What is Alcohol

• Alcohol – Drug created by a chemical reaction in some foods, especially fruits and grains

• Most commonly used drug in this country

• Average age for taking first drink is 13

Why Do Teens Begin to Drink

• Relieve stress

• Escape from problems

• Peer pressure

Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Brain

Brain

• Short term effects – Reaches brain almost immediately

• Impairs judgment, reasoning, memory and concentration

• Reaction time is slowed• Coordination decreases, speech is slurred• Vision and hearing are distorted• Ability to desire to control behavior

decreases

Brain

• Long term effects – Brain damage

• Nervous disorders

• Memory loss

Blood Vessels

• Short term – Vessels enlarge, bringing blood closer to skin and creating false sense of warmth

Blood Vessels

• Long term – High blood pressure, Stroke

Liver

• Short term effects – Liver poisoning

Liver

• Long term effects – Cirrhosis- scarring and destruction of liver tissue

• Liver cancer

Heart

• Short Term effects – Heart and pulse rate increases

• Long term effects – irregular heart beats and damage to heart muscle

Stomach

• Short term – Vomiting, if unconscious could lead to choking

• Long term – ulcers, open sores, stomach cancer

Effects of Drinking

• 12 oz. Beer

• 4 oz. Wine

• 1.5 oz. liquor

• ALL CONTAIN ABOUT SAME AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL

Effects of Drinking

• Size and Gender – Females tolerate a smaller amount of alcohol than males

• Usually because they weigh less

• Food in the stomach – Food in stomach slows the process of alcohol absorbtion but does not stop effect

Effects of Drinking

• How fast person drinks – Gulping down a drink raises the alcohol level in the blood because body has less time to process it

• Other substances in the body – Drinking while using other drugs may be fatal or have severe effects

ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism

• Illness caused by a physical an mental need for alcohol

• Unable to limit the amount of alcohol they drink

• Drink increasing amount and become drunk often

• Place drinking ahead of other activities

Alcoholism

• Drinks alone

• Experiences blackouts and cannot remember what was done while drinking

• Personality changes

• Makes excuses for drinking, promises to quit or drink less

• Refuses to admit they have problem