2. ETHYL ALCOHOL.
The alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is
ethyl alcohol (ethanol). The molecular
structure of ethanol looks like this:
H
H3 C - C - O - H
H
3. HOW ALCOHOL ENTERS THE BODY
20 percent of the alcohol is absorbed in the
stomach
80 percent is absorbed in the small intestine.
How fast the alcohol is absorbed depends upon
several things:
– The concentration of alcohol in the beverage - The
greater the concentration, the faster the absorption.
– The type of drink - Carbonated beverages tend to speed
up the absorption of alcohol.
– Whether the stomach is full or empty
– Food slows down alcohol absorption.
4. Cont…
Alcohol enters the bloodstream and dissolves in
the water of the blood
The blood carries the alcohol throughout the body.
The alcohol from the blood then enters and
dissolves in the water inside each tissue of the
body
Alcohol cannot dissolve in fat tissue.
The BAC ( Blood Alcohol Concentration ) can
rise significantly within 20 minutes after having a
drink.
5. HOW ALCOHOL LEAVES THE BODY
The kidney eliminates 5 percent of alcohol
in the urine.
The lungs exhale 5 percent of alcohol,
which can be detected by
breathalyzer devices.
The liver chemically breaks down the 90
percent alcohol into acetic acid.
As a rule of thumb, an average person can
eliminate 10- 15 ml of alcohol per hour
6. Breakdown of Alcohol
The breakdown, or oxidation, of ethanol
occurs in the liver.
An enzyme in the liver called alcohol de-
hydrogenase strips electrons from ethanol to
form acetaldehyde.
Another enzyme, called aldehyde
dehydrogenase, converts the acetaldehyde,
in the presence of oxygen, to acetic acid
7. The Effects of Alcohol
Euphoria (BAC = 0.03 to 0.12 percent)
Excitement (BAC = 0.09 to 0.25 percent)
Confusion (BAC = 0.18 to 0.30 percent)
Stupor (BAC = 0.25 to 0.4 percent)
Coma (BAC = 0.35 to 0.50 percent)
Death (BAC more than 0.50 percent)
8. Euphoria (BAC = 0.03 to 0.12 percent)
They become more self-confident or daring.
Their attention span shortens.
They may look flushed.
Their judgement is not as good
They have trouble with fine movements,
such as writing or signing their name.
9. Excitement (BAC = 0.09 to 0.25 percent)
They become sleepy.
Trouble understanding or remembering
things
Their body movements are uncoordinated.
They begin to lose their balance easily.
Their vision becomes blurry.
Trouble sensing things (hearing, tasting,
feeling)
10. Confusion (BAC = 0.18 to 0.30 percent)
They are dizzy and may stagger.
Highly emotional -- aggressive, withdrawn or
overly affectionate.
They cannot see clearly.
They are sleepy.
They have slurred speech.
They have uncoordinated movements .
They may not feel pain as readily as a sober
person.
11. Stupor (BAC = 0.25 to 0.4 percent)
They can barely move at all.
They cannot respond to stimuli.
They cannot stand or walk.
They may vomit.
They may lapse in and out of
consciousness.
12. Coma (BAC = 0.35 to 0.50 percent)
They are unconscious.
Their reflexes are depressed (i.e. their pupils do
not respond appropriately to changes in light).
They feel cool (lower-than-normal body
temperature).
Their breathing is slower and shallower.
Their heart rate may slow.
They may die.
13. Death (BAC more than 0.50 percent)
The person usually stops breathing and
dies.
14. MEN VS. WOMEN
When you compare men & women of same sex,
age, height, weight & built, men tends to have
more muscle& less fat then women.
Muscle tissue has more water than fat tissue, a
given dose of alcohol will be diluted more in men
than women.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) resulting from
the dose will be higher in women than in men.
Women will feel the effect sooner than the men.
15. Effect on Human Brain
The order in which alcohol affects the various
brain centers is as follows:
Cerebral cortex - Thought process
Limbic system- Emotions and memory
Cerebellum - Movement of muscles
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland - Sexual
behavior and urinary excretion
Medulla - Breathing, heart rate,
temperature and consciousness
16. Long Term Effect
The increased activity in the liver causes cell death and
hardening of the tissue (cirrhosis of the liver).
The brain cells in various centers die, thereby reducing
the total brain mass.
Stomach and intestinal ulcers can form because the
constant alcohol use irritates and degrades the linings of
these organs.
Blood pressure increases as the heart compensates for
the initially reduced blood pressure caused by alcohol.
Male sex-cell (sperm) production decreases because of
decreased sex-hormone secretion from the
hypothalamus/pituitary.
Poor nutrition decreases levels of iron and vitamin B,
leading to anemia.
Because alcoholics lose balance and fall more often,
they suffer more often from bruises and broken bones;
this is especially true, as they get older.
