ALCOHOL USE,
ABUSE &
ALCOHOLISM
What is ALCOHOL?
Pertains to the consumable alcohol in
different content percentages
Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) – “grain alcohol”;
psychoactive ingredient
It is a psychoactive drug that is a CNS
depressant
It is the second most widely used and
abused of all psychoactive drugs
Forms of Alcohol Beverages
1. BEER –
made from
fermented
grains
Forms of Alcohol Beverages
2. WINE –
from fermented
berries,
grapes, fruits
Forms of Alcohol Beverages
3. HARD LIQUORS
- Made from
distilled products
of natural
fermentation
Why Do Many People View
Alcohol As A Non-drug?
Alcohol is legal
Advertising & media promote drinking
as normal
Large distribution and sales of alcohol
Long history of alcohol use
Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism
Alcohol Abuse – “binge drinking”
Alcoholic – person dependent on alcohol
Alcoholism – loss of control over drinking
of alcohol
Blood Alcohol Concentration – BAC; a
measure of the concentration of alcohol in
blood expressed in grams per 100 ml
0.08 BAC – legal limit in US for driving
ALCOHOL ABSORPTION,
METABOLISM & EXCRETION
INGESTION OF ALCOHOL
ABSORBED INTO THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
CARRIED THROUGH THE BLOODSTREAM
DELIVERED TO ALL THE BODY’S TISSUE AND
ORGANS
ALCOHOL ABSORPTION,
EXCRETION & METABOLISM
10% IS EXCRETED 90% IS BROKENDOWN
UNCHANGED BY THE LIVER
URINE, SWEAT, CARBON DIOXIDE
BREATH & WATER
Blood Alcohol Concentration & Behavioral
Effects
Percent Behavioral Effects
BAC
0.05 Lowered alertness, usually good feeling,
release of inhibitions, impaired judgement
0.10 Slower reaction times & impaired motor
function, less caution
0.15 Large, consistent increases in reaction time
0.20 Marked depression in sensory & motor
capability, intoxication
0.25 Severe motor disturbance, staggering, sensory
perceptions, great impairment
0.30 Stuporous but conscious – no comprehension
of what’s going on
Figure 9.3
0.35 Surgical anesthesia; about LD, minimal level
The relationship between causing death
blood alcohol concentration 0.40 About LD50
and alcohol intake.
Physical Effects of Alcohol
BAC depends on the:
Presence of food in the stomach
Rate of alcohol consumption
Concentration of alcohol
Drinker’s body composition
Presence of non-alcoholic substances
Presence of carbon dioxide
Alcohol beverages have almost no vitamins,
minerals, protein, or fat -- just large amount of
carbohydrates
Physiological Effects: Short-
term Effects of Alcohol
Low to moderate doses
Dis-inhibition
Social setting and mental state
Euphoric, friendly, talkative
Aggressive and hostile
Interfere with motor activity, reflexes and
coordination
Physiological Effects: Short-
term Effects of Alcohol
Moderate quantities
Slightly increases in heart rate
Slightly dilates blood vessels in arms, legs,
skin
Moderately lowers blood pressure
Stimulate appetite
Increases production of gastric secretions
Increases urine output
Physiological Effects: Acute
Effects of Alcohol
At higher doses
Difficultyin walking, talking, and thinking
Induces drowsiness and causes sleep
In large amounts -- severe depression of the
brain systems and motor control area of the
brain
Lack of coordination, confusion, & disorientation
Stupor, anesthesia, coma, and even death
Lethal level of alcohol is between 0.4 and
0.6% by volume in the blood
Physiological Effects:
Chronic Effects of Alcohol
Light or moderate drinking does little
permanent harm (exception - FAS)
Heavy drinking
Seriously damages the heart
Kidney and liver damage
Mental disorders, irreversible damage to the
brain and peripheral nervous system
Lowered resistance to pneumonia and other
infectious diseases
Irritation of the gastrointestinal tract
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A collection of
physical and
behavioral
abnormalities
caused by the
presence of
alcohol during
fetal
development
PHASES OF ALCOHOLISM
PHASES/ SIGNS TO LOOK FOR
stages a STAGES
person WARNING • increased tolerance to alcohol
• person becomes more pre-occupied w/ drinking
PHASE
goes • experiences BLACKOUTS (no recall of events that
happened while drinking)
through • Asks what beverage is served in a party rather than asking
who’s going to the party
when CHRONIC • loss of control over how much alcohol is consumed
becoming PHASE
• cannot control the amount of alcohol consumed once
drinking has begun
an • blames type of drinking of preferred drink & usual place of
drinking for alcoholism
alcoholic • makes effort not to be rejected by family & friends by
making promises
•Changes type of alcohol & location from usual drinking
place in trying to convince others of stopping
CRUCIAL • addiction/dependence is very evident
• drinking for days at a time (bender); misses work/school
PHASE • drinking behavior consumes all aspects of life; not
functioning well as a person in the society
• health problems intensifies; problems w/ family, friends,
community
So, be responsible.
Think first before
you act.
SPIRITUS CONTRA
SPIRITUM
(Spiritual crises
requires spiritual
cures)
