Harmful Effects of Alcohol

Short-Term Effects of Drinking

Body size and gender Food

Slows the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream

Amount and rate of intake When alcohol is consumed faster than

the liver can break it down, intoxication results

Alcohol poisoning can occur

Alcohol and Drug Interactions

Alcohol and medications don’t mix Illness, injury or death can occur Multiplier effect: the medication has a

greater or different effect than if it were taken alone▪ both prescription drugs and over-the-counter

medicine

Binge Drinking

Definition: drinking 5 or more alcoholic beverages at one sitting

Rapid binge drinking is especially dangerous Can cause alcohol poisoning Can be fatal

Alcohol Poisoning

Definition: is a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose It acts as a depressant and shuts down

involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex that prevents choking

Alcohol is a stomach irritant If involuntary actions are shut down,

people can choke on their own vomit and it can be fatal

Beer 341ml5% alcohol

Wine 142ml12% alcohol

Whiskey 43ml40% alcohol

Alcohol Content = 17ml

Effects of Alcohol Poisoning Passing out is a common effect of drinking

too much alcohol If somebody passes out from drinking, call for

help▪ The alcohol is still metabolizing while they are

passed out, which makes it very dangerous Symptoms:

Mental confusion, coma, vomiting, seizures Slow respiration (breaths) Irregular heartbeat Hypothermia Sever dehydration from vomiting

Long-Term Effects of Drinking In teens, can hinder growth and

development Will damage most body systems

Changes to the Brain▪ Addiction▪ Brain damage

Cardiovascular Changes▪ Damage to the heart▪ Inflamed heart

Liver Problems▪ Fatty Liver: Fat builds up in the liver and cannot

be broken down. The fat blocks blood going to the liver cells, leading to cell death

Digestive System Problems▪ Digestive ling is damaged; can lead to stomach

ulcers and cancer of the stomach and esophagus

Pancreas Problems▪ The lining of the pancreas swells, and blocks the

passage from the pancreas to the small intestine. Chemical destroy the pancreas, causing pain and vomiting, and can cause death

Alcohol During Pregnancy When a pregnant female drinks, so

does her fetus The fetus liver is not developed to handle

alcohol Risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)▪ Baby born with small head, and deformities of

the face, hands, feet. ▪ Heart, liver and kidney defects, as well as vision

and hearing problems, are common▪ Slow growth and coordination▪ May have difficulties with learning, attention,

memory and problem solving

Alcoholism

Definition: a disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol

Alcoholic: an addict who is dependent on alcohol

An Alcoholic Might Display these symptoms Cravings

A strong need to drink. They cannot handle stress with alcohol

Loss of control Cannot limit drinking

Physical Dependence Withdrawal symptoms (sweating, shakes,

anxiety) when not drinking Tolerance

Needs to drink increasingly more each time Health, family and legal problems

There is a genetic link to alcoholism Children with parents who are alcoholics

are 4x more likely to become an alcoholic themselves▪ They aren’t predisposed

In Canada, there are an estimated 640, 000 alcoholics

Impaired Driving

Drinking alcohol impairs vision, reaction time, and co-ordination Can be disastrous or even deadly

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) The amount of alcohol in a person’s

blood, expressed as the weight of alcohol in a given volume of blood▪ 80mg/100ml of blood (about 2 drinks for an

adult)▪ 50mg/100ml of blood (about 1 drink for an

adult)

Consequences of Drinking and Driving Harm to the driver and others Immediate suspension of a driver’s

licence Alcohol-related injuries, property damage

and death Loss of parental trust and respect Heavy fine or jail time A police record, possible lawsuits Higher insurance.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/impaired/

Drinking and Driving Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plVNNWfXyQU

14 minutes