1. Alcohol
ALCOHOL NOTEMAKERA
Alcohol is a depressant. It alters
mood, thinking and behavior. The
intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic
drinks is ethyl alcohol (ETHANOL-
Psychoactive Chemical). Pure
alcohol has no color or taste.
Alcoholic drinks get their color and
flavor from the ingredients used to
make them.
The Least You Need to Know:
1. Short term vs. Long term effects…
2. What is a ‘standard drink…’
3. What is BAC?
4. What is oxidation?
5. How long to oxidize 1 drink?
6. Sobering Myths…
7. Factors influencing absorption…
8. F.A.S. (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
9. Factors contributing to alcoholism.

2. Path of Alcohol
1. Mouth: alcohol enters the body.
2. Stomach: some alcohol gets in
the bloodstream in the stomach,
but most goes on to the small
intestine.
3. Small Intestine: alcohol enters
the bloodstream through the
walls of the small intestine.
4. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout
the body.
5. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain.
6. Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the
liver at a rate of about 0.5 oz per
hour. Alcohol is converted into
water, carbon dioxide and energy.

3. THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
and
THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN
Brain- first area depressed: speech, thought,
restraint, judgment, inhibitions (Social regulators)
• Then, spinal cord reflexes and respiration which
can be fatal.
• black-outs may occur (periods of time that can’t
be remembered when sober)
•disturbed sleep patterns, change in REM sleep

4. Adolescent Brain Changes
These brain changes
are relevant to
adolescent behavior
Prefrontal cortex (PFC)
is pruned; not fully
developed until mid-20’s
Amygdala (and n.a.)
show less pruning and
tend to dominate the
judgment
reward
system
amygdal
a nucleus
accumbens
prefrontal
cortex

5. This imbalance
leads to...
 planned thinking
 impulsiveness
 self-control
 risk-taking
more “hot” talking, less “cool”
talking
PFC
amygdala
I like
to use
drugs!
!

6. Effects on Body Continued
Cardiovascular- dilates blood vessels
which causes loss of heat
*initially increases heart rate, then slows
it down
Gastrointestinal- toxic effect on
stomach lining
*irritates ulcers
*increases acid and pepsin secretions
(digestive fluid)
*nauseant
Sexual Stimulation- too much alcohol
abolishes sexual function

7. Most Notable Effects on Liver
Function of Liver- It has a wide range of
functions, including detoxification,
protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals
necessary for digestion.
Process of Filtering blood called Oxidation and
removes about 1 drink per hour
Blood volume circulates through liver every 4 minutes
Liver Damage
cells in liver scarred, destroyed or fatty deposits
Called Cirrhosis (destroyed), Fibrosis (fat)

10. Blood Alcohol Concentration
Blood Alcohol Concentration: measured in
percentages
*.10 means 10ml of alcohol per 100mL of blood
*maximum BAC is reached within 20-30 minutes
Process of ‘filtering’ blood is called:
Oxidation
Occurs in Liver and removes about 1 drink per hour

12. Effects of Alcohol Chart
Factors Influencing Absorption
• Amount/Size of Drinks
• Food
• Body Size
• Drug Interaction (s)?
• Gender
Gender differences: women
tend to be more affected by
alcohol than men (< of alcohol
metabolizing enzyme)

13. What are the
Legal Limits?
• You
• > Age 21
1 Drink = ^.02

15. Alcohol Poisoning
Can happen in one episode of binge drinking
can be fatal
choke on own vomit or
midbrain shuts down which regulates breathing
Call 911 if you notice:
vomiting, seizures, stupor, coma, can’t awaken,
pale skin
*once a person passes out, their BAC continues
to rise

16. Absorption and Metabolism
Absorption and metabolism of alcohol:
*rapid absorption
*stomach absorbs ¼
*rest is absorbed in small intestine
*liver breaks down alcohol in about 1 drink an hour
Amounts of alcohol: (2/3 ounce of pure ethanol)
Same for all below!!
*shot of hard liquor (86 proof/ 43% alcohol)
*wine- 5 ounces (12% alcohol)
*can of beer 12 ounces (4.5% alcohol)

17. “Drunk Goggles Demonstration”
Movie clip

18. Standard Drinks
1 bottle, 4 % - 6 %
1 small glass of wine, 10% - 14%
1 shot 30mL , (hard liquor), 37% - 43%
A standard drink contains
approximately 10 grams of alcohol.
This is equivalent to:

19. Generalization…
Bill (who is 55, has a good job, graduated and
drinks in moderation….) has 4 beers over the
course of 2 hours what is his BAC……

20. Use a designated driver, or one will be
appointed for you !
Nearly ½ of all
TRAFFIC FATALITITES
are related to DUI.
DUI
•Estimated Cost = $________
• 2 year revocation license
Zero Tolerance
• 3 Month/6 Month Suspension

21. Implied Consent
Through the process of obtaining a
driver’s license a person in Illinois one
gives consent to chemical testing. If a
police officer has a reasonable belief
that person is driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, the
officer can request the person to
submit to testing.
1.Blood 2. Breath 3. Urine

22. Sobering Myths
Exercise…. Showering… Drinking Coffee….

23. Only TIME will sober you up

24. Factors Contributing
Toward Alcoholism
Genetics
= 2-7 Chance
Drinking < 15
= 4 X Chance
High
Tolerance
Levels

25. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A national survey found that more than half of
women age 15-44 drank while pregnant.
FAS is the leading known preventable cause of
mental retardation and birth defects
FAS is not just a childhood disorder; exposure to
alcohol as a fetus can cause a wide range of
lifelong physical and mental disabilities.

26. Alcohol Essential Questions
Short term vs. Long term effects…
Can you identify a ‘standard drink’
What is B A C ?
Legal Limit for….YOU: ADULTS:
If BAC is .12 what % of blood is alcohol?
What is oxidation? Organ responsible? Oxidize 1 drink
every:
Sobering Myths:
Factors influencing absorption:
#1 Cause of Mental retardation in the U.S. is
______________ (also called . . . )
Factors contributing to alcoholism.