Truth Telling Flashcards
What is the most commonly abused substance in the UK?
Alcohol
What negative behaviour is alcohol associated with? (3)
criminal behaviour, violence and road accidents
How many medical and surgical admissions are for problems related to alcohol?
1/3
What is the chemical definition of alcohol?
Any substance that contains a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom [C-OH].
Usually refers to ethanol.
When does blood alcohol level peak?
30-90 minutes on empty stomach
What does peak blood alcohol level depend on?
rate of absorption, prior level, duration and rate of consumption, strength (20% causes greatest peak), type of drink, sex (higher in women), body weight, food in the stomach, physiological factors (genes, blood supply, conditions increasing gastric emptying)…
How is alcohol eliminated?
The liver detoxifies 95%
90% of the rest is excreted by the kidney, and the last 10% eliminated in the breath and sweat.
What is the rate of elimination of alcohol?
12-25mg/100ml of blood/h
About 1 unit an hour for 70kg man
Effects of alcohol on behaviour at <50mg/100ml?
Talkative, driving skills deteriorate.
Effects of alcohol on behaviour at 50-100mg/100ml?
Dizzy, slurred speech, loss of coordination
Effects of alcohol on behaviour at 100-150mg/100ml?
Staggering gait, disorientation
Effects of alcohol on behaviour at 150-200mg/100ml?
Nausea, non-cooperative, loss of inhibition
Effects of alcohol on behaviour at 200-300mg/100ml?
Vomiting, stupor, incontinence
Effects of alcohol at 300-400mg/100ml?
Coma, impaired respiration, loss of reflexes
Effects of alcohol at >400mg/100ml?
Death
How many people are killed each year in the UK as a result of drinking and driving?
How many % of all road accidents does alcohol account for?
> 1000
10%
At the legal limit, how are the chances of a serious accident increased?
Twice normal
At twice the legal limit, how are the chances of a serious accident increased?
20x greater
Driving under the influence can lead to prosecution under what act?
Road Traffic Act 1988
What does the Road Traffic Act 1988 set out? (3)
A person who fails to provide a specimen when required to do so is guilty of an offence.
It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle
whilst impaired through alcohol or drugs. [3 pieces of
evidence are required: evidence from arresting officer +
medical evidence + toxicological evidence (but prosecutioncan proceed with only two)].
It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle with more than the legal limits of alcohol.