Alcohol the concentration of alcohol in a beverage

Alcohol

• the concentration of alcohol in a beverage is the proof value • Proof value = 2 X percentage alcohol. • E. g. 100 proof (whiskey) contains 50% alcohol

ONE DRINK = 0. 6 oz alcohol • 12 oz beer • 5 oz wine • Mixed drink with 1. 5 oz of 80 proof liquor (40% alcohol). • Current recommendations are: – 1 drink/day for women – 2 drinks/day for men

Alcohol Use Patterns in the USA • 1/3 are abstainers • 2/3 are drinkers – 1/3 are light drinkers – 1/3 are moderate/heavy drinkers • 10% of the drinking population is considered heavy drinkers- they are responsible for 50% of all alcohol consumption in the US!!!!! • Annual Sales of alcohol average out to roughly 2. 3 gallons of absolute alcohol person

Absorption and Metabolism • 20% rapidly absorbed into bloodstream • 75 % through upper part of the small intestine and the rest enters further along in the intestinal tract. • Metabolism of alcohol is in the liver. • 2 -10% is not metabolized but is excreted through the sweat glands, lungs and kidneys.

Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption • Strength of the beverage • Number of drinks consumed • Speed of consumption • What you are mixing it with • Presence of food in stomach • Physical tolerance • Presence of food • Body chemistry

Blood Alcohol Concentration • Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood • Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample

Possible consequences of frequent alcohol use

Normal healthy liver Liver with cirrhosis

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • Fetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult • Damage results in mental retardation • Other characteristics are low birth weight, facial abnormalities, widely spaced eyes, and a much smaller head. • Full expression rate: 1 -3 out of 1000 births • Partial expression rate: 3 -9/100 births

FAS

Alcoholism- different patterns • Regular daily intake of large amounts • Regular heavy drinking limited to weekends • Long periods of sobriety interspersed with periods of binge drinking lasting weeks or months • Heavy drinking limited to periods of stress