Alcohol Definitions Alcohol the drug found in beer
Alcohol
Definitions • Alcohol – the drug found in beer, wine and liquor that causes intoxication • Intoxication – the physical and mental changes produced by drinking alcohol
Effects on the Body When alcohol enters the body it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body
Effects on the Body • Irritates the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach • Makes heart work harder • Makes body lose heat • Causes the liver to work harder • Causes dehydration
Effects on the Mind • Alcohol is a depressant – Slows down the nervous system – Lose the ability to make good decisions, pay attention, follow complex thoughts, cope with difficult situations – Lose inhibitions – Lose the ability to focus eyes – Lose judgment
BAC • Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood • Legal limit for driving under the influence if you are 21 or older -. 08% • Under 21 yrs. old – anything over. 00% = driving under the influence • A BAC of. 02% can affect a person’s ability to drive
Stages of Intoxication See handout
Binge Drinking • Binge Drinking - a usually brief period or bout of excessive alcohol consumption. • Alcohol Poisoning – Breathing and hear rate become dangerously low – Can be fatal – Symptoms • Extreme vomiting • Loss of consciousness • Dangerously slowed breathing
Long-term Effects of Alcohol • Heart – Irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, enlargement of the heart • Liver – Hepatitis, liver cancer, cirrhosis • Esophagus and Stomach – Irritation/bleeding of stomach lining, cancer of the mouth, stomach and esophagus • Brain – Brain cell death due to repeated dehydration and lack of oxygen
Alcoholism • Alcohol Abuse – drinking too much alcohol, drinking it too often or drinking at inappropriate times • Alcoholism – a disease that causes a person to lose control of his/her behavior – Physically and mentally addicted – Withdrawal symptoms very painful
Teens and Alcohol • #1 cause of death among teens in motor vehicle accidents • Driving skills are impaired by alcohol – Slows reaction time – Affects vision – Makes you drowsy – Reduces your coordination – Affects your judgement
Drinking, Driving and the Law • Driving with a BAC of. 08% or higher will get you arrested for DUI (driving under the influence)/DWI (driving while intoxicated) • Zero Tolerance – it is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any amount of alcohol in their system
Getting Home Safer • • • Don’t drink Plan ahead Designated Driver Parents Cab/public transportation
Future at Risk Drinking and Jail – Minor in possession (MIP) – if caught with or trying to buy alcohol – Public Intoxication (PI) – Fake ID
Future at Risk • Drinking and sexual activity – Lead to unplanned pregnancy, STI, emotional pain of unhealthy sexual relationships • Drinking and swimming – Plays a role in more than 38% of all drowning accidents in US • Drinking and teen brains – Affects the development of the brain – Alcohol more potent in brains that are still developing
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