Transcript ALCOHOL
Standard Drink What is the connection? How does alcohol use impact our physical, mental/emotional and social health? Physical Mental/ Emotional Social What is the main idea with alcohol? • Answer: Alcohol use can harm the body and the brain and can cause a person to make poor decisions. • Alcohol is a depressant, which is a drug that slows the functioning of the central nervous system. • Intoxication- The state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol, and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced. Vocabulary • Alcohol is made by the process of fermentation. • Tolerance- The body becomes used to the effects of the alcohol or drug. • Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. “ Scientific evidence suggests that even modest alcohol consumption in late childhood and adolescence can result in permanent brain damage. “ American Medical Association” Vocabulary • Binge drinking is the act of consuming five or more drinks in one sitting. • A potentially fatal, physical reaction to an alcohol overdose is alcohol poisoning. • Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include: o Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be aroused, vomiting/seizures o Slow respiration, irregular heartbeat, hypothermia, and severe dehydration Short –Term Effects of Alcohol • Central Nervous System o Brain- The brain becomes less able to control the body. Movement, speech and vision may be affected. o Memory- Thought processes are disorganized and memory and concentration are dulled. o Judgment- Judgment is altered and coordination is impaired. Short Term Effects of Alcohol • Cardiovascular System • Heart- With low intake, alcohol causes an increase in heart rate and BP. At higher intake levels, heart rate and BP decrease and heart rhythm becomes irregular. Risk of cardiac arrest increases. • Blood Vessels- Alcohol causes the blood vessels to expand. The increased surface area of the blood vessels allows body heat to escape and the body’s temperature to drop. Short –Term Effects • Liver-Toxic chemicals are released as the liver metabolizes alcohol. Chemicals cause inflammation and damage to the organ. • Kidneys- Alcohol acts a diuretic on the kidneys and increases urine output. Increased risk of dehydration. • Lungs- Carbon dioxide formed by liver depresses nerves that control breathing and other involuntary actions. Long Term Effects of Alcohol • Liver: Inflammation, Cirrhosis, Cancer, Hemorrhage, Liver failure • Gastrointestinal: Stomach lining inflamed, ulcers, and cancer • Intestines: Cancer of intestines and colon Long – Term Effects Central Nervous System • Impaired senses (vision, hearing, smell, & pain perception) • hallucinations • blackouts • loss of sensation in hands/feet • early on-set of dementia, • mood and personality changes & anxiety. Circulatory • high blood pressure, • irregular heart beat • damage to heart muscle • increase risk of heart disease and stroke. Long Term Effects of Alcohol Reproductive System • Reduced fertility • Impaired sexual performance • Impotence and decreased sperm count • Increased risk of breast cancer (women) • Early onset of menopause • Irregular menstrual cycle. Body • Weight gain • Headaches • Muscle Weakness Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • A group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems. • Baby born with small head and deformities of the face, hands, or feet. • Heart, liver, kidney, vision, and hearing problems. • FAS leading cause of mental retardation in the U.S. Blood Alcohol Concentration • The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a percentage • Depends on the following factors: • Quantity of alcohol • Rate of consumption • Body size • Gender Dependence & Alcoholism • Psychological Dependence: person believes a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally • Physical Dependence: person has a chemical need for the drug • Alcoholism: disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol Symptoms of Alcoholism • Craving = need for alcohol, cannot manage without it (stress, work, family,etc) • Loss of control = no limit. Preoccupied with alcohol • Physical Dependence = withdrawal (nausea, sweating, shakes, anxiety) • Tolerance = increase amounts to feel effects • Health, family, legal problems Stages of Alcoholism • Stage 1 = ABUSE o Individual drink socially and experiences: memory loss, blackouts and may begin to lie or make excuses to justify drinking o Stage 2 = DEPENDENCE o Individual cannot stop drinking, dependent on alcohol. Tries to hide the drinking but it becomes a problem at home and school • Stage 3 = ADDICTION o Most important thing in person’s life. Liver may be damaged and if the person stops drinking he/she would experience sever withdrawal symptoms