Chapter 14 Alcohol

Question 1

How can the effects of alcohol vary?

Answer 1

• depends on the circumstances and amount consumed
• depends on the type of drink, how fast you take it in, muscle mass, body weight and BAC

Men suggested alcohol intake:
daily max: 4
weekly max: 15

Women suggested alcohol intake:
Daily max: 3
weekly max: 10

Question 2

What is BAC?

Answer 2

measure alcohol in the bloodstream
depends on the speed of consumption, body weight and muscle mass

Question 3

How does alcohol affect your health?

Answer 3

it slows reactions, impairs coordination and judgement
sedates to inactivity

Low concentration:
- can be felt at a BAC of 0.03-0.05 %
- lightheadedness, relaxation, release of inhibitions

High Concentration
- can be felt at a BAC of 0.1 %
- interfere with your motor coordination, talking thinking and can lead to feelings of anger

Question 4

Why do people drink?

Answer 4

to feel good, relax, meditate, be sociable, enhance a meal, peer pressure

Question 5

Young drinking

Answer 5

17 = average age to start
59.8 % start between 10 & 17
drinking peaks during university, 18-24

Question 6

High risk drinking

Answer 6

11.4% women
26.4% men

Question 7

what is alcohol? How does it affect you?

Answer 7

it is an intoxicating ingredient in fermentation or distilled beverages
an organic compound that quickly goes to the brain and is able to dissolve in water

reaches the bloodstream in 15 minutes, and peaks effect in 1 hr.
lowers body temp.
contains 7 cal/g, makes you hungry and dehydrated

alcohol has no benefits, it increases risk of cancer

Question 8

what is the equivalent of one drink?

Answer 8

beer/cooler 341 ml 5%
glass of wine 142 ml. 12%
distilled 43 ml. 40%

Question 9

where does alcohol absorption occur?

Answer 9

in the bloodstream, 25% through the stomach, and 75% through the small intestine
dissolved in the liver, takes 1.5 hrs to digest

Question 10

what is ADH?

Answer 10

Alcohol dehydrogenase
an enzyme that breaks down the alcohol in the stomach and liver
women have 4 x less of this enzyme then men do.

Question 11

Effects of Binge drinking

Answer 11

patterns of alcohol use that brings someone’s BAC above 0.08 %
consumed < 2 hours
intoxication is not illegal, but driving with a BAC higher than 0.08 is illegal.

Question 12

Short & Long term effects

Answer 12

Short Term
- loss of self-control and awareness
- happiness
- loss of physical coordination & balance
- double vision, mood swings
respiratory system impaired (heart & breathing impaired)

Long Term
- brain shrinks, killing brain cells
- affects memory, liver, immune system
- increases risk of cancer

Question 13

Alcohol & Prgnancy

Answer 13

• causes FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder)
• delayed development
  not safe to drink while pregnant

Question 14

Warning signs of alcoholism

Answer 14

• when someone is drinking 4-5 drinks on one occasion per week
• missing work, depression, mood swings
• continue to drink, while knowing the negative concequences

Question 15

warning signs of alcohol poisoning

Answer 15

mental confusion, blue skin colour, irregular breathing, seizures
can be prevented by using the baccus maneuver, don’t be afraid to make the call

Question 16

Alcohol dependence

Answer 16

can be caused by
Genetics
stress & traumatic experiences
parentall alcoholism
drug use