LESSON 3 ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS Physical and

LESSON 3 ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS Physical and Social

GROUND RULES How will we behave in today’s session? ² Respect ² Listen ² No personal info ² Not laughed at ² Where to get help? ² Ask it basket ² It’s OK not to know ² Confidentiality ² OK to pass

SIGNPOSTING Where can I get help? LOCAL HELP: • Please add in your local agencies NATIONAL HELP: • Childline: (childline. org. uk) 0800 1111(Freephone) • Drinkline: 0300 123 1110 • Adfam: (adfam. org. uk) 0207 553 7640 • Alateen: 0207 403 0888 • Addaction: (addaction. org. uk) 0207 251 5860

LEARNING OBJECTIVES We will discover what the short term and long term effects of alcohol are on body functions. find out what happens to alcohol when it enters and leaves the body. explore what the possible consequences of drinking too much alcohol can be, both for other people and the drinker. consider what our responsibilities are towards other people.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES I will • be able to explain what the short term and long term effects of alcohol are on body functions. • know what happens to alcohol when it enters and leaves the body. • try to understand what the possible consequences of drinking too much alcohol can be, both for other people and the drinker. • be able to explain what my responsibilities are towards other people.

Open up www. talkaboutalcohol. com on your screens and visit the Body Zone

Scroll over the interactive body and write down a fact you didn’t know before www. talkaboutalcohol. com/interactive-body/

ALCOHOL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS How too much alcohol affects the body • Working in pairs or small groups, complete the worksheet “How too much alcohol affects the body” • Which are short term and which are long term effects? • See how you did with the answer sheets or online at

ALCOHOL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS Alcohol and the body

ALCOHOL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS What happens to alcohol in the body? • When someone swallows alcohol it goes into their tummy. It is then absorbed into the bloodstream. • How quickly alcohol travels into the blood stream depends on: o The amount of alcohol and type of drink o How quickly the person is drinking o Whether they have a full or empty stomach – food slows down alcohol going into the blood stream o Body size and weight – the same amount of alcohol will have more of an effect on a smaller person o Whether they’re male of female – men have more body water and ladies less of the enzyme ADH that breaks down alcohol, so less alcohol has more of an effect. • The amount of alcohol in your blood stream is measured as ‘blood alcohol concentration’, this is what the police measure to see if someone has drunk alcohol and driven a car.

ALCOHOL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS What happens to alcohol in the body short term? • Most of the alcohol in our body is broken down by the liver (90%), but is can only metabolise one unit an hour – that’s a shot, a ½ pint beer or half a glass of wine. It turns alcohol into water and C 02. • So if you drink quickly or a lot of alcohol it is in your blood stream and organs. • Too much alcohol rushes to your brain and affects signals to your body – that’s why too much alcohol slurs your speech, affects your vision, can make you lose your balance, feel sick and act out of character. • A little alcohol can make someone feel relaxed and happy, but this will change as you drink more – some people become angry, tearful, violent or sad. • Teenagers are far more likely to hurt themselves or someone else, engage in unprotected sex, get involved in a fight, try smoking or drugs if they drink heavily and often.

ALCOHOL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS What happens to our health long term if someone regularly drink a lot of alcohol? • Increased risk of becoming addicted to alcohol • Increased risk of many illnesses such as: o Liver disease o Some cancers – especially breast cancer and head and neck cancers (especially if you smoke too) o Increased risk of an irregular heart beat and heart problems.

ALCOHOL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS When should adults not drink at all? • When planning to drive • While on certain medications – it’s always best to check with a doctor if unsure • When pregnant – if you drink when you’re pregnant alcohol crosses the placenta to the foetus. Drinking a lot when pregnant can lead to permanent damage, called foetal alcohol syndrome. This affects brain development as well as facial features and is incurable. • When working at heights, with electrical equipment or in other positions of responsibility • Before or after energetic sport (alcohol is dehydrating)

SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Just a few drinks

SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Just a few drinks - Jordan’s story Split the room in two: • Right half, follow Jordan’s story and think about what else could have happened, could things have been worse? Write things down as you watch the 7 minute true story • Left half, watch Jordan’s story and think about better decisions he could have made during the evening. • Have any laws been broken? • Did he put anyone else in danger? • How much money do you think he spent? • Think about the speed he is drinking, pacing with soft drinks and eating, as well as the physical effects of Jordan’s night out

SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Consequences The worksheet has number of drinks ranked from 0 – to over 6. Discuss in groups which consequence fits where on the grid. For example being robbed – Would this be more likely at 2 drinks or more than 6 drinks? We will then talk about your choices as a group and why you have chosen to place them where you have. Think about what are lower risk to higher risk of the consequences and how drinking may affect the likelihood of them happening.

SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Match Numbers activity (Accessed via the Challenge Zone of talkaboutalcohol. com)

SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL Extension activity - You, friends and strangers Complete Activity 1 and 2 in small groups and discuss your choices. • Does getting drunk affect just the drinker or other people? • What might these consequences be? • How can we behave in a responsible way?

WHAT HAVE WE COVERED TODAY? We have discovered the short term and long term effects of alcohol on body functions. found out what happens to alcohol when it enters and leaves the body. • explored what the possible consequences of drinking too much alcohol can be, both for other people and the drinker. considered what our responsibilities are towards other people.

WHAT CAN YOU REMEMBER? CAN YOU…… • Explain 2 short term and 2 long term effects of alcohol on the body? • Describe what happens to alcohol when it enters and leaves the body? • Discuss what some of the possible consequences might be of drinking too much alcohol. • Understand what our responsibilities are towards other people.

HOMEWORK • Go to the Interactive Learning Zone www. talkaboutalcohol. com • Make a poster showing the physical and social effects of alcohol.