Download Sober Social Smashed spring 2012

CIAL "
O
S
"
R
E
B
SO
SMASHED
The Facts About Alcohol and its Effects on Body and Mind
Alcohol's primary site of action is the brain. For alcohol to reach the brain it has to get into the bloodstream. This is
why Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is used to determine levels of intoxication. Alcohol does not need to be
digested before reaching the bloodstream as food does. Instead, it is immediately absorbed into the blood directly
through the walls of the stomach and intestines (~20% of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach, ~80% is absorbed in
the small intestine). Absorption takes place by simple diffusion from higher to lower concentrations of alcohol. Within
2-3 minutes after a drink is consumed, alcohol can be detected in the blood. Since alcohol is absorbed mostly in the
small intestine, anything which affects the rate alcohol enters the small intestine influences absorption and,
consequently, BAC.
Factors Impacting Absorption Rate
Other Factors Impacting BAC
Eating prior to or during drinking slows absorption. When
alcohol is taken with a substantial meal, peak BAC may be
reduced by as much as 50%.
Body Weight: The BAC of 180 lb. person who consumes
4 oz. of alcohol is usually substantially lower than that of
a 130 lb. person drinking the same amount in the same
time. The larger person needs greater amounts of
alcohol to reach a given BAC.
As the Potency of a drink increases - up to about 40% pure
alcohol (80 proof) - the more rapidly alcohol is absorbed.
Carbonation in drinks causes rapid emptying of stomach
contents in to the small intestine, increasing the rate of
absorption.
Cold drinks also force the alcohol into the small intestine
more quickly, increasing absorption.
Emptying time of the stomach can be altered by fear,
anger, stress, nausea, condition of stomach tissue, and
type of food consumed. The longer alcohol remains in the
stomach, the slower the increase in BAC.
Speed of drinking: The more rapidly a drink is ingested,
the higher the peak BAC. The amount of alcohol in the
blood will be lower if the drink is sipped rather than
gulped.
Gender: Differences between men and women on
such factors as blood volume (weight and muscle mass)
may also result in BAC differences.
General State of Health: Many people seem more
susceptible to the effects of alcohol when they are
fatigued, have been recently ill, or are under emotional
stress. A drinker's expectations and the drinking
environment influence the apparent effects of
intoxication, but not the actual BAC.
Other drugs: Many medications taken while ingesting
alcohol can have cumulative or dangerous effects.
Alcohol may alter the effectiveness of prescription and
over-the-counter medications.
Excretion, Breakdown and Removal
The removal of alcohol from the blood begins as soon as the alcohol is absorbed by the bloodstream. Small amounts
(~5%) leave unchanged through sweat, urine, or breath. The remaining alcohol is changed chemically and
metabolized by the liver.
TIME is the only way to get alcohol out of a drinker's system. Exercise, caffeine, other stimulants or cold showers will
only result in a more alert, intoxicated drinker. These drinkers will be at increased risk for harm due to increased
alertness and belief that they are “ok”. Although the rate alcohol is metabolized by the liver may vary slightly, the
average rate is about 1 standard drink per hour.
Consuming or possessing alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal in Illinois
Safer Drink Level Guidelines
The charts below are guidelines for determining a person’s “safer drink level” (BAC - blood alcohol concentration of less than
or equal to .05). At this level, a person’s statistical risk of accident or injury is almost the same as the risk for a non-drinker.
