here’s to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to all of life’s problems - homer simpson
TRANSCRIPT
HERE’s TO ALCOHOL:
THe cause of, and solution to all of life’s problems
-Homer simpson
OVERVIEW
• People drink to socialize, celebrate, relax• Strong effect on people• We’ve struggled to understand & manage
the power of alcohol:
* Why does it cause people to act & feel differently?
* How much is too much?
* Why do some people become addicted?
HISTORY• Has been around & used for
centuries- social, medical, cultural, religious settings
• Middle Ages- beer drunk by whole family
• 16th century used primarily for medicinal purposes
• By 18th century British parliament passed a law to encourage grain to be used for distilled spirits
• 19th century promotion of moderate use which led to prohibition
• That ban was lifted in 1933 due to illegal trade boom
TODAY’S FACTS• Laws vary- no alcohol sold in some Middle East
& Asian countries; purchase or consume ages 18-21 in most countries
• 15 million Americans suffer from alcoholism• 80,000 deaths attributed to alcohol each year• 40% of all car accident deaths in the US involve
alcohol• Legal limit for driving is .08% BAC; under 21-
0%
UNDER 21 FACTS
• IT IS ILLEGAL!!!• Contributes to more than 4700 deaths each
year• 2 in 3 high school students that drink do so
to intoxication• #1 cause of death among teens- car
accidents- around 30% of those involve alcohol
KEY TERMS• Ethanol- type of alcohol in drinks- powerful &
addictive• Fermentation- chemical process- uses fruits,
vegetables mixed with ethanol• Depressant- drug that slows the nervous
system- affects motor skills, impairs judgment• Intoxication- body is poisoned by alcohol-
physical/mental control reduced- varies person to person
• Binge drinking- 4+drinks for girls, 5+ drinks for guys in a night
• Alcohol poisoning- severe & possible deadly overdose of alcohol- breathing can stop, choke on vomit
• BAC- Blood Alcohol Concentration- the amount of alcohol in person’s blood- % - .08% in PA, intoxication can begin at .02
It’s ALL the Same!
A standard drink contains .6 fl. Oz/ 1.2 Tablespoons of pure alcohol
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS ON THE BODY
• Dulls memory, reactions, concentration, coordination
• Lowers inhibitions- poor judgments• Slurred speech, blurred vision• Irritates stomach lining• Altered emotions• Drowsiness
INFLUENCES of SHORT TERM EFFECTS
* Body size & gender* Food intake* Amount & rate of alcohol intake- liver can only break down 1 drink per hour
BAC CHARTS
LONG TERM EFFECTS
• Reduces brain tissue & destroys cells Can cause brain damage
• Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure• Kidney failure• Kills liver cells, causes cirrhosis (build up of
scar tissue- lead to liver failure)• Addiction/alcoholism• Death
THE PATH OF ALCOHOL THROUGH THE BODY
1. Mouth: alcohol enters the body.
2. Stomach: some alcohol gets into 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.
REASONS PEOPLE DRINK
ADULTS• To relax• Relieve stress• Social• Enjoy the taste• Overcome shyness• Forget problems
TEENS• Peer pressure/
”Everyone else is doing it”
• To look cool/older• Curious• To get drunk• Forget problems
ADDICTION/ALCOHOLISM• Alcohol Abuse: Pattern of excessive drinking
that leads to problems:• *Unfulfilled responsibilities, fighting, DUI• *Dangerous situations• *Relationship issues• Alcoholism -a disease in which the person
has a physical &/or psychological dependence on alcohol
• * Not limited to any age, race, ethnicity or social class
SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM
• Craving• Loss of control• Physical Dependence• Tolerance• Health, family, legal problems• Violent, aggressive behaviors• Quiet, withdrawn/drinking alone
STAGES OF ALCOHOLISM
• 1- ABUSE- Starts with social drinking, relax, then manage stress- drink regularly- blackouts & memory loss
• 2- DEPENDENCE- Cannot stop drinking- becomes central focus- tries to hide the problem, makes excuses & blames others
• 3- ADDICTION- Most important thing in person's life, which is out of control- does not realize or acknowledge; liver damage is common
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gVzVIBc_g