Alcohol, Tobacco, and Caffeine Overview

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Caffeine Outline

• Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol is an addictive substance produced by breaking down plant sugars. The process occurs at high temperatures, where the alcohol is released, condensed, and mixed with water to create a beverage.

• Proof: Measures the percentage of alcohol in a beverage.

  • Typical alcohol percentages in beverages:
    • Wine: 12-15%
    • Ales: 6-8%
    • Beer: 2-6%

• Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC): The ratio of alcohol to total blood volume.

  • BAC levels correlate with different degrees of driving impairment.

Binge Drinking

• Definition: Drinking a significant amount of alcohol in a short period (e.g., 5 drinks in an hour, 4 drinks in an hour for women).

• Effects: Significant health problems and can lead to alcohol poisoning or long-term consequences such as liver damage.

Effects of Alcohol

• Symptoms: Muscle and headaches, upset stomach, anxiety, depression, dehydration.
• Physical Effects: Shrinkage of brain size, increased heart rate, high blood pressure. Permanent liver damage (cirrhosis) can occur.
• Cancer: Can lead to stomach, mouth, tongue, esophagus, liver, and other cancers.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• A disorder that may affect the fetus when the mother consumes alcohol during pregnancy.
• Effects include: mental retardation, small head size, tremors, and physical abnormalities in the face and limbs.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

• An organization that helps alcoholics stop drinking.
• Al-Anon: A group for adult relatives and friends of alcoholics to understand the disease and how to help in recovery.
• Alateen: A group that helps adolescents who live with alcoholic parents.

Tobacco

• Main chemical: Nicotine is a stimulant found in various tobacco products.
• Other chemicals: Many other harmful chemicals, often compared to substances like butane, lighter fluid, etc., are present in tobacco products.
• Tobacco Products: Tobacco (in various forms like cigarettes, pipes or cigars) is smoked or chewed, and the nicotine is released into the body.

Effects of Smoking

• A variety of cancers (nose, mouth, throat, lungs, kidneys, bladder).
• Shortness of breath, chronic bronchitis, emphysema.
• Other health issues: leukaemia, affected fertility, gangrene, and numerous other symptoms like a stroke. Cardiovascular problems are also observed.

Caffeine

• Found in: Coffee, tea, chocolate, and some soft drinks.
• Side effects: Wakefulness, insomnia, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, nausea, indigestion, and heartburn.