Chapter 4A Lecture

Chapter 4A:
In Depth: Alcohol

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 Alcohol

• Recommended in moderation
• No more than one drink/day for women, or
two drinks/day for men
• A drink is the amount of a beverage that
provides ½ fluid ounce of pure alcohol
• 12 oz beer
• 10 oz wine cooler
• 4–5 oz wine
• 1½ oz 80-proof whiskey, scotch, gin, or vodka

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 Alcohol (cont.)

• People who should avoid drinking alcohol:

• Women who are or may become pregnant, or
who are breastfeeding
• People with a history of alcoholism
• People taking medications that interact with
alcohol
• People who are driving, operating machinery,
or engaging in other tasks that require
attention and coordination
• Anyone younger than the legal drinking age

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 Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Intake

• Social and health benefits

• Reduced stress, enhanced confidence,
stimulated appetite, improved dietary intake
• Reduced cardiovascular risk: increased HDL,
lower LDL, potentially reduced blood clots
• May reduce the risk of age-related cognitive
decline or dementia

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 Concerns of Moderate Alcohol Intake

• Linked to increased risk for breast cancer,

hypertension, hemorrhagic stroke
• Increased Caloric intake and risk for obesity
• Potential for drug–alcohol interactions

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 Alcohol Metabolism

• Absorbed directly from the stomach and small

intestine
• Transported to the liver to be metabolized
• Consuming foods with some fat, protein, and
fiber can reduce blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) by up to 50%

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 Alcohol Metabolism (cont.)

• Rate of absorption depends on

• Presence or absence of food, and type of food
• Gender
• Most alcohol is oxidized in the liver
• Some alcohol is metabolized by both stomach and
liver enzymes:
• Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
• Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)

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 Alcohol Metabolism (cont.)

• Women don't oxidize as much alcohol in their

stomachs, thus leaving more there to be
absorbed
• On average, a healthy adult metabolizes the
equivalent of one drink per hour
• Excess alcohol is released back into the
bloodstream

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 Alcohol Metabolism (cont.)

• Metabolic tolerance: the liver becomes more

efficient in its breakdown of alcohol
• Functional tolerance: individuals show few signs
of impairment/intoxication, even at high BAC

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 Alcohol Abuse

• Alcohol abuse is a pattern of alcoholic

consumption resulting in distress, danger, or
harm to one's health, functioning, or
relationships
• Both chronic and occasional alcohol abuse can
lead to alcoholism

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 Alcohol Abuse (cont.)

• Binge drinking is consuming 5 or more alcoholic

drinks on one occasion (men) or 4 or more
(women)
• Increased risk for fatal falls, drownings, and
automobile accidents
• Increased risk for acts of physical violence,
vandalism and sexual assuault

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 Alcohol Abuse (cont.)

• Alcoholism: a disease characterized by chronic

alcohol dependence
• Symptoms include:
• Craving
• Loss of control
• Physical dependence
• Tolerance (the need to drink more)

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 Alcohol Abuse (cont.)

• Narcotic effect: alcohol acts as a sedative,

depressant
• Toxicity risk: high concentrations destroy cells
• Mortality risks from accidents, trauma

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 Alcohol Hangover

• Lasts up to 24 hours
• Symptoms include:
• Headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, extreme
thirst, light/sound sensitivity, mood
disturbances
• Consequences include:
• Fluid/electrolyte imbalance
• Stomach and gastric irritation/inflammation
• Metabolic disturbances
• Biological disturbances

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 Alcohol Abuse

• Reduced brain function

• Even low intakes impair reasoning and
judgment
• Teens/young adults: chronic, excessive
consumption can permanently damage brain
structure and function
• Alcohol poisoning
• Serious metabolic response to very high intakes
• Reduces oxygen level reaching the brain; can
result in death from respiratory or cardiac failure

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 Alcohol Abuse (cont.)

• Reduced liver function

• Fatty liver
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Increased risk for chronic diseases
• Loss of calcium impacts bone health
• Pancreatic injury and diabetes
• Cancer (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach,
liver, colon, breast)

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© 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
 Alcohol Abuse (cont.)

• Malnutrition
• Over time the diet becomes deficient in
protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins A and C,
iron, zinc, and calcium
• Increased risk for traumatic injury
• Fetal and infant health problems
• No level of alcohol consumption is safe for
pregnant women

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 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• Alcohol harms fetal development

• The more alcohol a mother consumes, the
greater the danger
• FAS:
• causes malformations of developing fetus's
face, limbs, heart, and nervous system
• child will suffer from emotional, social,
learning, and developmental disabilities
• Effects are permanent

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© 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
 Alcohol Addiction

• The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol

Abuse suggestions for getting treatment:
• Stop "covering" and making excuses
• Intervene at a vulnerable time
• Be specific
• Get help
• Enlist the support of others

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