The body must process the Alcohol The body must process the Alcohol because it is poison!!because it is poison!!

Body actually creates .3 grams of Body actually creates .3 grams of ethanol per day during fermentation ethanol per day during fermentation in the digestive system in the digestive system

Biologically we have enzymes that Biologically we have enzymes that process this toxin so it doesn’t kill usprocess this toxin so it doesn’t kill us

Series of biochemical steps Series of biochemical steps breaks down alcoholbreaks down alcohol

1. Alcohol is broken down by dehydrogenase

enzyme into Aldehyde

2. Aldehyde is broken down

by dehydrogenase

enzyme into acetate

3. Acetate processed by mitochondria during cellular respiration

Individuals also react Individuals also react differently due to…..differently due to…..

Body weightBody weight GenderGender DietDiet Liver healthLiver health MoodMood Amount of sleep Amount of sleep Use of other drugsUse of other drugs

Alcohol inhibits Alcohol inhibits reactions and is a reactions and is a

central nervous system central nervous system DEPRESSANTDEPRESSANT

People often think alcohol is People often think alcohol is a stimulant.a stimulant.

They think that they speak They think that they speak more intelligently, dance more intelligently, dance

better etc.better etc.This is not the case….. This is not the case…..

Alcohol affects judgment!!Alcohol affects judgment!!

Experts agree alcohol plays Experts agree alcohol plays a part a part in over ½ in over ½ of all fatal of all fatal

road accidents!!road accidents!!

As the amount of alcohol As the amount of alcohol increases, so does the increases, so does the

risk of being in an risk of being in an accident!accident!

But by how much???But by how much???

A study was conducted in A study was conducted in Grand Rapids Michigan to Grand Rapids Michigan to

look at causes of traffic look at causes of traffic accidents.accidents.

They collected data on They collected data on 13,575 drivers13,575 drivers

For example, a person with a BAC of .1 is how many

more times likely to have an accident

than someone who hasn’t been drinking??

This data was used to calculate

relative probability of

causing an accident at

different BAC.

6 times!!

How about at a .15?

25 times more likely!

Other impacts on society….Other impacts on society….

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome = F.A.S.Fetal Alcohol Syndrome = F.A.S.Results of women drinking alcohol during pregnancyResults of women drinking alcohol during pregnancy

FAS – FAS – – Stunted growthStunted growth– Characteristic facial featuresCharacteristic facial features– Mental retardationMental retardation– Difficulty with coordinationDifficulty with coordination– Behavioral problemsBehavioral problems– Learning disabilitiesLearning disabilities– Speech and language delaySpeech and language delay– Altered muscle toneAltered muscle tone– SeizuresSeizures– Etc.Etc.

FASFAS Range of effectsRange of effects

– Alcohol use appears to be the most Alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first 3 months of harmful during the first 3 months of pregnancy; however, drinking alcohol pregnancy; however, drinking alcohol any time during pregnancy can be any time during pregnancy can be harmful harmful

– It is impossible to predict how a fetus It is impossible to predict how a fetus will be affectedwill be affected

– 1 in 100 births 1 in 100 births – (8% of all pregnant women are (8% of all pregnant women are

alcoholics)alcoholics)

Mixing Alcohol and drugs

Alcohol does not mix well with drugs, even over the counter drugs.

For example, too much Acetaminophen can cause fatal liver failure!! (tylenol/excedrin etc.)

Never take acetaminophen for hang-overs – it is a common cause of emergency room trips for partiers