Alcohol A product that is only legal for those that are 21 years of age, alcohol is a depressant that comes from organic sources including grapes, grains.

AlcoholAlcoholA product that is only legal for those that are A product that is only legal for those that are

21 years of age, alcohol is a 21 years of age, alcohol is a depressantdepressant that comes from organic sources including that comes from organic sources including grapes, grains and berries. These products grapes, grains and berries. These products are fermented and distilled into a liquid. are fermented and distilled into a liquid.

Alcohol affects every part of the body. It is Alcohol affects every part of the body. It is carried through the bloodstream to the carried through the bloodstream to the brain, stomach, internal organs, liver, brain, stomach, internal organs, liver, kidneys, muscles – everywhere. It is kidneys, muscles – everywhere. It is

absorbed very quickly (as short as 5 - 10 absorbed very quickly (as short as 5 - 10 minutes) and can stay in the body for minutes) and can stay in the body for

several hours several hours

AlcoholAlcohol

The Path of Alcohol in the body The Path of Alcohol in the body

MouthMouth: alcohol enters the body. : alcohol enters the body.

StomachStomach: some alcohol gets into the : some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes

on to the small intestine. on to the small intestine.

SmallSmall IntestineIntestine: alcohol enters the : alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small bloodstream through the walls of the small

intestine. intestine.

HeartHeart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. : pumps alcohol throughout the body.

Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain.

LiverLiver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate : alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 1 drink per hour. of about 1 drink per hour.

AlcoholAlcoholAlcohol affects the central nervous system Alcohol affects the central nervous system

and brain. It can make users loosen up, relax, and brain. It can make users loosen up, relax, and feel more comfortable, or can make them and feel more comfortable, or can make them

more aggressive.more aggressive.

Unfortunately, it also lowers their inhibitions, Unfortunately, it also lowers their inhibitions, which can set them up for embarrassing or which can set them up for embarrassing or

dangerous behavior. In fact, each year dangerous behavior. In fact, each year approximately 5,000 young people under the approximately 5,000 young people under the

age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking. age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking. This statistic includes about 1,900 deaths This statistic includes about 1,900 deaths

from motor vehicle accidents; 1,600 from motor vehicle accidents; 1,600 homicides; 300 suicides; and hundreds of homicides; 300 suicides; and hundreds of

others stemming from injuries such as falls, others stemming from injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.burns and drowning.

A standard drink isA standard drink is::

One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler;cooler;

One 5-ounce glass of wine; orOne 5-ounce glass of wine; or1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

Alcohol transfers Alcohol transfers from the blood into from the blood into

the alveolar air the alveolar air sacs in the lungs. sacs in the lungs. As a result, it is As a result, it is

possible to predict possible to predict with a high degree with a high degree

of accuracy, the of accuracy, the blood alcohol blood alcohol

concentration at concentration at that same point in that same point in

time.time.

AlcoholAlcohol

AlcoholAlcohol

AlcoholAlcohol

Motor coordinationMotor coordination.. This includes This includes the ability to walk, drive and the ability to walk, drive and

process information.process information.

Impulse controlImpulse control.. Drinking lowers Drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the inhibitions and increases the chances that a person will do chances that a person will do

something that they will regret something that they will regret when they are sober. when they are sober.

AlcoholAlcohol

MemoryMemory.. Impaired recollection and Impaired recollection and even blackouts can occur when too even blackouts can occur when too much alcohol has been consumed. much alcohol has been consumed.

Judgment and decision making Judgment and decision making capacitycapacity.. Drinking may lead young Drinking may lead young people to engage in risky behaviors people to engage in risky behaviors that can result in illness, injury and that can result in illness, injury and

even death. even death.

Binge Drinking Binge Drinking

This typically happens when men consume 5 or more This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more

drinks, in about 2 hours.drinks, in about 2 hours.

Fetal Alcohol SyndromeFetal Alcohol Syndrome

Another consequence of alcohol use is Another consequence of alcohol use is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Inside Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Inside the mother, a fetus is fed through the the mother, a fetus is fed through the

placenta. Because alcohol passes placenta. Because alcohol passes easily through the placenta, every easily through the placenta, every time the mother drinks alcohol, the time the mother drinks alcohol, the

developing fetus gets a dose of developing fetus gets a dose of alcohol. Alcohol disrupts normal alcohol. Alcohol disrupts normal brain development - THAT IS A brain development - THAT IS A

FACT!!! Fetal exposure to alcohol can FACT!!! Fetal exposure to alcohol can impair the development of the corpus impair the development of the corpus

callosum (the main connection callosum (the main connection between the right and left between the right and left hemispheres of the brain.hemispheres of the brain.

FASFAS

Alcohol's EffectsAlcohol's Effects

A number of factors determine the effect A number of factors determine the effect alcohol has on individuals alcohol has on individuals

SPEED OF DRINKINGSPEED OF DRINKING - The more rapidly - The more rapidly the beverage is ingested, the higher the the beverage is ingested, the higher the peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  The liver metabolizes about 1/2 ounce of The liver metabolizes about 1/2 ounce of

alcohol per hour.alcohol per hour.

PRESENCE OF FOOD IN THE STOMACHPRESENCE OF FOOD IN THE STOMACH - - Eating while drinking slows down the Eating while drinking slows down the

absorption rate.  When alcoholic absorption rate.  When alcoholic beverages are taken with a substantial beverages are taken with a substantial meal, peak BAC may be reduced by as meal, peak BAC may be reduced by as

much as 50%.much as 50%.

BODY WEIGHTBODY WEIGHT - The larger person has more - The larger person has more blood and requires greater amounts of blood and requires greater amounts of

alcohol to reach a given BAC.alcohol to reach a given BAC.

Alcohol's EffectsAlcohol's Effects

DRINKING HISTORY/TOLERANCEDRINKING HISTORY/TOLERANCE - - Increasing amounts of alcohol are needed Increasing amounts of alcohol are needed

to result in the physical and behavioral to result in the physical and behavioral reactions formerly produced at lesser reactions formerly produced at lesser

concentrations, if there is a long history of concentrations, if there is a long history of drinking.drinking.

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT - There may be differences - There may be differences in alcohol's effects, depending upon where in alcohol's effects, depending upon where

one drinks (e.g., local bar, with family, one drinks (e.g., local bar, with family, hostile environment, etc.).hostile environment, etc.).

THE DRINKER'S EXPECTATIONSTHE DRINKER'S EXPECTATIONS - Many - Many people become intoxicated on less alcohol people become intoxicated on less alcohol merely because they have that expectation merely because they have that expectation

before they begin drinking.before they begin drinking.

Alcohol's EffectsAlcohol's EffectsGENERAL STATE OF EMOTIONAL GENERAL STATE OF EMOTIONAL

AND PHYSICAL HEALTHAND PHYSICAL HEALTH - Many - Many people seem more susceptible to the people seem more susceptible to the

effects of alcohol when they are effects of alcohol when they are extremely fatigued, have recently extremely fatigued, have recently been ill, or are under emotional been ill, or are under emotional

stress and strain.  The usual amount stress and strain.  The usual amount of alcohol may result in of alcohol may result in uncomfortable effects.uncomfortable effects.

SEX DIFFERENCESSEX DIFFERENCES - Given the same - Given the same amount of alcohol and proportional amount of alcohol and proportional body weight, females will generally body weight, females will generally have a higher BAC than their male have a higher BAC than their male

counterparts, due to less body fluids counterparts, due to less body fluids to dilute the alcohol and to more to dilute the alcohol and to more

body fat.body fat.