Harmful Effects of Alcohol Use

1
Harmful Effects of Alcohol Use
Did you know that the harmful effects of alcohol
could be triggered by an interaction of alcohol
and medication?
2
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, youll learn to

• Examine the short-term effects of alcohol use.
• Associate risk-taking with consequences such as
  drinking and driving.
• Recognize the dangers of alcohol/drug
  interactions.
• Demonstrate refusal strategies concerning alcohol
  use.

3
Short-Term Effects of Drinking
Factors Influencing the Effects of Alcohol

• Body size and gender A small person feels the
  effect of the same amount of alcohol faster than
  a large person does. In general, alcohol moves
  into the bloodstream faster in females.
• FoodFood in the stomach slows down the passage
  of alcohol intothe bloodstream.
• Amount and rate of intakeAs the amount of
  alcohol consumed increases, the level of alcohol
  in the bloodstream also rises.

4
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
How the Body Works

• Interactions between medications and alcohol can
  lead to illness, injury, and even death.
• When a drug enters the body, it travels through
  the bloodstream to its target organ or tissue.
  Over time, the body metabolizes the drug.
• Alcohol travels through the bloodstream to the
  brain.
• At the same time, the liver metabolizes the
  alcohol in the bloodstream and makes it less
  active.

5
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Effects of Combining Alcohol and Drugs

• Alcohol combined with medicines or other drugs
  can result in a multiplier effect.
• Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter
  medicines, such as aspirin, can alter the ways in
  which alcohol affects the body.
• Labels on medicines that might cause reactions
  warn against combining them with alcoholic
  beverages.

6
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Typical Alcohol-Drug Interactions

• Alcohol may slow down a drugs absorption by the
  body.
• Frequent drinking may increase the number of
  metabolizing enzymes in the body.
• Metabolizing enzymes can change some medications
  into chemicals that can damage the liver or other
  organs.
• Alcohol can increase the effects of some drugs.

7
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Physical and mental impairment begin with the
first drink of alcohol and increase as more
alcohol is consumed.
8
Driving Under the Influence
Blood Alcohol Concentration

• A person is said to be intoxicated when his or
  her blood alcohol concentration
  (BAC) exceeds the states legal limit.
• In most states, driving while intoxicated is
  defined as having a 0.1 percent BAC, although in
  some states the figure is 0.08.
• Remember that for anyone under 21, there is no
  acceptable BAC percentage.

9
Driving Under the Influence
Consequences of DWI
Driving while intoxicated (DWI), also known as
driving under the influence (DUI), is the leading
cause of death among teens. The consequences of
a teen caught DWI may include

• Harm to the driver and others.
• Severely restricted driving privileges and/or
  immediate confiscation of a drivers license.
• A police record and possible lawsuits.
• Arrest, jail time, court appearance, and a heavy
  fine or bail.

10
Binge Drinking
What Is Binge Drinking?

• Recent studies show that binge drinking is a
  serious problem among young people.
• Rapid binge drinking (sometimes done on a bet or
  dare) is especially dangerous because it is
  possible to consume a fatal dose of alcohol.
• Binge drinking can cause alcohol poisoning.

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Alcohol Poisoning
Dangers of Over-Intake

• Alcohol acts as a depressant and shuts down
  involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag
  reflex that prevents choking.
• A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop
  these involuntary actions.
• Its common for a person who has consumed too
  much alcohol to vomit because alcohol is a
  stomach irritant.
• If the involuntary actions are shut down, a
  person can choke and be asphyxiated by his or her
  own vomit.

12
Alcohol Poisoning
Effects of Alcohol Poisoning

• Passing out is a common effect of drinking too
  much alcohol.
• Alcohol in the stomach and intestines continues
  to enter the bloodstream, and blood alcohol
  concentration continues to rise.
• For this reason, its dangerous to assume that a
  person who has consumed a lot of alcohol will be
  fine if left to sleep it off.

13
Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

• Symptoms that indicate alcohol poisoning include
• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be
  roused, vomiting, and seizures.
• Slow respiration10 seconds between breaths or
  fewer than 8 breaths a minute.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Hypothermia, or low body temperaturepale or
  bluish skin color.
• Severe dehydration from vomiting.

14
Alcohol Poisoning
Call 911
A person who exhibits signs of alcohol poisoning
or has passed out may die if left untreated. If
you suspect that a person has alcohol poisoning,
call 911 immediately.
15
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. The amount of alcohol in a persons blood
expressed as a percentage is called _____.

1. blood alcohol concentration
2. binge drinking
3. metabolism
4. alcohol poisoning

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Quick Review - Answer
A. The amount of alcohol in a persons blood
expressed as a percentage is called blood alcohol
concentration.
Click Next to attempt another question.
17
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given
below.
Q. Define metabolism.
Click Next to view the answer.
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Quick Review - Answer
A. Metabolism is the process by which the body
breaks down substances.
Click Next to attempt another question.
19
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given
below.
Q. What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
Click Next to view the answer.
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Quick Review - Answer

• A. Signs of alcohol poisoning
• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be
  roused, vomiting, and seizures
• Slow respiration10 seconds between breaths or
  fewer than 8 breaths a minute
• Irregular heartbeat
• Hypothermia, or low body temperaturepale or
  bluish skin color
• Severe dehydration from vomiting

Click Next to attempt another question.
21
Quick Review
Provide a suitable explanation.
Explain why its dangerous to mix alcohol and
medications or other drugs.