Ch. 21A. Leslie

Alcohol

Alcohol or ethanol is a powerful andaddictive drug that can affect braindevelopment for teen who use alcohol.

Ethanol can be produced synthetically by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant- drug that slows the central nervous system.

Using alcohol slows:Reaction TimeImpairs VisionDiminishes Judgment

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

If a person consumes too much alcohol, her or she will become intoxicated.

Alcohol stays in the system until the liver can metabolize it, or break it down.

Physical and mental impairment begins with the first drink of alcohol and increases as more alcohol is consumed.PancreatitisVomiting and NauseaScarring of the liverDehydrationHeart rate and becomes irregularBody temperature dropsRisk of stroke

Short-Term Effects

Body Size- Smaller person feels it sooner than a larger person.

Gender- Moves faster into the bloodstream in females.

Food- Slows down the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream

Rate of Intake- Faster than the liver can break it down results in intoxication.

Amount- Increases the level of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Medicine- Can heighten the effects of alcohol.

Factors that Influence Alcohol’s Effects

Alcohol use can have long-term effects on a user’s physical, mental/emotional, and social health.

Long term effects include:Damage to brain cellsReduction in brain sizeIncreased blood pressureBuildup of fat cellsStomach ulcersDestruction of the pancreas

Long-Term Effects

Binge drinking causes unintentional accidents, intentional injuries, STDs, unintentional pregnancy, cardiovascular problems, liver disease, and sexual dysfunction.

Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning. Since alcohol is a depressant, involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex that prevents chocking may be impaired.

It is common for someone who drank excessive alcohol to vomit since alcohol is an irritant to the stomach. There is then the danger of choking on vomit, which could cause death by asphyxiation in a person who is not conscious because of intoxication.

Binge Drinking & Alcohol Poisoning

A person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) 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. It is dangerous to assume the person will be fine by sleeping it off. Symptoms include:

Mental confusion, stupor, coma.Vomiting.Seizures.Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute).Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths).Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color,

paleness.Put the person on their side and CALL 9-1-1

immediately.

Alcohol Poisoning

Each of these beverages contain the same amount of pure alcohol.

Beer: 4% Wine: 10%Spirits: 40% ( Alcohol by volume)

No legal limit for people under the age of 21. Consequences: arrest and DUI ( driving under

the influence)21 and over BAC: 0.08Consequences: arrest and DUI ( driving under

the influence) license revoked for 90 days.DUI will go on your record and most

occupation will not hire and or fire you for a DUI.

Drinking and Driving

In 2011, 9,878 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. These alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

In Alabama, over 300 car crash fatalities were alcohol related.

Don’t drink and Drive.Call a friend, stay at the house.

Drunk Driving Statistics