Download Alcohol-Lesson-2

Chapter 22
Alcohol
Lesson Two
Harmful Effects of Alcohol Use
Pgs 568-573
Short-Term Effects of
Drinking
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Short-term effects vary for each
individual based on:
1. Body size and gender (smaller
people affected quicker)
2. Food in stomach
3. Amount and rate of intake (when
you drink more than liver can tolerate
you become intoxicated)
Nervous System Effects
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The brain is less able to control the
body. Movement, speech, and vision
are affected.
Thought processes are disorganized
and memory/concentration or dulled
Judgment is altered and coordination
is impaired
Cardiovascular System
Effects
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With low alcohol intakes there is an
increase in heart rate and blood
pressure. Higher intakes decrease
heart rate and blood pressure. Heart
rhythm becomes irregular.
Alcohol causes the blood vessels to
expand, allowing body heat to escape
and body temperature to drop
Digestive System Effects
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Stomach acid increases which may
result in nausea and vomiting
The liver can be inflammed and
scarred from the toxic chemical
released to metabolize the alcohol
The kidneys increase urine output,
which leads to dehydration
Respiratory System
Effects
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Carbon dioxide formed by the liver is
released through the lung
Breathing may become slow, irregular,
or stop
Alcohol in Males vs.
Females
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Females have more
body fat and less
water than males
so alcohol has a
stronger and longer
lasting effect
The enzyme that
controls alcohol
processing is more
effective in males
Alcohol and Drug
Interactions
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Your metabolism is the
process by which the
body breaks down
substances
The presence of both
alcohol and
drugs/medicines can
be very dangerous
Interactions between
the two can lead to
injury, illness, or death
Alcohol and Drug
Interactions
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Alcohol combined with other drugs can
result in a multiplier effect, in which
the medication has a greater or
different effect than if it were taken
alone
Even aspirin can alter the way alcohol
affects the body
Typical Alcohol-Drug
Interactions
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Alcohol may slow down the drug’s
absorption into the body, which
increases the length of time either are
in the body.
Driving Under the
Influence
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Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the
amount of alcohol in a person’s blood
expressed as a percentage
A BAC of .08 in California is considered
legally drunk
Driving drunk is unsafe because alcohol
slows reflexes, reduces the ability to judge
speed and distance, increases risk-taking
behaviors, and reduces concentration
Binge Drinking
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Binge drinking is defined as drinking
five or more alcoholic drinks at one
sitting.
Rapid binge drinking is especially
dangerous because it is possible to
consume a fatal dose of alcohol.
Alcohol Poisoning
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Alcohol poisoning is a severe and potentially
fatal reaction to an alcohol overdose.
A person can choke or be asphyxiated by his
own vomit.
Alcohol continues to enter the bloodstream
and can cause stupor, coma, vomiting,
seizures, slow respiration, irregular
heartbeat, or hypothermia.