Alcohol PDF

YOUR Alcohol MATTER SCIENCE 6 Why Alcohol is Harmful Short-term Effects of Alcohol Use Long-term Effects of Alcohol Use Alcoholism a...

YOUR Alcohol MATTER SCIENCE 6 Why Alcohol is Harmful Short-term Effects of Alcohol Use Long-term Effects of Alcohol Use Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Next >> Alcohol Facts Alcohol is a DRUG ○ Chemical substance that is taken to cause changes in a person’s body or behavior. Alcohol is a DEPRESSANT ○ A drug that slows down the central nervous system. ○ If too much is consumed, vital functions may be affected that could lead to coma or death. Alcohol is produced through a process known as FERMENTATION. ○ Yeast feed on sugars from malt, grapes, or berries. The byproduct of this is carbon dioxide and alcohol. Binge Drinking The act of drinking 5 or more drinks in 1 sitting. ▪ reaction The ability of the body to respond quickly and time appropriately to situations ▪ intoxication A person’s mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol ▪ alcohol A dangerous condition that results when a person poisoning drinks excessive amounts of alcohol over a short time period A drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in ▪ alcohol fruits, vegetables, and grains Drugs that slow down the body’s functions and ▪ depressants reactions ▪ alternatives Other ways of thinking or acting ▪ tolerance A process in which your body needs more and more of a drug to get the same effect ▪ addiction A physical or psychological need for a drug A progressive, chronic disease involving a mental ▪ alcoholism and physical need for alcohol A process in which your body needs more and ▪ tolerance more of a drug to get the same effect ▪ alcoholism A progressive, chronic disease involving a mental and physical need for alcohol ▪ physical A type of addiction in which the body itself feels a dependence direct need for a drug Persons who create an atmosphere in which the ▪ enablers alcoholic can comfortably continue his or her unacceptable behavior ▪ alcohol A pattern of drinking that results in one or more abuse well-defined behaviors within a twelve-month period What Is Alcohol? Alcohol - A drug that is produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables, and grains Acts as a depressant Comes in many forms (beer, wine, whiskey…) that are all very harmful to the body Is considered to be the most abused drug  Drugs affect the Drugs cause Alcohol is a drug. brain and central changes in nervous system. behavior. Alcohol belongs to a group of drugs known as depressants. depressants Drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions  Alcohol increases Alcohol interferes the risk of with long- and depression, suicide, short-term growth. and thoughts of Alcohol Use and Teens violence. Alcohol harms the Teens who drink Risks of brain’s ability to learn, risk getting into Alcohol Use causing teens to fall trouble with behind in school. the law. Alcohol increases One third of all the risk of social teen traffic deaths are related problems. to alcohol. Reasons Not to Drink Alcohol You are taking Using alcohol health risks when is against the you drink alcohol. law for teens. If you don’t use You want to make alcohol, you will be decisions that help better able to handle you become a the challenges of strong person. everyday life. Reasons Not to Drink Alcohol Drinking and driving is deadly because of what alcohol does to a person’s reaction time. Alcohol is one of the biggest factors in teen traffic deaths. Alternatives to Drinking Alcohol Sports Challenging your body Being part of a team Learning a new skill Discovering a new talent Pursuing interests in theater or the arts Alternatives to Drinking Alcohol Becoming an advocate gives you a chance to make a difference in the lives of others. Examples of Advocacy Groups Students Against Teens Against Youth for Destructive Decisions Tobacco Use Environmental Sanity (SADD) (T.A.T.U.) SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL USE 1. Alcohol and the Body If there is no food in the stomach, alcohol can reach the brain in under a minute and slow reaction time. reaction time The ability of the body to respond quickly and appropriately to situations SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL USE 2. Intoxication The liver can only process about half an ounce of alcohol per hour. - Anything more stays in the blood causing intoxication. - People who are heavily intoxicated are at risk of alcohol poisoning. intoxication A person’s mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol alcohol poisoning A dangerous condition that results when a person drinks excessive amounts of alcohol over a short time period SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL USE 3.Alcohol Use and Violence - Two-thirds of all domestic violence cases are related to alcohol abuse. - Violence increases at sporting events where alcohol is served. Long-term Physical Effects of Alcohol Use Damage to Worsening of Long-lasting organs like the learning and existing stomach, liver, memory pancreas, and health problems problems heart Damage to a Physical and person’s emotional emotional addiction health Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse There is a difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse. Alcoholism - a progressive, chronic disease involving a mental and physical need for alcohol. Alcohol abuse -a pattern of drinking that results in one or more well-defined behaviors in a twelve-month period.  Alcoholism Five Major Symptoms of Alcoholism Denial Craving Loss of control Physical Tolerance dependence tolerance - a process in which your body needs more and more of a drug/alcohol to get the same effect physical dependence - a type of addiction in which the body itself feels a direct need for a drug Alcoholism Alcoholism ○ People who can no longer control their use of alcohol Physically Body requires alcohol to function Psychologically Alcoholics consider drinking an essential part of coping with life ○ Changes to the brain Tolerance builds Drinker needs larger quantities to get the desired effect Dependence Brain develops a chemical need for alcohol Addiction No longer has control over their drinking  Alcohol Abuse Four Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home responsibilities Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous Having ongoing alcohol-related legal problems Continuing to drink even when relationships have been negatively affected by the person’s use of alcohol  Alcoholism A disease that causes a person to lose control of his or her drinking behavior; a physical and emotional addiction to alcohol. Problem Tolerance Dependence Drinking Alcoholism Alcohol Abuse Drinking too much alcohol, drinking it too often, or drinking it at inappropriate times.  Alcohol’s Effects on the Body When people consume alcohol faster than the body can break it down INTOXICATION occurs. ○ State in which a person’s mental and physical capabilities have been impaired by alcohol or another substance. Effects on the Body Systems ○ Cardio Heart and blood pressure increase More blood flow to surface of skin Core body temp decreases ○ Excretory Kidneys produce more urine Drinker loses more water; becoming dehydrated ○ Nervous Brain slows down Coordination is impaired Judgement is impaired Reflexes are slowed ○ Digestive Too much alcohol can lead to vomiting Alcohol’s Effects on Behavior Alcohol causes impaired judgement, and loss of self-control. Alcohol decreases a person’s natural fears People may become violent Some people act foolish/silly Blackout ○ A period of time a drinker can’t recall Brain loses the ability to make memories Person may unknowingly hurt themselves or others