Alcohol Effects & Consequences PDF

Alcohol hydrocarbon chain Alcohols Organic compound (hydrocarbon chain) with a hydroxyl group (OH) We will mostly be talking about ethanol when we say alcohol Alcohols The hydroxyl group makes the molecules hydrophilic (water- loving) Molecules cannot be ioni...

Alcohol hydrocarbon chain Alcohols Organic compound (hydrocarbon chain) with a hydroxyl group (OH) We will mostly be talking about ethanol when we say alcohol Alcohols The hydroxyl group makes the molecules hydrophilic (water- loving) Molecules cannot be ionized ↳ dissolve easy in water How is alcohol produced? ↳ yeast metabolizes sugen Fermentation which creates ethand Metabolic processes of yeast convert sugar into carbon dioxide and ethanol Type of beverage depends on source of sugar Grape juice = wine; grains = beer Alcohol content 100 mg/100ml) reduces genital arousal Consequences of Alcohol Use Chronic Use Liver damage Cirrhosis means “scarring”; liver fills with scar tissue which diminishes its function; fatal > 5 drinks per day over 5 years 8% of chronic alcoholics Consequences of Alcohol Use Chronic Use Neuropsychological syndromes Korsakoff’s syndrome Anterograde amnesia; temporally graded retrograde amnesia; confabulation; disorientation Due to Thiamin (B1) deficiency (do not eat a balanced diet)  Consequences of Alcohol Use Chronic Use they as Neuropsychological syndromes cont can inve to Alcohol dementia sume A 10% of cases of dementia, gradual decline in alcohol cognitive function, cerebral atrophy goes beyond Upregulation of glutamate with chronic use, á levels of what they E can maintain glutamate excitotoxicity causes cell death 35 drinks per week males; 28 for females for > 5 years Consequences of Alcohol Use exposed Chronic Use which tohid a drinking t damages Smok ing Cancer - Increased risk of mouth, throat, liver cancer Acetaldehyde metabolite is g a carcinogen; damages DNA Augments effects of carcinogens in cigarette smoke Consequences of Alcohol Use Chronic Use of Reproduction low levels Males sperm count & Impotence, shrinking testicles, gynecomastia, loss of sexual interest, Decreased production of testosterone, increased metabolism of testosterone Females Amenorrhea “cessation of menstruation”, dysmenorrhea “painful menstruation” Consequences of Alcohol Use Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Alcohol is teratogenic Symptoms: intellectual disability, poor coordination, loss of not muscle tone, low birth weight every mother will ive birth Distinct facial characteristics 9 child to Small eyes, droopy eyelids, thin upper lip / FAS Rate: 0.5 -2 per 1,000 live births in US (6% of births to alcoholic mothers) Necessary, but not sufficient (many healthy births) ↑ Consequences of Alcohol Use Other reproductive 12 mg alcohol/day á risk of low birth weight; however, lower consumption on weekends á weight Heart disease Degeneration of heart muscle (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) Moderate consumption â risk; binging and irregular heavy drinking á risk Consequences of Alcohol Use Benefits: Moderate consumption (1-2 drinks per day) reduces relative risk of coronary heart disease (â risk of heart attack in men by 25%) reduces LDL; increases HDL reduces incidence of Type II diabetes (â 60%) reduces risk of ischemic stroke beneficial effect on dementia and Alzheimer’s Risks increase with higher levels of consumption Benefits for older (> 60), < 60 alcohol associated with á risk of dying Treatment  for alcohol withdrawal & Pharmacological Treatment Disulfiram (Antabuse) leads to cho 3getting inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase person ill if drink alcohol due to build up of acetylaldehyde problem with compliance; 80% noncompliant effective only with supervision they drink Naltrexone (ReVia) blocks opiate receptors in the brain highera blocks high and feelings of intoxication reduces consumption, craving for alcohol, likelihood of relapse best for family history positive (FHP) individuals and high levels of cravings  hard on liver function & Pharmacological Treatment Acamprosate suppresses glutamate activity which becomes hyperactive post withdrawal â aversiveness of withdrawal, less likely to relapse â alcohol consumption in rats Long acting Benzodiazepines (Valium; Librium) are the most common treatment Cross-dependence with alcohol Galeviates badu/d symptoms  v. prevalent Alcoholics Anonymous R Founded 1935 by Smith and Wilson Fellowship & helping others to stay sober Characteristics: Admit powerless over alcohol, unable to control without help No cure Attend regular meetings See each other outside meetings, social support Effectiveness: 64% drop out in first year Provides alternative source of reinforcement and engages them in activities incompatible with drinking Long-term effectiveness estimated at 5-10% notoverya Alcohol Consumption - recent Guidelines Low Risk: 1 or 2 drinks/week guidelines Moderate Risk: 3 to 6 drinks/week á risk of cancer (women: risk of breast cancer á with 3 drinks/week High Risk: 7 or more drinks/week á risk of heart disease and stroke