What Is Alcohol ?
Alcohol is a
Depressant. It lowers
blood pressure,
respiration, decreases
the response time,
impairs muscle
coordination and in
sufficient amounts
causes death.
What Is A Drink?
* One 12oz. Beer
* One 5 oz. glass of
wine
* One 1.5 oz shot of
hard liquor
* These all have equal
amounts of alcohol in
them
How Fast is Alcohol Metabolized
by the Body ?
Your body metabolizes
1oz. of alcohol every
hour
(1 drink per hour).
Alcohol
metabolization occurs
in the liver.
What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is
defined as more than
5 drinks in 1 sitting
or drinking episode.
What is B.A.C.
Blood Alcohol
Concentration (BAC)
can be defined as the
ratio of alcohol to total
blood volume.
Psychological and Physiological
Effects of Various BACs
.02 to .30
No overt effects, slight mood elevation.
.05 to .06
Feelings of relaxation, warmth, slight decrease
in reaction time and in fine motor coordination.
.08 to .09
Balance, speech, vision, and hearing become
impaired, feelings of euphoria, increased
confidence, legal intoxication limit in Illinois.
.11 to .12
Coordination and balance becoming difficult,
distinct impairment of mental function,
judgement is impaired.
Psychological and Physiological
Effects of Various BACs
.14 to .15
Major impairment of mental and physical
control, slurred speech, blurred vision, lack of
motor skills.
.20
Loss of motor control, may need assistance in
moving about, mental confusion.
.40 to .50
Unconsciousness, coma and death are possible
Signs of Alcohol Overdose
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Impaired Muscle Coordination
Central Nervous System Depression
Impaired Respiratory Function
Vomiting
Stupor
Hostility
Why Do Some people “hold their
liquor” better than others?
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Body Weight
Speed of Intake
Food in Stomach
Type of Beverage
Gender
Drinking History
Use of Other Drugs
Physical and Emotional State