Drugs: Alcohol, Smoking, Tobacco

Question 1

How is alcohol processed in the body?

Answer 1

1. MOUTH-Alcohol starts at the mouth,passing down the esophagus.
2. STOMACH-A little alcohol goes through the stomach walls and into the bloodstream, most passing into the small intestines.
3. SMALL INTESTINES-Alcohol is rapidly absorbed through walls of small intestines and into bloodstream.
4. BLOODSTREAM-The heart pumps the blood and alcohol to all parts of the body.
5. BRAIN-Alcohol goes to the brain almost as soon as it is consumed. It keeps passing thorugh until the liver has has a chance to oxidize/burn it up.
6. LIVER-Burns up alcohol at 1/2 ounce/hour. Body then eliminates (water) by sweating and urinating, and (Co2) by breathing.

Question 2

What are the (or some) negative effects of smoking?

Answer 2

• causes bad breath,dulls taste buds,(mouth&larynx cancer)
• stains teeth
• cilia are destroyed
• lung cancer
• lung efficiency decreases
• yellow stained fingers
• blood vessels constrict
• ^ risk of heart attack/stroke
• circulatory disorders
• ^ rate of peptic ulcers
• 7-10x greater risk of developing bladder cancer

Question 3

What are the main substances of tobacco?

Answer 3

NICOTINE-speeds up heart, raises blood pressure
TAR-carcinogen, collects in air passage~interferes w/breathing/digestion
CARBON MONOXIDE(CO)-poisonous gas that displaces oxygen in the blood, forcing heart to work harder to meet oxygen needs