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’ll learn to:
Examine the short-term effects of alcohol use.
Associate risk-taking with consequences such as drinking
and driving.
Recognize the dangers of alcohol/drug interactions.
Demonstrate 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
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 2
Quick Review - Answer
A. 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
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. Define metabolism.
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 2
Quick Review - Answer
A. Metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down
substances.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson 2
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. What are the signs of alcohol poisoning?
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 2
Quick Review - Answer
A. Signs of alcohol poisoning:
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
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson 2
Quick Review
Provide a suitable explanation.
Explain why it’s dangerous to mix alcohol and medications or
other drugs.
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 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
bloodstream to its target organ or tissue. Over time, the
is the process by
body metabolizes the drug.
which the body
down
Alcohol travels through breaks
the bloodstream
to the brain.
substances.
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 most states,
driving while intoxicated is defined as having a
Blood alcohol
0.1 concentration
percent BAC, although
in some states the figure is 0.08.
(BAC)
is the amount of
Remember that for anyone under 21, there is no acceptable
alcohol in a person’s
BAC percentage.
blood expressed as a
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
drinkspoisoning.
at one
Binge drinking can cause alcohol
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
Slow respiration—10 seconds
between
poisoning
is abreaths
severe or fewer than
8 breaths a minute.
and potentially fatal
physical reaction to
Irregular heartbeat.
an alcohol overdose.
Hypothermia, or low body temperature—pale or bluish skin
color.
Severe dehydration from vomiting.