ALCOHOLALCOHOL

AgendaAgenda What is it? What does it look like?What is it? What does it look like? What are other names for it?What are other names for it? What are the short-term effects?What are the short-term effects? What are the long-term effects?What are the long-term effects? What are the legal What are the legal

status/consequences?status/consequences? What are some interesting facts about What are some interesting facts about

alcohol? (the statistics on alcohol)alcohol? (the statistics on alcohol)

Description:Description: One of the most popular drug for youth One of the most popular drug for youth

and adults.and adults. It is a depressant that slows down the It is a depressant that slows down the

activity of the Central Nervous System.activity of the Central Nervous System. Ethyl Alcohol or Ethanol is produced via Ethyl Alcohol or Ethanol is produced via

fermentation of plant sugars.fermentation of plant sugars. Fermentation is the chemical conversion Fermentation is the chemical conversion

of sugar to alcohol, by yeast organisms. of sugar to alcohol, by yeast organisms.

Other Names:Other Names:

Beer,Beer, Brew,Brew, Suds,Suds, Wine,Wine, Vino,Vino,

Grog,Grog, Hooch,Hooch, Moonshine,Moonshine, Spirits,Spirits, Booze.Booze.

B.A.C.B.A.C.

Blood Alcohol ConcentrationBlood Alcohol Concentration the ratio of alcohol to total blood volume the ratio of alcohol to total blood volume

(measured in %)(measured in %) used to measure physiological and used to measure physiological and

behavioural effects of alcoholbehavioural effects of alcohol severe impairment at 0.08%.....the legal severe impairment at 0.08%.....the legal

limit is 0.05%limit is 0.05%

B.A.C. Cont…B.A.C. Cont…

Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream Alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream through the stomach and small intestine.through the stomach and small intestine.

It quickly leads to the slowing down of the It quickly leads to the slowing down of the brain and central nervous system function. brain and central nervous system function. (i.e. decisions and movements are slower! (i.e. decisions and movements are slower!

B.A.C. Cont…B.A.C. Cont…

A drinker’s B.A.C. is dependant on a A drinker’s B.A.C. is dependant on a several factors:several factors:

The amount of alcohol consumedThe amount of alcohol consumed The drinker’s size, sex, body build, and The drinker’s size, sex, body build, and

metabolismmetabolism Type and amount of food in the stomachType and amount of food in the stomach

Metabolism of AlcoholMetabolism of Alcohol

The average The average adultadult (70 kg male) can get rid of (70 kg male) can get rid of (metabolize) 2/3 of drink per hour. This means it (metabolize) 2/3 of drink per hour. This means it would take over 6 hours to metabolize 5 drinks! would take over 6 hours to metabolize 5 drinks! And much more for teenagers!And much more for teenagers!

The alcohol is metabolized in the liver where a The alcohol is metabolized in the liver where a special enzyme helps to break it down.special enzyme helps to break it down.

Women have less of this enzyme and thus Women have less of this enzyme and thus require more time to metabolize alcohol than require more time to metabolize alcohol than men. men.

Short-Term Effects:Short-Term Effects: Feel more relaxed and less inhibited.Feel more relaxed and less inhibited. Will not be able to think as clearly, and Will not be able to think as clearly, and

judgement and decision-making will be judgement and decision-making will be affected.affected.

Short-Term Effects Continued…Short-Term Effects Continued…

Reflexes will become slower; will have Reflexes will become slower; will have trouble working and doing things which trouble working and doing things which require any physical and mental require any physical and mental coordination.coordination.

Short-Term Effects Continued…Short-Term Effects Continued… Mood may change; may become angry or take Mood may change; may become angry or take

more risks.more risks. If the person drinks a large amount If the person drinks a large amount of alcohol on a single occasion of alcohol on a single occasion (binge drinking), the breathing system may slow (binge drinking), the breathing system may slow

down seriously or even stop, causing death down seriously or even stop, causing death (alcohol poisoning).(alcohol poisoning).

The effects of alcohol may The effects of alcohol may increase if combined with increase if combined with certain other drugs.certain other drugs. Short-term effects are intensified with binge Short-term effects are intensified with binge

drinkingdrinking

Long-Term Effects:Long-Term Effects:

A person who drinks heavily on a regularA person who drinks heavily on a regular

basis may develop:basis may develop: Inflamed stomach or pancreas.Inflamed stomach or pancreas. Cirrhosis of the liver.Cirrhosis of the liver. Certain cancers of the Certain cancers of the

gastrointestinal tract.gastrointestinal tract. Heart disease.Heart disease.

Long-Term Effects Continued…Long-Term Effects Continued…

Brain and nerve damage.Brain and nerve damage. The production of sex hormones will decrease in The production of sex hormones will decrease in

men.men. In women, prenatal exposure to alcohol can In women, prenatal exposure to alcohol can

cause Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) or Syndrome cause Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) or Syndrome (facial abnormalities, growth deficiencies and (facial abnormalities, growth deficiencies and damage to the CNS which can damage to the CNS which can result in developmental delays, result in developmental delays, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, memory deficits).memory deficits).

Legal Status/Consequences (in Legal Status/Consequences (in Canada):Canada):

The legal age to consume or purchase alcohol is The legal age to consume or purchase alcohol is 19.19.

Other legal issues include:Other legal issues include:- liquor consumed in a place other than - liquor consumed in a place other than residence; residence;- intoxication in public places;- intoxication in public places;- selling liquor without a license;- selling liquor without a license;- transporting alcohol;- transporting alcohol;- alcohol given to a minor in the family - alcohol given to a minor in the family

home home by the parent; by the parent;- liability issues regarding home hosting, - liability issues regarding home hosting, social hosting in other locations. social hosting in other locations.

Facts about AlcoholFacts about Alcohol

Facts Continued…Facts Continued…

Facts Continued…Facts Continued…