Alcohol The Facts Served Straight Up Definitions Alcoholism

Alcohol The Facts Served “Straight Up”

Definitions Ø Alcoholism – a physical dependency on and a Ø Alcohol abuse – drinking too much or too often preoccupation with alcohol to the extent that this behavior interferes with normal personal family, social, or work life. without physical cravings or withdrawal symptoms. (this behavior can lead to alcoholism) Ø Alcohol poisoning – an over dosage on alcohol. Ø Binge drinking – drinking too much, too fast. (this is considered a medical emergency) l l for men is considered five or more drinks in a row. for women is considered four or more drinks in a row.

Definitions, continued Ø Blackouts – Alcohol in the brain may cause a person Ø Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – Alcohol Ø Intoxication - The amount of alcohol consumed Ø Tolerance – Over a period of time more alcohol is to have gaps in their memory of things that happened while drinking. concentration in a person’s blood. exceeds the individual's tolerance and produces behavioral or physical abnormalities. required to achieve the same effect. This is a sign that a person is becoming dependent on alcohol and may not realize how impaired they actually are.

40% of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related. Could this be you someday?

Blood Alcohol Concentration – How does this affect you? Ø . 02% - Alcohol immediately slows the nervous Ø . 04% - Reaction time continues to slow. “buzz” develops. Relaxation deepens. Ø . 055% -. 06% - Effects of alcohol change. Good feelings get less positive and negative feelings more negative. The negative effects will continue as long as you continue to drink. Brain’s ability to process information and make judgments is greatly impaired. system and reaction time is impaired to some extent. You become more relaxed A

BAC - How it affect you ? Ø Continued . 08% - Legally Drunk. Decrease in Motor coordination. May feel nauseous and throw up. This can occur in some people with just one or two drinks. Ø . 10% - A clear breakdown in judgment and motor coordination, visibly sloppy. Ø . 15% -. 25% - High risk of blackouts and injuries. Ø . 25% -. 35% - Can pass out. Risk of death. Ø . 40% -. 45% - Lethal dose for most.

What Is A Standard Drink?

Factors that may influence alcohol concentration levels: Gender – body compositions differ Ø Body weight Ø Ø Alcohol content in drinks Ø How much you drink Ø Food intake Ø Age Ø Mood

Health problems associated with long term use of alcohol: Alcoholism (addiction to alcohol) Ø Cancers Ø l l Ø Heart damage l l l Ø Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle) High blood pressure High triglycerides leading to heart attack or stroke. Liver damage l l Ø Esophagus, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box). Increase risk of colon and rectal cancer Cirrhosis Hepatitis Stomach l l Chronic irritation of the stomach lining and bleeding ulcers pancreatitis