

Short term vs. Long term effects…Can you identify a ‘standard drink’ What is B A C ?Legal Limit for….YOU: ADULTS: If BAC is .12 what % of blood is alcohol?What is oxidation? Organ responsible? Oxidize 1

drink every:Sobering Myths:Factors influencing absorption:#1 Cause of Mental retardation in the U.S. is

______________ (also called . . . )Factors contributing to alcoholism.