Understanding AlcoholUnderstanding Alcohol
Ethanol: psychoactive drug in alcoholic
beverages
ALCOHOL
What are the 7 organs that are What are the 7 organs that are responsible for alcohol absorption responsible for alcohol absorption and metabolization? and metabolization?
The Path The Path of Alcoholof Alcohol
KIDNEYS
LIVER
BRAIN
HEART
SMALL INTESTINE
STOMACH
MOUTH
Path of AlcoholEthanol:
psychoactive drug in alcoholic
beverages
MOUTH
STOMACH
Some alcohol is absorbed; 20-30% is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase
SMALLINTESTINE
HEART
Main site of alcohol absorption
Blood Alcohol Concentration
Amount of alcohol in the bloodstream
BRAIN
Depresses Central Nervous System (CNS)
ADH hormone – increases urine production
12oz beer = 5 oz wine = 1.5 oz liquor
= =
12 oz. Beer
5 oz. Wine
1.5 oz. 80 proofliquor
One drink per hour
LIVER Main site of alcohol metabolism
0.5 oz per hour
So, how does impairment So, how does impairment occur?occur?
Blood Alcohol Concentration - BACBlood Alcohol Concentration - BAC The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.
Factors that influence BACFactors that influence BAC
GenderGenderMen v. WomenMen v. Women
Alcohol Dehydrogenase Alcohol Dehydrogenase Body FatBody Fat
Body Composition/WeightBody Composition/WeightMetabolismMetabolismTimeTime
Between drinks and cessationBetween drinks and cessation
Food content in the stomachFood content in the stomach
Blood Alcohol ConcentrationBlood Alcohol Concentration
The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream. The amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream.
Tolerance does NOT effect BAC. BAC will continue to rise! With tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of impairment may not directly correlate with BAC.
Does a person’s tolerance effect Does a person’s tolerance effect their BAC?their BAC?
Review QuestionsReview QuestionsList in order List in order (7 (7
structures/organs)structures/organs), , the path that the path that alcohol travels in alcohol travels in the body from the body from consumption to consumption to metabolization.metabolization.
In ounces, how In ounces, how much is one drink? much is one drink? Include beer, wine, Include beer, wine, and liquor. and liquor.
In ounces, how much In ounces, how much alcohol is in one drink? alcohol is in one drink?
Extra Credit: Extra Credit: A man and woman consume the same A man and woman consume the same amount of alcohol. Based upon the general population, what amount of alcohol. Based upon the general population, what are two reasons that the man may not be affected by the are two reasons that the man may not be affected by the alcohol as much as the woman?alcohol as much as the woman?
BAC ChartsBAC Charts
http://www.ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm
Consequences of Long Term Use and Abuse
Consequences of Single Use
Conditions Impairment and Changes in Personality and Feelings
Alcohol Use and Abuse
Conditions Impairment and Changes in Personality and Feelings
Alcohol Use and Abuse
Stroke and Brain Damage
Cirrhosis of the liver
Cancer
Consequences of Alcohol Consequences of Alcohol Use/AbuseUse/Abuse
Depresses the immune systemDepresses the immune system
Cirrhosis of the liverCirrhosis of the liver
Stroke Stroke
CancerCancer
Brain DamageBrain Damage
Tolerance: needing more and more of a substance to get the
same effect
So does tolerance affect BAC?
NO! If you drink, BAC is going to rise; however if you have a high tolerance, the onset of physical characteristics of intoxication may not directly correlate with a person’s BAC.
MOUTHMOUTH
STOMACHSTOMACH
- Alcohol enters the body - Up to 5% of the alcohol is absorbed
- 20% of the alcohol is absorbed- 20-30% of alcohol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase- travels through the pyloric valve to the small intestine
SMALL INTESTINESMALL INTESTINE- The remainder of the alcohol is absorbed
HEARTHEART- Pumps alcohol throughthe body-Blood vessels dilate
BRAINBRAIN
-Depresses the cerebral cortex
-Pituitary gland releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and urine production increases
LIVERLIVER-Metabolism occurs
-Liver prioritizes the breakdown of alcohol over it’s normal functions.
KIDNEYSKIDNEYS
- Excreted from the body as urine
Review QuestionsReview Questions 11. What is the psychoactive drug found in all . What is the psychoactive drug found in all
alcoholic beverages?alcoholic beverages? 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which 2. List in order, the 7 “organs” through which
alcohol passes from consumption to urine alcohol passes from consumption to urine production. production.
3. 3. What organ is the main site of alcohol What organ is the main site of alcohol absorption? Metabolization?absorption? Metabolization?
4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, 4. If a person drinks 2 oz. of alcohol in one hour, how long will it take the liver to break it down? how long will it take the liver to break it down? WhyWhy
Alcohol PoisoningAlcohol Poisoning SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS
Vomiting and nausea – 1Vomiting and nausea – 1stst sign!!! sign!!!Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric Large concentrations of alcohol will close the pyloric
valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The valve, trapping the alcohol in the stomach. The irritation will cause vomiting.irritation will cause vomiting.
Loss of reflexesLoss of reflexes Loss of consciousness; “passed out”Loss of consciousness; “passed out” Pulse is weak and rapidPulse is weak and rapid Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8 Breathing is unusual or irregular (fewer than 8
breaths per minute)breaths per minute) Skin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluishSkin is cool (possibly damp), pale or bluish You can not wake the personYou can not wake the person
Consequences of Alcohol Consequences of Alcohol Use/AbuseUse/Abuse
Drunk Driving – Traffic FatalitiesDrunk Driving – Traffic Fatalities
Teenage pregnancyTeenage pregnancy
Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of Contributing factor to the top 3 causes of death among teensdeath among teens
AccidentsAccidentsSuicideSuicideHomicideHomicide
Consequences of Alcohol Consequences of Alcohol Use/AbuseUse/Abuse
Depresses the immune systemDepresses the immune system
Cirrhosis of the liverCirrhosis of the liver
Stroke Stroke
CancerCancer
Brain DamageBrain Damage
The Effects of AlcoholThe Effects of AlcoholIn low doses, alcohol produces:In low doses, alcohol produces:
a relaxing effect a relaxing effect reduces tension reduces tension lowers inhibitions lowers inhibitions impairs concentration impairs concentration slows reflexes slows reflexes impairs reaction time impairs reaction time reduces coordinationreduces coordination
The Effects of AlcoholThe Effects of Alcohol
In medium doses, alcohol In medium doses, alcohol produces: produces: slurred speech slurred speech cause drowsiness cause drowsiness alter emotions alter emotions
The Effects of AlcoholThe Effects of Alcohol
In high doses, alcohol In high doses, alcohol produces: produces: vomiting vomiting breathing difficulties breathing difficulties unconsciousness unconsciousness coma coma