SAFER DRINK ESTIMATOR
Maximum number of drinks to stay at a safer drink level (BAC < .05)
Maximum number of drinks to stay at a safer drink level (BAC < .05)
BODY
WEIGHT
SAFER DRINK ESTIMATOR
BODY
WEIGHT
1 drink = 1 can/bottle (12 oz.) beer = 1 glass (4 oz.) wine = 1 shot (1.5 oz) 80 proof liquor
1hr
2hrs 3hrs 4hrs
130
2.0
2.6
3.2
MEN
TIME SPENT DRINKING
5hrs
6hrs
3.8
4.3
4.9
140
2.2
2.8
3.4
4.0
4.7
5.3
150
2.4
3.0
3.7
4.3
5.0
5.7
160
2.5
3.2
3.9
4.6
5.3
6.0
170
2.7
3.4
4.2
4.9
5.7
6.4
180
2.8
3.6
4.4
5.2
6.0
6.8
200
3.2
4.0
4.9
5.8
6.7
7.6
220
3.5
4.4
5.4
6.4
7.4
8.3
240
3.8
4.9
5.9
7.0
8.0
9.1
One Drink Equals:
BEER
=
12 oz
=
4 oz
1.5 oz
Example: Generally, a 160 lb.
man who consumes about 4.6
average drinks in 4 hours will
have a safer BAC < .05 and
be at a lower risk for
accident or injury.
NOTE: Many factors affect BAC. Drinking slowly,
having food in your stomach and drinking less
potent drinks will enhance safety.
Consuming or possessing
alcohol under the age of 21
is illegal in Illinois.
Health Enhancement
Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Example: A 160 lb. man who has 4.6
drinks or less in 4 hours is "safer."
TIME SPENT DRINKING
1hr
2hrs 3hrs 4hrs
5hrs 6hrs
100 1.3
1.7
2.0
2.4
2.8
3.2
120
1.6
2.0
2.5
2.9
3.4
3.8
130
1.7
2.2
2.7
3.2
3.6
4.1
140
1.8
2.4
2.9
3.4
3.9
4.4
150
2.0
2.5
3.1
3.7
4.2
4.8
160
2.1
2.7
3.3
3.9
4.5
5.1
180
2.4
3.1
3.7
4.4
5.1
5.7
200
2.7
3.4
4.1
4.9
5.6
6.4
220
2.9
3.7
4.6
5.4
6.2
7.0
NOTE: Many factors affect BAC. Drinking slowly,
having food in your stomach and drinking less
potent drinks will enhance safety.
WOMEN
One Drink Equals:
BEER
=
12 oz
=
4 oz
1.5 oz
Example: Generally, a 130 lb.
woman who consumes about
3.2 average drinks in 4 hours
will have a safer BAC < .05
and be at a lower risk for
accident or injury.
Consuming or possessing
alcohol under the age of 21
is illegal in Illinois.
Health Enhancement
Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Example: A 130 lb. woman who has 3.2
drinks or less in 4 hours is "safer."
Consuming or possessing alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal in Illinois.
NOTE: There are many factors which increase your BAC. These include drinking potent drinks, gulping/chugging drinks, drinking on an empty stomach, and
drinking cold, carbonated drinks. ALSO: For people who are ill or on medication, pregnant women or alcoholics, drinking may always be risky.
Effects of Alcohol
BAC
Safety
# of
Drinks
Physical / Emotional / Behavioral Effects
Safer
1-3
Efficiency of the cortex (uppermost part) of the brain is reduced.
 Inhibitions become relaxed
 Feelings of warmth and relaxation
 Increased heart rate
 Some loss of coordination
Impaired
3-10
Area of the brain that controls movement becomes depressed.
 Further loss of coordination; judgement becomes impaired
 Reaction time is reduced; noticeable clumsiness
 Exaggerated emotions and talkativeness
 Ability to operate motor vehicles is impaired
 Speech is slurred
Incapacitated
10-15
Reduced functioning of lower portion of brain; strong intoxication marked
by difficulty with motor functions.
 Cannot walk without help; person feels like lying down
 Extreme degree of emotionality with little provocation
 Double vision
 Confusion and/or high degree of uninhibited behavior
 Argumentative, hostile behavior
Life
threatening
15-25+
Depression of brain area devoted to perception; severe intoxication renders
drinker difficult to awaken.
 Loss of feeling, unconsciousness
 Shock followed by coma and death from respiratory or cardiovascular
failure
.01 - .05
.05 - .20
.20 - .30
.30 >
For more information contact Health Enhancement at 815-753-9755.
Visit our website at: www.health.niu.edu
12.10