CHAPTER 2

LESSON 8 ALCOHOL
ALCOHOL
• The major active ingredient (the drug) in
alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol.
• It is a natural substance created through
the chemical process of fermentation.
• Ethyl alcohol is a central nervous system
(CNS) depressant.
• CNS depressants can produce feelings of
sedation, disorientation, or unconsciousness
and even death, depending on the amount and
the manner in which they are used.
• Alcohol is also a psychoactive, or mind-
altering, drug.
• Alcoholism - causes, symptoms, diagnosis,
treatment, pathology
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5DxD6
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HOW MUCH ALCOHOL IS IN ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES?
• The amount of alcohol in different
alcoholic beverages usually is described
per container.
• The amount of ethyl alcohol in a normal
serving of each type of alcoholic
beverage is about the same.
• For example, a can of beer, a glass of
wine, and a shot all contain about the
same amount of alcohol.
• A person who drinks one type of
alcoholic beverages is just as much at
risk for problems as a person who drinks
another.
HOW DOES ALCHOL AFFECT THE BODY?
• Either directly or indirectly, alcohol
negatively affects every major organ in the
body.
• Immediate effects
• It is absorbed directly from the stomach and
intestines into the bloodstream and carried
throughout the body.
• Oxidation- when alcohol enters the body it is
combined with oxygen, mainly in the liver
• The liver is capable of oxidizing about one serving
of alcohol per hour. Any more than this can cause
the drinker to become intoxicated or drunk.
• Loss of muscle coordination, less acute hearing
and vision, and unclear thinking and speech, and a
lack of restraint.
• Heavy intoxications can result in depressed
breathing, loss of consciousness, stopping of the
heart and death.
• Hangover- this condition is characterized by a
headache, stomachache, nausea, and thowing up.
HOW DOES ALCHOL AFFECT THE BODY?

• Long-term effects • Thinking processes is reduced as brain

• Increased stomach acid cells are destroyed.

• Poisoning of the liver, leads to liver • Alcohol - How Alcohol Affects The
disease called hepatitis and cirrhosis Body - What Causes A Hangover
• Increased incidence if cancer
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZ
• Permanent brain, pancreas, and kidney Pb1uQqmY&pbjreload=101
damage
• Blood is less likely to clot efficiently
EFFECTS ON UNBORN CHILDREN

• Mothers who drink while pregnant can • FAS babies can also have short attention
cause irreversible damage to their unborn spans and be educationally handicapped.
children causing FAS.
• What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) babies are
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6e
not as large as normal babies and often
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experience slow growth.
• They might have facial abnormalities, and
sometimes their internal organs are
damaged.
WHAT ABOUT ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY?
• People who are dependent on alcohol are known as
alcoholics.
• One out of every ten people who drink will become an
alcoholic.
• The stages of alcoholism:
• The early stage: drinking in secret, lying about drinking,
and feeling guilty, drinking to relieve stress, etc.
• The middle stage: drinking alone, avoiding family and
friends, attempting to control drinking, increased
blackouts, problems with relationships, and physical
problems.
• Chronic or advanced stage: long periods of heavy
drinking, blackouts, waking up sick and drinking
to feel better.
• Withdrawal from heavy alcohol use can cause
death. Within 12 to 72 hours after taking the last
drink, an alcoholic begins sweating and shaking,
and becomes anxious and very sick called
delirium tremens (DT’S).
• Alcohol Dependence & Withdrawal
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RxATXUR
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WHAT ARE THE LEGAL RISKS OF ALCOHOL
CONSUMPTION?
• For any person under the age of 21, any alcohol • Nearly one half of all crash fatalities are
consumption is illegal.
alcohol-related and 65 percent of us will
• Blood-alcohol level (BAC) IS FROM .05 TO .10
be involved in an alcohol related crash
percent, the central nervous system is depressed to
the point that normal functioning becomes difficult.
even if we never drink.
• In most states a BAC level of .08 to .10 is the level • Almost half of all teenagers who commit
of legal intoxication. suicide are drinking at the same time.
• Alcohol in small amounts affects judgement, Nearly one third of the people who die in
reduces attention and tolerance to light, causes
alcohol-related crashes are teenagers.
drowsiness and slower reaction time.