Aim: How does alcohol affect the systems of the body?
Do now: Look at the statements below. Write down if you think each statement is a myth or a fact.
Its OK to drive if you’ve only had a few drinks
Drinking black coffee can sober you up
Mixing drinks will make you drunker
Drink milk before drinking to coat the stomach and you won’t get as drunk
Taking a cold shower can sober you up
All of these statements are MYTHS (the truth is below):
Its OK to drive if you’ve only had a few drinks- MYTH-even a couple of drinks can impair judgment, reaction time, vision, etc.
Drinking black coffee can sober you up- MYTH- Drinking black coffee will make you no less drunk. Time is the only think that can sober you up. You’ll only be a wide-awake drunk.
Mixing drinks will make you drunker- MYTH- mixing drinks may make you ill, but it’s the amount that you drink that makes you drunk, not the flavor.
Drink milk before drinking to coat the stomach and you won’t get as drunk= MYTH- Milk and all other foods (bread) may slow down alcohol’s effects, but the alcohol will still get into your blood stream.
Taking a cold shower can sober you up- MYTH- The only thing you’ll be is wet. Showers cannot sober you up.
Class notes: What’s in a drink?
One drink = 1/2 ounce of pure alcohol.
12 oz glass of beer- contains 1/2 oz. of pure alcohol
4-6 oz glass of wine/champagne- contains 1/2 oz. of pure alcohol
1 oz shot of liquor- contains 1/2 oz. of pure alcohol
BAC- Blood alcohol concentration- refers to the amount of alcohol in the blood stream
Proof- Equals twice the percentage of alcohol (something 100 proof is 50% alcohol)
DWI- driving while intoxicated- in NYS DWI = a BAC of .08%
• What are some factors that influence the absorption of alcohol into the system?
Answer: A perons's size: a smaller person will be affected more by one drink because they have less mass. Their BAC will be higher than a larger person.
Lean tissue (muscle) versus fatty tissue: A person who has more lean tissue will be less affected by alcohol. Fat does not aborb alcohol as well as muscle does, so the alcohol stays in the blood stream, resulting in a higher BAC.
Contents in stomach: If a person has food or water in the stomach, that will slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. A person will not get intoxicated as quickly, but eventually, that alcohol will enter the bloodstream.
• How does alcohol leave the body?
Answer: 95% of alcohol is broken down by the liver. It takes 1 hour for the liver to metabolize one drink. The other 5% of the alcohol leaves the body through breath vapor, sweat, and urine.
• List the drug ACTION (what alcohol does to the systems of the body) and the drug EFFECT (how the user feels) for each of the following BAC levels:
o BAC .01- .05
o BAC .06 - .12
o BAC .10- .18
o BAC . 18 - .30
o BAC .25- .40
o BAC .35 - .50
o BAC .50 or more
o For example, BAC of ..0-.10 drug action is the person’s fine motor skills are decreased, performance and responsiveness reduced, reduction in reaction time and judgment; drug effect is feeling more alert and talkative, even though the systems are slowed.
• How are the following parts of the brain affected by alcohol:
o Nerve cells
o Cerebral cortex
o Cerebellum
o Hypothalamus
o Medulla
• How are the following systems of the body effected by alcohol:
o Stomach and intestines
o Liver
• List three other harmful effects alcohol has on the body.