CH: 23 Alcohol“The World’s Oldest Drug”

Health Ed.

FACTS

• Over 4 million teenagers in the US are alcoholics

• 1 out of 8 children has an alcoholic parent

• In 1990, alcoholism cost the US over $136 billion dollars

• Alcohol is a factor in 70% of murders

How is alcohol made?

• Fermentation- chemical process that produces alcohol through the action of yeast and sugars

Sugar differ depending on the drink

• Beer- malted barley

• Wine- berries

• Whisky- rye/corn

Drinks

Drinks are part water/ part alcohol for example: wine is 12% to 20% alcohol

How does alcohol flow through the body?

1- mouth2-stomach- 20% alcohol

passes directly into the blood stream

3-Small Intestine4-Heart5-Brain6-Liver-oxidizes alcohol

The liver oxidizes alcohol at the rate .5oz per hour

Oxidation- changes alcohol to water, carbon dioxide, and energy

Long-term effects….

• Tolerance- you have to drink more in order to produce the same effects

• Dependence- psychologically dependent on alcohol ; the body develops a need for alcohol (person continues to drink in order not to experience withdrawal symptoms)

Liver Problems

Alcohol interferes with bodies ability to break down fats; fats build up in the liver and cause a condition known as “fatty liver”

(condition is reversible)

Cirrhosis=means scaring: no blood is flowing to tissue (causes jaundice, hemorrhage, high blood pressure)

Brain Damage

People have been hospitalized in mental intuitions for brain damage caused by drinking:

• Damages the frontal lobes of the brain

• Causes overall reduction in brain size in the size of the ventricles

CH: 22/ lesson 2“Alcohol: A Mental and Social

Problem”Health Ed.

Why do people drink?

• To escape pressure/problems

• To fit in

• To impress others

• To gain confidence

Why people choose not to drink?

Millions of youth don’t drink they “Don’t need it”

Other reasons:• It makes them sick• It is fattening• It cost too much• They hate the taste• Illegal

Alcohol and Advertising

All ads include people who are:

• Attractive

• Fit

• Problem-free

• Party-like atmosphere

• In an otherwise healthy environment

Is it effective?

Companies spend over $ 1 billion per year on advertising

It is rare to see a sporting event that is not sponsored by a liquor company

• T-shirts

• Sticker logos

CH: 23 Lesson 3 “Alcohol: A serious

problem”Health Ed.

Serious Problems

• Fetal Alcohol syndrome

• Drinking/driving

• Alcoholism

“FAS”

Leading cause of mental retardation in the United States

Unborn babies can’t get rid of alcohol like adults can

~In 1988 Surgeon General issued that “women should not drink during pregnancy because of the risk involved~

Legal Limits

• Drunk driving #1 cause ofdeath for 15 to 19.• Average fine for DUI is more than 500$• Legal limit is .08DWI (driving while intoxicated)DUI (driving under influence)*same thing*

“BAC”

“Blood alcohol concentration”: depends on

• Gender

• Persons metabolism

• Amount of alcohol

• What they ate that day

• How much that person weighs

Alcoholism

Physical/Psychological addiction to alcohol

• They can’t keep from drinking

• They can’t stop once they

have started

3 stages

1- social drinking, begins to be a way to manage stress

2-person reaches point where they can’t stop drinking

3-person becomes aggressive/isolated from their friends/family, experience withdrawal

Withdrawal

Called Delirium Tremens (DTs)

• Hot/cold flashes

• Nightmares

• Fear of people/animals

Cited text

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/alco.html