Lesson
2
Harmful Effects of Alcohol Use
Did you know that the harmful effects of alcohol
could be triggered by an interaction of alcohol
and medication?
Lesson
2
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you will learn to:
• Describe the short-term effects of alcohol use
• Discuss the consequences of drinking and driving
• Explain the dangers of drug/alcohol use
• Develop refusal strategies concerning alcohol use
Lesson
2
Short-Term Effects of Drinking
Factors Influencing the Effects of Alcohol
• Body size and gender
A small person feels the effect of the same amount of
alcohol faster than a large person does. In general, alcohol
moves into the bloodstream faster in females.
• Food
Food in the stomach slows down the passage of alcohol into
the bloodstream.
• Amount and rate of intake
As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, the level of
alcohol in the bloodstream also rises.
Lesson
2
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
How the Body Works
• Interactions between medications and alcohol can lead to
illness, injury, and even death.
• When a drug enters the body, it travels through the
bloodstream to its target organ or tissue. Over time, the
body metabolizes the drug.
• Alcohol travels through the bloodstream to the brain.
• At the same time, the liver metabolizes the alcohol in the
bloodstream and makes it less active.
Lesson
2
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Effects of Combining Alcohol and Drugs
• Alcohol combined with medicines or other drugs can result
in a multiplier effect.
• Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines,
such as aspirin, can alter the ways in which alcohol affects
the body.
• Labels on medicines that might cause reactions warn
against combining them with alcoholic beverages.
Lesson
2
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Typical Alcohol-Drug Interactions
• Alcohol may slow down a drug’s absorption by the body.
• Frequent drinking may increase the number of metabolizing
enzymes in the body.
• Metabolizing enzymes can change some medications into
chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs.
• Alcohol can increase the effects of some drugs.
Lesson
2
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
Physical and mental impairment begin with the first drink of
alcohol and increase as more alcohol is consumed.
Lesson
2
Driving Under the Influence
Blood Alcohol Concentration
• A person is said to be intoxicated when his or her
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the state’s legal
limit.
• In most states, driving while intoxicated is defined as
having a 0.1 percent BAC, although in some states the
figure is 0.08.
• Remember that for anyone under 21, there is no acceptable
BAC percentage.
Lesson
2
Blood Alcohol Concentration
• 1 drink .05 cause sedation and
reduced self-control
• 2-3 drinks .14 causes loss of
coordination and judgment
• 4 drinks .18 intoxicated and very
slow reaction time
• 5-6 drinks .27 stupor
• 7-8 drinks .36 can lead to
unconsciousness and may cause
death
Lesson
2
Comparing Beer, Wine, and Spirits
• How much alcohol in a
drink is dependent upon
the serving size and type
of drink
• Beer 12 oz., 5% alcohol
by volume and .5 oz.
alcohol content
• Wine 5 oz., 12% alcohol
by volume and .5 oz.
alcohol content
• Spirits Vodka and
Whiskey 1.5 oz., 40%
alcohol by volume and .5
oz. alcohol content
A standard drink has 1.2
tbs. of pure alcohol
Lesson
2
Driving Under the Influence
Consequences of DWI
Driving while intoxicated (DWI), also known as driving under
the influence (DUI), is the leading cause of death among teens.
The consequences of a teen caught DWI may include:
• Harm to the driver and others.
• Severely restricted driving privileges and/or immediate
confiscation of a driver’s license.
• A police record and possible lawsuits.
• Arrest, jail time, court appearance, and a heavy fine or bail.
Lesson
2
Binge Drinking
What Is Binge Drinking?
• Recent studies show that binge drinking is a serious
problem among young people.
• Rapid binge drinking (sometimes done on a bet or dare)
is especially dangerous because it is possible to consume
a fatal dose of alcohol.
• Binge drinking can cause alcohol poisoning.
Lesson
2
Alcohol Poisoning
Dangers of Over-Intake
• Alcohol acts as a depressant and shuts down involuntary
actions such as breathing and the gag reflex that
prevents choking.
• A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these
involuntary actions.
• It’s common for a person who has consumed too much
alcohol to vomit because alcohol is a stomach irritant.
• If the involuntary actions are shut down, a person can
choke and be asphyxiated by his or her own vomit.
