Alcoholism
APPH 1040
Dr. Adam J Decker
Georgia Institute of Technology
Chemically known as ethanol
Provides 7 kcal/g
 Product of fermentation
 Yeast convert pyruvate (product of glycolysis) into alcohol
and carbon dioxide
 Beer is produced using malting cereal grain
 Wine is produced by fermenting grapes
 Distilled spirits are produced by distillation which
separates liquids yielded from fermentation
PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOL
Anaerobic condition
Glucose
Pyruvate
CO2
Acetaldehyde
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOL
Acetaldehyde
NADH
NAD+
Ethanol
 Alcohol is readily absorbed into the blood and
depends on gastric emptying
 It is distributed widely over body in fluid
compartments
 Moves easily through cell membranes and
damages cell membrane proteins as it diffuses
 Most damaging effects found in liver due to
alcohol oxidation
DIGESTION AND
ABSORPTION OF ALCOHOL
 No digestion required
 Absorbed by simple diffusion
and moves directly into
blood stream
 No specific mechanism
required to enter body cells
 Alcohol damages cell
membrane proteins as it
enters body cells.
 Metabolism of alcohol dependent on many factors
 Gender, race, size, physical condition, what is eaten,
alcohol content of beverage, and amount of sleep had
 Ability to produce alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH),
produced in the stomach, – an enzyme that metabolizes
alcohol into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde
dehydrogenase + glutathione, both made in the liver,
attacks acetaldehyde and produces non-toxic acetate.
 Acetaldehyde causes hangover symptoms as
glutathione stores in liver are used up quickly.
 Women develop alcohol related ailments more readily
due to underproduction of these enzymes.
ALCOHOL METABOLISM
ENERGY CONTENT OF COMMON
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
 Alcohol metabolized primarily by the liver but
alcohol can be excreted by the lungs
 Alcohol content of expired air has a constant
relationship to the blood alcohol concentration
 Blood alcohol concentration
 0.08% - 0.10% considered legally drunk
 0.35% - 0.50% alcohol poisoning
 > 0.50% coma or death
In the U.S. ,alcohol content measured by percentage of alcohol by
volume. (ABV)
 Under the older American system, one "proof" was equal to one-half
percent of alcohol by volume
Proof system: 100 proof= 50% alcohol
80 pr0of= 40% alcohol
Standard drink
ALCOHOL METABOLISM
Alcoholism and Alcohol Problems
 According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcoholism includes four
major symptoms:
1- Craving : a strong need to drink
2- Impaired control: the inability to limit one's
drinking on any given occasion.
3- Physical dependence: having withdrawal symptoms
such as nausea, sweating, or shakiness when alcohol use
is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
4- Tolerance: the need for increasing amounts of
alcohol to feel its effects
 These symptoms are also characteristic of individuals
who abuse cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines.
Alcohol abuse is a type of drinking that, along with the
major symptoms of alcoholism, is accompanied by one
or more of the following behaviors within a 12-month
period:
1- Failure to fulfill major work, school, or home
responsibilities.
2- Drinking in situations that are physically dangerous,
such as while driving a car or operating machinery.
3- Recurring alcohol-related legal problems, such as
being arrested while under the influence of alcohol or
physically hurting someone while drunk.
4- Continuing to drink despite ongoing relationship
problems caused or worsened by the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol dependence:
Includes signs of alcohol abuse plus withdrawal and
tolerance issues.
Person is addicted at this point.
Health related problems with alcohol
- May interfere with nutrient intake
- Can cause protein and energy deficiencies
- May lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Increases 5 of the 10 leading causes of death in
the U.S. – heart disease, certain forms of cancer,
cirrhosis of the liver, motor vehicle and other
accidents, and suicides.
-Produce cirrhosis of liver
-Toxicity to fetus (Fetal alcohol syndrome)
-Brain Damage
-Carcinogenic effect
-Hypertension
-Myocardial depression; arrythmias;
cardiomyopathy
Problems Associated with
Alcohol Abuse
 Increases 5 of the top 10
causes of death in the U.S.
 Cirrhosis of liver
 Inflammation of stomach and
pancreas
 Hypertension and
hemorrhagic stroke
Normal Liver
Liver damage
Social Problems
 Drinking at workplace
 Failure to operate motor vehicles and other equipment
 STDs
 Unplanned pregnancy
 Affect family especially children
Getting help.
 Good place to start:
Georgia Tech Counseling Center