Alcohol’s Effects on the Body

Objectives:– Summarize the effects of

intoxication on the body systems.– List 4 factors that affect blood

alcohol concentration.– Identify 3 ways that intoxication

may lead to death. Key Words:

– Intoxication– Blackout– Blood alcohol concentration

(BAC)– Hangover– Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)– Overdose– Binge Drinking

Warm-Up: How is reaction time affected by alcohol? Explain how a longer reaction time affects a person’s safety on the road.

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0.02 0.05 0.08

Blood Alcohol Concentration

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Physical & Behavioral Effects:Effects on Body Systems

Cardiovascular System: – Heart rate & blood pressure

increase– More blood flows to skin

surface– Core body temperature

decreases Excretory System:

– Kidneys increase urine production

– Drinker loses more water from body than usual

Nervous System– Brain activity slows down– Coordination becomes

impaired– Sensations & perception

become less clear– Reflexes become sluggish

Digestive System– Too much alcohol in the

stomach may cause vomiting

Physical & Behavioral Effects:Effects on Behavior

With intoxication:– Drinkers lose judgment

& self-control– Natural fears are

decreased– Express anger in

violent or destructive ways

– Shy people may behave in outgoing ways, acting foolishly

Blackout: period of time a person cannot recall

– No memory of events while intoxicated

– May harm others or be harmed & not know it

– Can happen to 1st time & experienced drinkers

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage.

The higher a person’s BAC, the more severe the physical & behavioral effects

Alcohol is absorbed, not digested

– Stomach absorbs 20%– Small intestine absorbs

80%

Factors affecting BAC– Rate of Consumption :Liver

oxidizes approx. 1 drink per hour

– Gender: Males have lower BAC than females

– Body Size: • Smaller people have

higher BAC than larger• Higher % fat = more

drunk– Amount of Food in

Stomach: empty stomach increases rate of absorption

When Blood Alcohol Concentration Is…

0.02-0.03: Reflexes & alertness decline

0.04-0.06: Judgment & self control are impaired; Reaction time slows

0.07-0.09: Muscle coordination & balance decreases; 0.08=legally drunk

0.12-0.15: Vomiting occurs; emotions become exaggerated, unstable or violent; possible blackout; memory loss

0.20: Confusion, dizziness, disorientation; vision & speech impaired; blackouts typical

*0.30: Unable to stand/walk; loss of consciousness may occur; drunken stupor

*0.40: loss of consciousness usually occurs; death may occur; level of surgical anesthesia; may stop breathing

*0.50+: Death usually occurs

* People have died at this level

Blood Alcohol Concentration

After Drinking Ends– “Sober Up:

• BAC begins to decrease• Effects slowly diminish

– Only Time will help to sober a person

Estimating BAC:

Hangovers: after-effects of drinking too much alcohol

– Nausea– Headache– Sensitivity to Noise

# Drinks (per hour)

Males Females

100-120 lb 120-140 lb 140-160 lb 100-120 lb 120-140 lb 140-160 lb

1 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.04 0.03

3 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.13 0.11 0.07

5 0.18 0.15 0.12 0.21 0.18 0.15

7 0.24 0.20 0.17 0.30 0.25 0.22

Life-Threatening Effects

Motor Vehicle Crashes– Alcohol involved in 40%

fatal MVA.– DWI:

• Over the age of 21 & BAC > 0.08

• Lose Driver’s License• Fines & Jail Time

– Zero-Tolerance Laws:• Under 21: Any BAC

above 0.00 is illegal Interactions with other

drugs-exponential effects

Overdose– Taking excessive amount of

a drug that leads to coma or death

– Alcohol Poisoning• BAC can continue to rise

for 30-90 minutes after last drink as it is absorbed

– Binge Drinking: consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol @ 1 sitting

• ≥ 4 drinks: females• ≥ 5 drinks: males• 1 in 5 binge drinkers is an

alcoholic

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body

1. What is intoxication?2. Describe the effects of intoxication on four body

systems.3. List 4 factors that affect blood alcohol

concentration.4. What are 3 ways that intoxication can lead to

death?5. For drives over 21, how is DWI defined?6. What is an overdose? How could binge drinking

cause an alcohol overdose?