alcohol Flashcards
what is a psychoactive drug?
affects the brain and behavior
what is a depressant?
slows the nervous system and reflexes
what is a gateway drug?
starts usage of drugs and leads to use of harder substances
what kind of alcohol is found in alcoholic beverages?
ethanol
what is ABV?
alcohol by volume
what is proof?
it is 2x the percent of alcohol
describe the nutritional value of alcohol
all carbohydrates, not vitamins or minerals
What are short-term effects do alcohol and other psychoactive drugs have on the mind and body called?
intoxication
what does alcohol do to the nervous system?
slows it down, speech slurred, vision blurred, reflexes slowed, bad judgment/decisions
what does alcohol do to the cardiovascular system?
heart rate and blood pressure increase after the first drink(s) but then goes down after more drinks
what does alcohol do to the excretory system?
makes more urine which leads to dehydration, then headache, then hangover
what does alcohol do to the skin?
blood rushes to skin which makes you feel warm, but in reality you are actually a little bit cold
what does alcohol do to the liver (short term)?
liver works harder to filter blood
what does alcohol do to the digestive system?
absorbed into blood faster than other things
what is BAC?
blood alcohol content
what is significant about 0.08 BAC?
it is legally thought of as drunk
what is the multiplier effect?
alcohol+other drug=increased effect
what are some factors that influence intoxication?
body size, tolerance, food they’ve eaten, time taken to drink (how quickly it has been consumed)
what is a hangover?
effects people feel after having too much to drink (vomiting, nausea, headache)
what is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?
drinking mother during pregnancy causes developmental and physical issues
what is a moderate drinker?
1-2 drinks a day
what is a heavy drinker?
3-4 drinks
what is a binge drinker?
4-5+ drinks
what is a blackout
when you forget what happened in a particular period
withdrawal symptoms
what happens when you stop doing something (like drugs), alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include shaking, vomiting, hallucinations, and seizures
what do we now call being an alcoholic?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
what are some signs someone may have a drinking problem?
blackouts, withdrawal symptoms, hiding alcohol, binge drinking, and drinking at inappropriate times
what is a long-term effect of alcohol on the brain
interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and affects the way the brain works and looks
what is a long-term effect of alcohol on the heart
damages the hear causing problems including: cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, stroke, and high blood pressure
what is a long-term effect of alcohol on the liver
cirrhosis, steatosis (fatty liver), alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis
what is a long-term effect of alcohol on the stomach
ulcers, bloating, and gas
what is a long-term effect of alcohol on the pancreas
causes pancreas to produce toxic substances and leads to pancreaitis
what is a long-term effect of alcohol on the immune system
weakens the immune system and makes your body a much easier target for disease
what cancer can heavy alcohol drinking give you
throat, mouth, or esophagus cancer. breast cancer is also more common
what are two cons to lowering the MLDA to 18?
Drinking affects minors much more heavily than fully-developed adults and minors lack the ability to make proper decisions which can end in lethal drunk driving accidents
what are two pros to lowering the MLDA to 18?
drunk driving statistics will be high no matter the MLDA and lowering the MLDA would allow younger people to get the help they need without fear of getting arrested and it would instill responsible drinking habits in young adults
