Alcohol Lesson 1

What Alcohol does to the Body

Do Now

• List two or three ways that you think alcohol negatively affects the body

Alcohol and the Body

• Alcohol- A drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Ex. Grapes=wine Potatoes=vodka wheat/barley= beer

• Alcohol is a depressant, which slows down the functions of the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

• Excessive use over long periods of time can effect every organ in the body.

Effects of alcohol on the body

1) Mouth/Esophagus-Short term- Tongue, gums, and throat are affected.

Breath smells.Long Term- Damage occurs to tissues of the esophagus,

resulting in possible bleeding.2) Heart and blood vesselsShort term- Perspiration increases, skin becomes flushedLong term- High blood pressure and damage to the heart

muscle is common. Blood vessels harden and become less flexible.

3) Brain and Nervous system-Short term- Speech is slurred and vision is blurred. The drinker has a hard time walking. Long Term- Brain cells, many of which cannot be replaced, are destroyed. Numbness occurs in hands and feet.

4) Liver-Short term- liver changes alcohol=H2O+CO2Long Term- liver is damaged resulting in cirrhosisCirrhosis- scarring and destruction of the liver.

Most alcoholics die of this disease.

5) Stomach and Pancreas-Short term- stomach acids increase which often

results in nausea and vomiting.Long term-Irritation occurs in the stomach

lining, causing open sores called ulcers. Pancreas becomes inflamed causing problems with digestion.

Alcohol and the IndividualThe effects of alcohol is influenced by many factors

Body size- The larger the person=more alcohol consumed

Gender- Alcohol goes into the bloodstream quicker for females bc of fat cells.

Time Frame-how much you drink in a period of time. Excess alcohol cannot be broken down

Amount-more alcohol=more alcohol in bloodstream. Too much alcohol causes alcohol poisoning.

Food- Food slows down alcohol going into the bloodstream by absorption.

Medicine- Alcohol can interfere with the effects of medicine. Medicines can intensify the effects of alcohol. Ex. 2drinks with medicine may feel like 5 drinks.

Alcohol Content of different drinks

• Beer= 12oz---5% alcohol by volume• Wine= 4oz---12-15% alcohol by volume• Hard Liquor—40% alcohol by volume

(BAC) Blood alcohol concentration- The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.

.08 in NJ is the legal limit.

Binge Drinking- The consumption of several alcoholic drinks in a short period of time.

A lot of alcohol=depressant=stop breathing=dead

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)- group of alcohol- related birth defects that includes both physical and mental problems.

#1 cause of mental retardation in the U.S.

Alcohol and Teens

• Alcohol disrupts a teens growth process, poor language skills, reduced hormones, delay the onset of the menstrual cycle and sexual maturity

• 2/3 of suicides in college involve alcohol• ½ of all traffic death under 25 involve alcohol• ¼ of violent crimes by teens involve alcohol• 1/3 of date rape cases among teens involve

alcohol.