EQ: WHAT IS ALCOHOL and HOW

DOES IT AFFECT YOUR BODY?

Name______________Assig. # ______

ALCOHOL

◦Alcohol is produced through the fermentation of fruits and grains.

◦Alcohol is a depressant.◦The legal drinking age for any person is 21 in the United States.

EXAMPLES OF ALCOHOLAlcohol comes in 3 basic forms:

BEER WINE HARD LIQUOR

12 oz. = 4 or 5oz. = 1.5 oz.

INTOXICATIONPeople will be effected differently

by alcohol depending on these factors:◦Weight◦Quantity◦Gender◦Food◦Other drugs present

SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Heart beats faster; body temperature drops.

Brain becomes less able to control speech, movement and vision.

Liver cannot function fast enough causing alcohol to enter blood stream resulting in intoxication.

Stomach cannot digest alcohol causing vomiting.

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLBlood pressure rises; damages

the heart muscle.Destroys millions of brain cells

which DO NOT GROW BACK!!Causes cirrhosis of the liver

which is an irreversible deterioration of the liver resulting in the need for a transplant.

Can cause stomach ulcers.

BAC – Blood Alcohol ConcentrationBAC is the amount of alcohol in

the blood at any given time.The BAC for legal operation of a

vehicle in the United States is .08.

The physical effects of alcohol can be seen, however, with a BAC as low as .02-.04.

Buzzed driving and drunk driving KILL!!

UNNECESSARY RISKS

There are several risk factors involved with alcohol use:◦Accidents ◦Suicide◦Rape◦Unprotected sex leading to STD’s or unwanted pregnancy

◦FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

ALCOHOLISMAlcoholism is a progressive and chronic disease.

Alcoholism is characterized by addiction.

Addiction is a physiological and psychological need for the drug.

ALCOHOLISMPhysiological Signs of Alcoholism

◦Changes in sleep habits◦Feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop

◦Needing to take more of the drug to feel the same effect (Tolerance)

◦Changing in eating habits (gaining or losing weight)

ALCOHOLISMPsychological signs of alcoholism

◦Withdrawal from family and friends.◦Loss of interest in activities.◦Changes in friendships.◦Spending time figuring out how to

get drug.◦Stealing or selling belongings to get

drug.◦Anxiety, anger, or depression.

STAGES OF ALCOHOLISMStage 1: A person starts to drink to

relieve stress or relax; begins to make excuses about drinking.

Stage 2: The body develops a need for the drug; the drinker is

often absent from school, but denies there is a problem.

Stage 3: The alcohol abuse is now clear to everyone and the drinking is out of control.

THREE STAGES OF RECOVERYThere are three stages of recovery:

1. The person admits there is a problem.

2. The alcoholic goes through a process of detoxification (the alcohol is removed from the body)

3. The alcoholic receives counseling on how to live without alcohol; learns to rebuild self-esteem and takes responsibility for their life.

SUPPORT GROUPS AA – Alcoholics Anonymous

For alcoholics

Al-anon Support for family and friends of an alcoholic

Alateen Support for young people who cope with family

members or friends who are alcoholics.