ALCOHOL

THE MOST WIDELY ABUSED DRUG IN THE U.S.

Drug

Any chemical that causes changes in a Persons body or behavior

Illegal Drug

Chemicals that are forbidden by law because of their dangerous

and often unpredictable eects

Depressant
Alcohol is classified as a ______________.

A DEPRESSED CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Depressants Slow down the central nervous system, the respiratory system,
motor coordination and intellectual performance

Slows down breathing

Normal Respiratory rate
Respiratory distress
Loss of pain perceptions
Slows reaction times

For a teen is 14-20 breaths per minute

Is fewer than 8 breaths per minute

THE PATH OF CONSUMPTION

http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/CollegeStudents/anatomy/Interac
tiveBody_flash.aspx
1. Alcohol enters the mouth
2. Travels down the esophagus
3. Enters the stomach ( some alcohol is absorbed into the
bloodstream)

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Then moves through the small intestine where most of the alcohol is then absorbed into the bloodstream
through the lining of the small intestine
The alcohol infused blood is pumped through the heart
To the brain ( CNS is now impacted by the presence of alcohol
The alcohol is processed by the liver
And removed from the body through urine, sweat or in some cases vomiting ( vomiting is the bodies
defense to remove high volumes of alcohol as quickly as possible to avoid coma or death )

RATE OF ABSORPTION
Many things affect the rate in which
alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream:

Age

Gender

Body weight or composition/ small body size

Food in the stomach

Other drugs or mediation in the body

Fatigue or illness

ARE ALL DRINKS EQUAL?

One can of beer (12 oz) =
one small glass of wine (5 oz)
= one small shot of alcohol (11.5 oz)
All may have an equal impact on a drinker. ( if a mixed
drink has more than one shot of alcohol, the impact is
obviously increased )

All 3 forms of alcohol have the same potential for

intoxication and addiction

Type of

Drink

Volume

Of

Serving

VOLUME OF ALCOHOL
Volume of
Serving

Concentration Concentration Total amount

of alcohol as of alcohol in
of alcohol in
a percent
decimal form the product
(proof)
(in oz.)

Beer

12 oz

5%

0.05

0.6

Wine

5 oz

12%

0.12

0.6

Hard
Liquor

1.5 oz

40%

0.40

0.6

Percentage

Of Alcohol
(in decimal form)

Total Amount
of Alcohol in
Serving

BINGE DRINKING
intentionally drinking as much as you can, as fast as you can, with the purpose of getting
drunk ( drinking games ).

Males: 5 or more drinks in a brief period of time

Females: 4 or more drinks in a brief period of time

( less time than the body can properly process the alcohol safety )

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcoholuse.htm
(Alcohol Use and Your Health Fact Sheet)

IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL SIGNS AND SIDE-EFFECTS OF

BINGE DRINKING & OVER-CONSUMPTION
Physical abilities and
senses impaired

Dehydration due to a
loss of water

Diculty breathing due

to respiratory distress

Depressed motor
centers: pain sensors
slowed

Mental confusion or
blackouts

Motor vehicles
accidents: poor
judgment and
coordination

Coma due to severely

depressed CNS

Death due to toxic

overdose.

Vomiting to rid the

body of toxins:
alcohol poisoning.

BLACKOUTS
Blacking out does not mean passing out.
A blackout is a period of alcohol induced amnesia caused by excessive consumption
of alcohol, during which a person actively engages in behaviors but the brain is unable
to create memories for what transpires.

Blackouts typically happen at high blood alcohol levels.

Blood Alcohol Concentration

BAC is the amount of alcohol present in your blood as a person drinks

It is tested by blood, urine and breathalyzer

New York State legal limit for BAC is 0.08

There is a zero tolerance in New York state for a teenager driving while intoxicated

(see BAC tables on page 58 of Ibook)

PROGRESSIVE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Blood Alcohol
Concentration

Changes in Feelings

Impaired Activities

0.01 0.05

Relaxation, sense of well

being
Loss of inhibition

Alertness, judgment,
coordination

0.06 0.10

Pleasure, sleepiness,
nausea

Fine motor skills, reasoning,

visual tracking

0.11 0.20

Mood swings, anger,

sadness

Depth perception,
inappropriate social
behavior,

0.21 0.30

Aggression, depression,
stupor

Slurred speech, lack of

balance

0.31 0.40

Unconsciousness, death
possible, coma

Loss of bladder control,

difficulty breathing

0.41 and greater

DEATH

Slowed heart rate

DRINKING AND DRIVING

In 2012, 10.3 million people reported driving under the
influence of illicit drugs in the past year.

About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of

drunk driving are repeat offenders.
Over 1.2 million drivers were arrested in 2011 for driving
under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Males were more likely than females (15.1 vs. 7.9

percent) to drive drunk.
The rate of drunk driving is highest among 21 to 25 year
olds (23.4 percent).

In fatal crashes in 2011, the highest percentage of drunk

drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (32 percent),
followed by ages 25 to 34 (30 percent) and 35 to 44 (24
percent).

LONG TERM HEALTH

EFFECTS

High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems

Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver and colon

Learning and memory problems, including Dementia and poor school performance
Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment

Alcohol dependance, or alcoholism

TOLERANCE, DEPENDENCE AND ADDICTION

Tolerance-

Builds as there is repeated exposure, the eects of the drug lessens

requiring users to raise the dosage for the desired eect.

As tolerance builds, risks and danger DO NOT decrease

High tolerance is always a sign of increased risk for alcoholism and

should be considered dangerous

Physical Dependence-

Defined by the presence of withdrawal

syndrome - the body cannot cope without alcohol

Psychological Dependence-

Behavioral dependance, drug cravings,

the tendency to relapse

SIGNS OF ADDICTION/WITHDRAWAL

tremors

Agitation

Anxiety and panic attacks

Paranoia and delusion

Hallucinations

Nausea and vomiting

Increased Body temperature

Elevated blood pressure

Convulsions

Seizures

Delirium tremens - this will kill a person

during withdrawl

ALCOHOLISM
Many people drink to belong and to boost their self esteem
o You may be more likely to abuse alcohol or become dependent
if you:
o Are a young adult under peer pressure
o Have depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or
schizophrenia
o Have easy access to alcohol
o Have low self-esteem
o Have problems with relationships
o Live a stressful lifestyle
o Live in a culture alcohol use is more common and accepted
o Alcohol abuse is rising. Around 1 out of 4 people in the United
States have a drinking problem.

TREATMENTS FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION

Detoxification programs

Rehabilitation programs

Intervention

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alanon

alateen

ADDITIONAL FACTS AND STATISTICS

World Health Organization

Alcohol Fact Sheet
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs349/en/

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and

Alcoholism
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcoholconsumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics