AlcoholAlcohol

One “Drink” is: One “Drink” is:

12 oz. (Beer)12 oz. (Beer)

5 oz. (wine)5 oz. (wine)

1.5 oz. (liquor)1.5 oz. (liquor)

Alcohol• The chemical in the alcohol we drink is called

ethyl alcohol.

• Other types of alcohol are not drinkable, for example methanol, which is wood alcohol.

• “Light” beer is different from regular beer becauseit has fewer calories.

What happens to alcohol What happens to alcohol when it enters your body?when it enters your body?

Some of the dose is absorbed by the stomach.

Most is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine.

The bloodstream carries the alcohol to all parts of the body, including the Liver, Heart, and Brain.

What happens to alcohol What happens to alcohol when it enters your body?when it enters your body?

The Liver breaks down alcohol into The Liver breaks down alcohol into waterwater, , carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide, and , and sugarsugar. .

The Liver breaks down alcohol at a The Liver breaks down alcohol at a rate of a rate of a ½½ oz. per hour or oz. per hour or approximately approximately oneone drinkdrink per hour per hour for an adult.for an adult.

What Is Cirrhosisof the Liver?

Cirrhosis is a deadly disease that replaces healthy liver tissue with useless scar tissue. Cirrhosis is most often the result of long-term exposure to alcohol.

Effects of AlcoholEffects of Alcohol

Blood Alcohol Concentration Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. The legal limit for driving in Minnesota is .08%.

Alcohol’s effects on a person, or on different people, depend on several factors. The same amount of alcohol can have verydifferent effects. Even one drink may be enough to get a person into trouble.

Effects of AlcoholEffects of Alcohol

As BAC rises, you become less likely to see risks or predict possible harmful consequences.

Alcohol is often involved in fights, assaults, car crashes, robberies, or abuse of others. But alcohol is not an excuse for harming others or for damaging property. You are still responsible for your actions.

Alcohol and PregnancyAlcohol and Pregnancy

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal alcohol syndrome may include mental retardation, organ abnormalities, and learning and behavioral problems.

Abstaining from Alcohol Any woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant should abstain from alcohol—there is no known safe level of alcohol during pregnancy.

Why Teens DrinkWhy Teens Drink

Curiosity Perhaps the most common internal pressure for teens is curiosity. They want to know what it feels like to drink.

Peer Pressure When some teens see others drinking, they may join in so that they don’t feel left out or different.

Why Teens DrinkWhy Teens Drink

• Impressing Others Teens may drink because they think that drinking makes them look mature and adult or that drinking will impress others.

• Advertisements Alcohol advertising is everywhere—TV, radio, Web sites, magazines, and billboards. The advertising message is that drinking is attractive and normal.

Deciding Not to DrinkDeciding Not to Drink

It’s Your Decision! The decision to drink or not to drink is always your decision. Take responsibility for it.

Making Friends with Nondrinkers It’s easier to decide not to drink if you are with friends who share your values.

MythsMyths

Alcohol warms you upAlcohol warms you up Alcohol is a stimulantAlcohol is a stimulant Drinking coffee, eating, or taking cold Drinking coffee, eating, or taking cold

showers can sober you upshowers can sober you up