Understanding Alcohol What is alcohol l Ethanol ethyl

Understanding Alcohol

What is alcohol? l Ethanol (ethyl alcohol): the psychoactive drug in all alcoholic beverages. l Central Nervous System depressant l Created through a process called fermentation

ALCOHOL Ethanol: psychoactive drug in alcoholic beverages

l What are the 7 organs that are responsible for alcohol absorption and digestion? l Try to brainstorm the 7 organs and put them in the order from the first organ to absorb/digest alcohol to the last organ to absorb/digest alcohol.

Path of Alcohol Ethanol: Psychoactive drug MOUTH STOMACH SMALL INTESTINE HEART BRAIN LIVER KIDNEYS The Path of Alcohol

MOUTH STOMACH Some alcohol is absorbed; 20 -30% is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase

SMALL INTESTINE Main site of alcohol absorption Blood Alcohol Concetration Amount of alcohol in the bloodstream HEART

Depresses Central Nervous System (CNS) BRAIN ADH hormone – increases urine production

Main site of alcohol metabolism LIVER 0. 5 oz per hour One drink per hour 12 oz beer = 5 oz wine = 1. 5 oz liquor = 12 oz. Beer = 5 oz. Wine 1. 5 oz. 80 proof liquor

MOUTH - Alcohol enters the body - Up to 5% of the alcohol is absorbed STOMACH - 20% of the alcohol is absorbed - 20 -30% of alcohol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase - travels through the pyloric valve to the small intestine

SMALL INTESTINE - The remainder of the alcohol is absorbed HEART - Pumps alcohol through the body -Blood vessels dilate

BRAIN -Depresses the cerebral cortex -Pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and urine production increases

LIVER -Metabolism occurs -Liver prioritizes the breakdown of alcohol over it’s normal functions. KIDNEYS - Excreted from the body as urine

BAC Charts http: //www. ou. edu/oupd/bac. htm

Tolerance: needing more and more of a substance to get the same effect l So does tolerance affect BAC? l NO! If you drink, BAC is going to rise; however if you have a high tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of intoxication may not directly correlate with a person’s BAC.

Review Questions 1. What is the psychoactive drug found in all alcoholic beverages? l 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which alcohol passes from consumption to urine production. l 3. What organ is the main site of alcohol absorption? Metabolization? l 4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, how long will it take the liver to break it down? Why l

Blood Alcohol Concentration l The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. Does a person’s tolerance effect their BAC? Tolerance does NOT effect BAC will continue to rise! With tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of impairment may not directly correlate with BAC.

Factors that influence BAC l Gender l Men v. Women l Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Body Fat Weight l Metabolism l Time l l Between l drinks and cessation Food content in the stomach

Alcohol Poisoning l SYMPTOMS l Vomiting and nausea – 1 st sign!!! l Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The irritation will cause vomiting. l l l Loss of reflexes Loss of consciousness; “passed out” Pulse is weak and rapid Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8 breaths per minute) Skin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluish You can not wake the person

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse l Drunk Driving – Traffic Fatalities l Teenage pregnancy l Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of death among teens l Accidents l Suicide l Homicide

Consequences of Alcohol Use/Abuse l Depresses the immune system l Cirrhosis of the liver l Stroke l Cancer l Brain Damage

The Effects of Alcohol l In low doses, alcohol produces: la relaxing effect l reduces tension l lowers inhibitions l impairs concentration l slows reflexes l impairs reaction time l reduces coordination

The Effects of Alcohol l In medium doses, alcohol produces: l slurred speech l cause drowsiness l alter emotions

The Effects of Alcohol l In high doses, alcohol produces: l vomiting l breathing difficulties l unconsciousness l coma