Alcohol affects many parts of the body. It initially causes an energizing effect but is actually a depressant that slows the central nervous system. As more alcohol is consumed, it impairs judgment, motor skills, and can lead to intoxication or even loss of consciousness. The liver works to break down alcohol but drinking too much overwhelms this system. Long term heavy use can damage the liver and brain. Fetal alcohol syndrome may also result if a pregnant woman drinks.

1. Frank Kyewski
EDU 653

2.  Water, flavorings,
organic matter and
minerals are added to
ethanol to form beer
and wine.
 Alcohol can be
altered to create
liquors such as
whiskey, gin and
vodka.
2

3.  When alcohol is first consumed, it
may give the drinker a certain
energy or “buzz”
 However alcohol is actually a
depressant that causes the CNS to
slow down.
 It’s only a matter of time until the
person becomes drunk……
3

4.  Intoxication: is a
limitation of the
body’s physical
and mental status,
ranging from
feeling energized
to being
unconscious.
4

5. BRAIN
 Alcohol can reach the brain in a
short amount of time and the
brain’s ability to control the
body is greatly affected. Fine
motor skills, speech, and vision
may be affected.
5

6. HEART
 Alcohol causes the heart rate to
increase and the blood vessels to
expand. Due to the expanded
blood vessels, blood is circulated
closer to the outer most layer of
skin, allowing the body’s heat to
escape easier.
6

7. LIVER
 The liver is the organ that processes
the alcohol in the body and turns it
back into water and carbon dioxide.
 When more alcohol is consumed
faster than the liver can handle, the
alcohol continues to circulate the
blood stream causing intoxication.
7

8. Respiratory System
 The lungs release carbon
dioxide from the body while a
person is breathing.
 The water passes out of the
body in the form of urine,
perspiration, and breath
vapor.
8

9. STOMACH
 Some of the alcohol consumed by a
person will pass through the lining
of their stomach to reach the
bloodstream.
 Ingesting too much alcohol in a
short amount of time my cause the
stomach to reject the poison and
vomiting may occur.
9

10.  Alcohol can affect a persons
judgment and may interfere with
a persons ability to control
decisions, behavior and
emotions.
 The chances of contracting
sexually transmitted diseases,
unplanned pregnancies, and
violence is greatly increased
when a person is under the
influence of alcohol.
10

11. Drinking & Driving:
• Alcohol reduces a persons
ability to judge distances,
speeds, and turns.
• Makes a person take risks
they normally would not.
• Slows down a persons
reflexes.
Legal Limit in Michigan  The most deadly short term
Blood Alcohol Content effect of alcohol is driving
Over 21=0.08 under the influence of
Under 21=zero tolerance alcohol. (DUI)
11

12.  Driving under the
influence of alcohol is
the leading cause of
death among
teenagers.
 On average 11
teenagers are killed
and 350 injured
everyday in the U.S.
due to drunk driving.
12

13.  Long-term excessive use of alcohol
can lead to severe brain damage.
 Moderate drinking can result in the
loss of brain cells.
 Loss of brain cells can cause
impairment of intellectual abilities
like memory and problem solving.
13

14.  If you choose to continue to use alcohol
while you are pregnant with a baby, many
different problem can arise. Whatever a
mother consumes the baby also consumes.
If a mother is drunk, there is a good
chance here unborn baby is also.
 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome results from
prolonged use of alcohol while pregnant.
It can lead to many birth defects such as
low birth weight, deformation,
developmental difficulties, mental
impairments, even death.
14

15.  Alcohol also interferes with the livers ability to
function properly.
 The liver is unable to break down fats creating a
fatty build up within the liver that prohibits it
from functioning properly.
 Longtime heavy use of alcohol can cause a
condition call Cirrhosis. This is a condition in
which liver tissue is destroyed and then
replaced with scarred tissue.
15

16.  NIDA - http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-
abuse/alcohol
 NIAAA - http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-
health/alcohols-effects-body
 Kidshealth.org -
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol
/alcohol.html
 Glencoe Health and Wellness, 2005, Meeks and
Heit

17.  Klearchos Kapoutsis on fotopedia
http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-3600947113
 Felix.triller on fotopedia
http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2228066149
 Hilary Boles on Flikr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillaryraindeer/41916
39560/
 Michael Gil on Flikr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/msvg/5291828902/
 Casper Moler on fotopedia
http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2676493157