Understanding AlcoholUnderstanding Alcohol

Ethanol: psychoactive drug in alcoholic

beverages

ALCOHOL

What are the 7 organs that are What are the 7 organs that are responsible for alcohol absorption responsible for alcohol absorption and metabolization? and metabolization?

The Path The Path of Alcoholof Alcohol

KIDNEYS

LIVER

BRAIN

HEART

SMALL INTESTINE

STOMACH

MOUTH

Path of AlcoholEthanol:

psychoactive drug in alcoholic

beverages

MOUTH

STOMACH

Some alcohol is absorbed; 20-30% is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase

SMALLINTESTINE

HEART

Main site of alcohol absorption

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Amount of alcohol in the bloodstream

BRAIN

Depresses Central Nervous System (CNS)

ADH hormone – increases urine production

12oz beer = 5 oz wine = 1.5 oz liquor

= =

12 oz. Beer

5 oz. Wine

1.5 oz. 80 proofliquor

One drink per hour

LIVER Main site of alcohol metabolism

0.5 oz per hour

So, how does impairment So, how does impairment occur?occur?

Blood Alcohol Concentration - BACBlood Alcohol Concentration - BAC The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

Factors that influence BACFactors that influence BAC

GenderGenderMen v. WomenMen v. Women

Alcohol Dehydrogenase Alcohol Dehydrogenase Body FatBody Fat

Body Composition/WeightBody Composition/WeightMetabolismMetabolismTimeTime

Between drinks and cessationBetween drinks and cessation

Food content in the stomachFood content in the stomach

Blood Alcohol ConcentrationBlood Alcohol Concentration

The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

Tolerance does NOT effect BAC. BAC will continue to rise! With tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of impairment may not directly correlate with BAC.

Does a person’s tolerance effect Does a person’s tolerance effect their BAC?their BAC?

Review QuestionsReview QuestionsList in order List in order (7 (7

structures/organs)structures/organs), , the path that the path that alcohol travels in alcohol travels in the body from the body from consumption to consumption to metabolization.metabolization.

In ounces, how In ounces, how much is one drink? much is one drink? Include beer, wine, Include beer, wine, and liquor. and liquor.

In ounces, how much In ounces, how much alcohol is in one drink? alcohol is in one drink?

Extra Credit: Extra Credit: A man and woman consume the same A man and woman consume the same amount of alcohol. Based upon the general population, what amount of alcohol. Based upon the general population, what are two reasons that the man may not be affected by the are two reasons that the man may not be affected by the alcohol as much as the woman?alcohol as much as the woman?

BAC ChartsBAC Charts

http://www.ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm

Consequences of Long Term Use and Abuse

Consequences of Single Use

Conditions Impairment and Changes in Personality and Feelings

Alcohol Use and Abuse

Conditions Impairment and Changes in Personality and Feelings

Alcohol Use and Abuse

Stroke and Brain Damage

Cirrhosis of the liver

Cancer

Consequences of Alcohol Consequences of Alcohol Use/AbuseUse/Abuse

Depresses the immune systemDepresses the immune system

Cirrhosis of the liverCirrhosis of the liver

Stroke Stroke

CancerCancer

Brain DamageBrain Damage

Tolerance: needing more and more of a substance to get the

same effect

So does tolerance affect BAC?

NO! If you drink, BAC is going to rise; however if you have a high tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of intoxication may not directly correlate with a person’s BAC.

MOUTHMOUTH

STOMACHSTOMACH

- Alcohol enters the body - Up to 5% of the alcohol is absorbed

- 20% of the alcohol is absorbed- 20-30% of alcohol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase- travels through the pyloric valve to the small intestine

SMALL INTESTINESMALL INTESTINE- The remainder of the alcohol is absorbed

HEARTHEART- Pumps alcohol throughthe body-Blood vessels dilate

BRAINBRAIN

-Depresses the cerebral cortex

-Pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and urine production increases

LIVERLIVER-Metabolism occurs

-Liver prioritizes the breakdown of alcohol over it’s normal functions.

KIDNEYSKIDNEYS

- Excreted from the body as urine

Review QuestionsReview Questions 11. What is the psychoactive drug found in all . What is the psychoactive drug found in all

alcoholic beverages?alcoholic beverages? 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which

alcohol passes from consumption to urine alcohol passes from consumption to urine production. production.

3. 3. What organ is the main site of alcohol What organ is the main site of alcohol absorption? Metabolization?absorption? Metabolization?

4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, 4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, how long will it take the liver to break it down? how long will it take the liver to break it down? WhyWhy

Alcohol PoisoningAlcohol Poisoning SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS

Vomiting and nausea – 1Vomiting and nausea – 1stst sign!!! sign!!!Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric

valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The irritation will cause vomiting.irritation will cause vomiting.

Loss of reflexesLoss of reflexes Loss of consciousness; “passed out”Loss of consciousness; “passed out” Pulse is weak and rapidPulse is weak and rapid Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8 Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8

breaths per minute)breaths per minute) Skin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluishSkin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluish You can not wake the personYou can not wake the person

Consequences of Alcohol Consequences of Alcohol Use/AbuseUse/Abuse

Drunk Driving – Traffic FatalitiesDrunk Driving – Traffic Fatalities

Teenage pregnancyTeenage pregnancy

Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of death among teensdeath among teens

AccidentsAccidentsSuicideSuicideHomicideHomicide

Consequences of Alcohol Consequences of Alcohol Use/AbuseUse/Abuse

Depresses the immune systemDepresses the immune system

Cirrhosis of the liverCirrhosis of the liver

Stroke Stroke

CancerCancer

Brain DamageBrain Damage

The Effects of AlcoholThe Effects of AlcoholIn low doses, alcohol produces:In low doses, alcohol produces:

a relaxing effect a relaxing effect reduces tension reduces tension lowers inhibitions lowers inhibitions impairs concentration impairs concentration slows reflexes slows reflexes impairs reaction time impairs reaction time reduces coordinationreduces coordination

The Effects of AlcoholThe Effects of Alcohol

In medium doses, alcohol In medium doses, alcohol produces: produces: slurred speech slurred speech cause drowsiness cause drowsiness alter emotions alter emotions

The Effects of AlcoholThe Effects of Alcohol

In high doses, alcohol In high doses, alcohol produces: produces: vomiting vomiting breathing difficulties breathing difficulties unconsciousness unconsciousness coma coma