Lesson
2
Alcohol Poisoning
Effects of Alcohol Poisoning
• Passing out is a common effect of drinking too much alcohol.
• Alcohol in the stomach and intestines continues to enter the
bloodstream, and blood alcohol concentration continues to
rise.
• For this reason, it’s dangerous to assume that a person who
has consumed a lot of alcohol will be fine if left to “sleep it
off.”
Lesson
2
Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms that indicate alcohol poisoning include:
• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be roused,
vomiting, and seizures.
• Slow respiration—10 seconds between breaths or fewer
than 8 breaths a minute.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Hypothermia, or low body temperature—pale or bluish
skin color.
• Severe dehydration from vomiting.
Lesson
2
Alcohol Poisoning
Call 911
A person who exhibits signs of alcohol poisoning or has passed
out may die if left untreated. If you suspect that a person has
alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.
Lesson
2
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. The amount of alcohol in a
person’s blood expressed as a
percentage is called _____.
1. blood alcohol
concentration
2. binge drinking
3. metabolism
4. alcohol poisoning
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
2
A. 1. blood alcohol concentration
The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood expressed as a
percentage is called blood alcohol concentration.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. Metabolism is the process
by which the body breaks
down substances.
True
False
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
2
A. True. Metabolism is the process by which the
body breaks down substances.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review
Q. Which of the following are signs of alcohol
poisoning?
1. giddiness, uncontrollable laughter, involuntary
twitching.
2. moodiness, anger, coughing.
3. mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be
roused, vomiting, seizures.
4. glassy eyes, rambling speech, muscle spasms.
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
2
A. 3. mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be
roused, vomiting, seizures.
Signs of alcohol poisoning include mental confusion,
stupor, coma, inability to be roused, vomiting and
seizures.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. It is dangerous to mix alcohol
with medications or other
drugs.
True
False
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
2
A. True. It is dangerous to mix alcohol with
medications or other drugs.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
End of Lesson 2
Click Home to view the Main menu.
Lesson
2
Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood
expressed as a percentage is called blood alcohol
concentration.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
2
A. Correct! Metabolism is the process by which the
body breaks down substances.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
2
Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Signs of alcohol poisoning include the
following: mental confusion, stupor, coma,
inability to be roused, vomiting and seizures.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
Quick Review - Answer
2
A. Correct! It is dangerous to mix alcohol with
medications or other drugs.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson
2
Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try
again, or click Next to view the correct answer.
Lesson
2
Alcohol and Drug Interactions
How the Body Works
• Interactions between medications and alcohol can lead to
illness, injury, and even death.
• When a drug enters the body, it travels through the
Metabolism is the
bloodstream to its target organ or tissue. Over time, the
process by which the
body metabolizes the drug.
body breaks down
and gets
• Alcohol travels throughsubstances
the bloodstream
to the brain.
energy from food.
• At the same time, the liver metabolizes the alcohol in the
bloodstream and makes it less active.
Lesson
2
Driving Under the Influence
Blood Alcohol Concentration
• A person is said to be intoxicated when his or her
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds the state’s legal
limit.
• In mostBlood
states,
driving while intoxicated is defined as
alcohol
having
a 0.1 percent
BAC, although in some states the
concentration
(BAC)
figure
is amount
0.08. of
is the
alcohol in a person’s
• Remember that for anyone under 21, there is no acceptable
blood expressed as a
BAC percentage.
percentage.
Lesson
2
Binge Drinking
What Is Binge Drinking?
• Recent studies show that binge drinking is a serious
problem among young people.
• Rapid binge drinking (sometimes done on a bet or dare)
Binge drinking
is especially dangerous because it is possible to consume
is drinking five or
a fatal dose of alcohol.
more alcoholic
drinks at
one
• Binge drinking can cause alcohol
poisoning.
sitting.
Lesson
2
Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms that indicate alcohol poisoning include:
• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be roused,
vomiting, and seizures.
Alcohol poisoning
• Slow respiration—10 seconds
between
is a severe
and breaths or fewer
than 8 breaths a minute.
potentially fatal
physical reaction to an
• Irregular heartbeat.
alcohol overdose..
• Hypothermia, or low body temperature—pale or bluish
skin color.
• Severe dehydration from vomiting.