Alcohol is…

• A Depressant–A drug that slows down brain and body reactions

• The most widely abused drug among high school students.

12 oz. domestic beer10 oz. microbrew beer

10 oz. wine cooler4-5 oz. wine

1.5 oz. large shot (80 proof)

Teens and Alcohol• Influenced by:

–Peers

–Family

–Media

How Alcohol Affects the Body

• Cardiovascular System– Slows heart rate– More blood flows to skin’s surface– Core body temp decreases

• Excretory– Kidneys increase urine production

• Nervous System– Brain activity slows– Reflexes become sluggish– Coordination becomes impaired

• Digestive System– Too much alcohol in stomach may cause vomiting

Other Short Term Effects

• Slurred speech• Drowsiness• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Upset stomach• Headaches• Breathing difficulties• Distorted vision and

hearing

• Impaired judgment• Anemia

– Loss of red blood cells

• Coma• Blackouts

– Memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC):

The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage

Factors Affecting BAC

• Rate of consumption: The rate at which your liver breaks down alcohol

• Gender: When consuming the same amount of alcohol, a man’s BAC will be lower than a females

• Body size: Smaller people (by weight and height) feel the effects of alcohol more than larger people

• Amount of food: Drinking on an empty stomach increases the rate of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream

Blood Alcohol Concentration

When Blood Alcohol Concentration is…

• 0.02-0.03– Reflexes and alertness decline

• 0.04-0.06– Judgment and self-control are

impaired– Reaction time slows

• 0.07-0.09– Muscle coordination

decreases• 0.12-0.15

– Vomiting usually occurs– Emotions become

exaggerated, unstable, or violent

• 0.20– Confusion, dizziness, ad

disorientation occur– Vision and speech are

impaired– Blackouts are typical

• 0.30– Ability to stand or walk is lost– Loss of consciousness may

occur• 0.40

– Loss of consciousness usually occurs

– Death may occur• 0.50 or higher

– Death usually occurs

What is the ONLY thing that can sober a person up?

TIME!!!!TIME!!!!

Life Threatening Effects

• Alcohol poisoning: taking an excessive amount of a drug that leads to coma or death

• When drinking, many think they will pass out before this limit– Not true: alcohol continues to be absorbed

into the blood for 30-90 minutes after a person’s last drink

• Drinkers BAC can still increase after they become unconscious

Life Threatening Effects Continued

• Warning signs of Overdose (alcohol poisoning):– Cold Clammy Hands– Slow or irregular respiration– Vomiting while “sleeping”– Cannot be wakened

• Person is unconscious

• Binge drinker- the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol at one sitting

Long Term Risks of Alcohol

• Brain Damage• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome• Liver Damage• Heart Disease• Digestive Problems• Alcoholism• Malnutrition• Cancer of the mouth

and throat

• Ulcers• Gastritis

– Inflammation of stomach walls

• Alcohol poisoning• High blood pressure,

stroke, and other heart related diseases

• Nerve damage• Sexual problems