AlcoholThe Self Inflicted Disease

Alcohol Facts…

Alcohol is probably the world's oldest

known drug. • For thousands of years fermented grain, fruit

juice and honey have been used to make alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

• Because of the big business alcohol brings in today's society the consumption and abuse of alcohol has become very socially accepted, but it is also a major public health problem.

Alcohol affects people depending on…

• age

• gender

• physical condition

• amount of food eaten

• other drugs or medicines taken

Alcohol & the central nervous system

Many different sites of the central nervous system are depressed with alcohol use.

• the reticular formation• spinal cord cerebellum• cerebral cortex• neurotransmitter systems

Alcohol molecule is very small and is soluble in "lipid" and water solutions. Because of this, very easily alcohol gets into the bloodstream and it also crosses the blood brain barrier.

Alcohol travels the entire body…

• Mouth: alcohol enters the body. • Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in

the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine. • Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through

the walls of the small intestine. • Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. • Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. • Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about

0.5 oz per hour. • Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and

energy.

Low dose alcohol use causes…

• a relaxing effect

• reduces tension

• lowers inhibitions

• impairs concentration

• slows reflexes

• impairs reaction time

• reduces coordination

Medium doses can…

• slur speech

• cause drowsiness

• alter emotions

Large doses produce…

• vomiting

• breathing difficulties

• unconsciousness

• coma

Neurochemical effects of alcohol are...

• Increased turnover of norepinephrine and dopamine

• Decreased transmission in acetylcholine systems

• Increased transmission in GABA systems

• Increased production of beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus

Long Term (chronic) drinking can…

• lead to dependence

• addiction to alcohol

• additional neurological problems

• Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms are…

• shaking (tremors)

• sleep problems

• Nausea

• hallucinations

• seizures

Chronic alcohol use can:

• Damage the frontal lobes of the brain

• Cause reduction in brain size

• Lead to alcoholism (addiction to alcohol)

• Cause a vitamin deficiency

"Wernicke's Encephalopathy“…

Syndrome when alcoholics are unable to absorb vitamin B-1 (thiamine)-- vitamin deficiency into the digestive system, causing…

• Impaired memory

• Confusion

• Lack of coordination

Brain diseases caused by alcohol…

And…

"Korsakoff's Syndrome.“…

when alcoholics suffer further deficiencies of thiamine leading to…

• Amnesia

• Apathy

• Disorientation

Predisposition…

• Because of family history of alcohol use you might be more probable to become alcoholic is you start drinking.

• Some research shows that if you have the DRD2A1 Allele gene and you use alcohol you will have a higher probability of becoming alcoholic…the problem is none of know if we have it…everyone who chooses to drink for the time is at risk of becoming alcoholic.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

• During pregnancy, a fetus-baby is fed through the placenta. Alcohol easily passes through the placenta and so every drink of alcohol a mother takes causes the developing fetus to “drink” alcohol. This causes abnormal brain development – ITS TRUE!!! Exposing un born babies to alcohol impairs proper development the main connection between the right and left sides of the brain, reducing the size of important areas of the brain and ultimately causing permanent brain damage.

FAS babies have…• smaller heads and brains

• some degree of mental retardation• • poor coordination

• hyperactivity

• abnormal facial features

Not all alcohol use is bad…Some people are able to drink alcohol without experiencing any

negative consequences...

• Age appropriate drinking—in the United States adults 21 years or older are allowed to drink and they won’t always become addicted

• Occasional drinking—socially or at celebrations, religiously or even with a meal every now and then

• Responsible drinking—making transportation arrangements, when one intends on drinking—NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE

21 years old= Occasionally= NEVER=

So what’s the point?

• It’s simple…making an educated choice about what you will and will not put into your body…that’s it…it’s up to you, are you willing to take the chance…after all your brain might really like it…but you could loose everything…eventually.