Effects & Risks to Your Health

ALCOHOL & DRUGS

STUDENT EXPECTATIONSAfter reviewing this Unit, you should be able to:

Identify Alcohol’s pathway once ingested Identify the harmful effects & risks of Alcohol on the body Define Blood Alcohol Concentration & factors that determine

a person’s BAC Identify the differences between medicines & drugs Identify the differences between drug misuse & abuse Identify the categories of drugs, effects, & risks on the body

ALCOHOL PRE-TEST ANSWERS1. TRUE – based on percentage of alcohol by volume

2. FALSE – Alcohol is digested by different organs in the body

3. FALSE – Alcohol is a Depressant (slows body down)

4. TRUE

5. TRUE – 5 oz. wine, 1.5 oz. shot of liquor, or 12 oz. can of beer

6. FALSE – BAC/BAL stands for how much alcohol is in the bloodstream

7. FALSE – only way to eliminate alcohol is through urine, sweat, or liver

8. TRUE – depends on a person’s BAC & other factors

9. TRUE –

10. TRUE

ALCOHOL: ITS PROCESS, TYPES, & STANDARD DRINK

• Alcohol is referred to ethanol & is made through a process called Fermentation – a conversion of sugar to carbon dioxide and alcohol by yeast

• Fermentation will yield certain types of alcohol such as beer, wine, and liquors (vodka)

• A “standard” drink is any drink that contains 14 grams of pure alcohol or .6 fluid ounces

Standard Drink Equivalents:

• Beer = 12 ounces, Wine = 4-5 ounces, Liquor (80pf) = 1.5 ounces

ALCOHOL’S PATHWAY Mouth: Alcohol enters the body Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream but most goes to the

small intestine Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the wall of the

small intestine Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body Brain: alcohol reaches the brain from the bloodstream Liver: alcohol is oxidized (burned up) by the liver at a rate of .5 fluid

ounces per hour Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide, & energy

SHORT

• Relaxing effect

• Slurred speech

• Slowed reaction time, coordination, & concentration ,& vision

• Altered emotions

• More blood flow to surface of skin & lower core body temperature

LONG

Brain – disrupts behavior, learning, & memory

Heart – blood pressure increases – heart disease, heart attack or stroke

Lungs – damage cells of lungs to remove fluids (choking), reduces immune response

Liver – organ responsible for filtering alcohol from the bloodstream

- Cirrhosis = scarring of liver tissue

- Cancer

SHORT & LONG-TERM EFFECTS

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC) Ratio of Alcohol to Blood in the body (%) 5 Factors that influence a person’s BAC

1. Gender- stronger effect on females

2. Body Weight- A heavy weight results in more fluids to mix w/alcohol resulting in a lower BAC

3. Strength & Size of Drink- Stronger alcohol content consumed, higher BAC will rise & larger drinks contain more alcohol

4. Food- possible to slow rate in which alcohol is absorbed

5. Time- faster a person drinks, quicker their BAC will rise

.08 BAC LevelIllegal for a person 21

or older to drive a vehicle

Person is 11 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than someone who has had nothing to drink

.01 BAC Level Illegal for a person 16-20

years of age to drive a vehicle

All drivers under 21 who commit a DUI can be subject to a 6 month driver’s license suspension, probation, fined, or jailed

BAC LEVEL

Medicine – drug(s) that are used to treat illness or relieve pain (tylenol for a headache)

2 Types:

1. OTC (over the counter) – no need for a written prescription

2. Prescription (Rx) – written order from a doctor (anitbiotics)

Drugs- chemical substances taken into the body that can change the structure or function of body/mind (increase heart rate or hallucinations)

Misuse – Inappropriate use of prescribed or non-prescribed medicine, but not for “pleasure” or other non-medical purposes.

Abuse – repeatedly and willfully using a drug in a way other than prescribed or socially sanctioned

MEDICINE VS. DRUGS – MISUSE VS. ABUSE

Cannabinoids

Marijuana, Hashish

-Smoked, swallowed

Effects:

Euphoria, slow reaction time, distorted sensory perception

Risks:

Frequent respiratory infections, cough, addiction, memory loss

Opioids

Heroin

- Injected, smoked, swallowed

Effects:

Impaired coordination, slow/arrested breathing

Risks:

Addiction, fatal overdose, hepatitis, HIV

CATEGORIES OF DRUGS

Stimulants

Cocaine, Amphetamine, Methamphetamines

- Inhaled, Injected, taken orally

Effects:

Increases all body functions, i.e., heart rate, breathing rate, anxiety, psychosis

Risks:

Cardiac complications, seizures, nasal damage, dental problems, addiction

Club Drugs

MDMA (Ecstasy), Rohypnol, GHB

Known as Date Rape Drugs

- Swallowed, snorted, injected

Effects:

Lowered inhibitions, sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion, memory loss

Risks:

Impaired memory, seizures, coma, addiction & at risk to be assaulted

CATEGORIES OF DRUGS

Hallucinogens

LSD, mushrooms, peyote

- Swallowed, smoked

Effects:

Increased body temp, blood pressure, heart rate, altered states of perception & feeling

Risks:

Flashbacks (causes brain to misfire & send incorrect signals)

Anabolic Steroids

Man-made substance related to testosterone (HGH)

- Injected, swallowed, absorbed through skin

Risks:

Males – reduced sperm production, breast tissue growth (enlargement), shrunken testicles

Females – menstrual irregularities, take on male characteristics (deeper voice, hair growth)

CATEGORIES OF DRUGS

Depressants

Xanax, Valium

- Swallowed, injected

Effects:

Slows down body functions

Sedation, drowsiness, impaired coordination/memory

Risks:

Decrease in blood pressure, breathing, respiratory arrest, death

CATEGORIES OF DRUGS