Parental alcohol abuse may be associated with the physical or sexual abuse of children.
The experience of being abused as a child may increase a person’s risk for alcohol-related problems as an adult.
May lead to antisocial behavior; and psychological problems.
Short-term effects of alcohol
Chemicals affect mucosal lining, tongue, gums, and throat
Brain becomes less able to control the body
Alcohol causes the heart to beat faster and the blood vessels to widen
Alcohol content of beverages
Beer 5% alcohol
Wine 12-15% alcohol
Vodka or whiskey 40% alcohol
Alcohol and the individual
Speed. Drinking a lot in a short amount of time causes the alcohol to remain in the bloodstream longer
Quantity. The metabolism of alcohol takes place at a fairly constant rate
Food. A person who has eaten recently has food in the stomach, this slows down the passing of alcohol into the blood stream
Alcohol and the individual… continued
Weight. A lighter person feels the affects of alcohol sooner than a heavier person
Gender. Generally, females have more body fat and less water than males. This means the alcohol moves into the bloodstream faster with females
Mood. A drinker who starts off depressed usually finishes off more depressed
Blood alcohol concentration
The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood is expressed by a person’s percentage called blood alcohol concentration (bac)
The person’s b.a.c. depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, body weight.
Fetal alcohol syndrome
A woman who drinks alcohol while pregnant may cause permanent damage to her developing baby. The baby maybe born with fetal alcohol syndrome or f.a.s.
Fetal alcohol syndrome continued
Babies born with f.a.s. suffer from a group of alcohol-related birth defects that may include both physical and mental problems. They may have learning difficulties and behavior problems.
Tragedy of f.a.s .
The tragedy of f.a.s. is that the unborn baby has no control over what enters its body. Even small amounts of alcohol may be harmful, the safe decision for a pregnant woman is not to drink any alcoholic beverages. F.a.s. is entirely preventable.
Gia Ionescu