Brandon Littlefield

Alcohol Entering the Body

• 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and the rest is absorbed in the small intestine

• Alcohol enters the bloodstream and dissolves in the water of the organ tissues and begins to take effect on the body

• Alcohol is then carried to the liver, and then to the brain by the bloodstream

Alcohol Exiting the Body

• Once absorbed in the bloodstream, it exits in 3 ways:– Kidneys

– Lungs

– Liver• The liver requires water to burn off alcohol. • If none is made available, the body redistributes

whatever water is available

Affects on the Body

• Irritates the linings of the stomach and intestine– Vomiting

• Increases blood flow to the stomach and intestines– Stomach acid secretion

• Increases blood flow to the skin– Causes sweating

• Reduces blood flow to muscles– Muscle aches

Stages of Alcohol and BAC

• Euphoria: – .03% to .12%

• Excitement: – .09% to .25%

• Confusion: – .18% to .30%

• Stupor– 0.25 to 0.4%

• Coma: – .35% to 0.50%

• Death: – more than .50%

Effects on the Brain• Cerebral Cortex

– Depresses the behavioral inhibitory centers

– Slows down processing information

– Inhibits thought process• Limbic System

– Exaggerates states of emotion– Memory loss

• Cerebellum– Muscle movements become

uncoordinated, loss of balance• Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

– Sexual behavior increases, but performance declines

– Kidneys produce more urine• Medulla

– Tired, may become unconscious

– Slow breathing– Conditions can be fatal

Social Effects

• Young frequent drinkers may never be able to catch up in adulthood

• They can have problems attaining the goals of young adulthood—marriage, educational attainment, employment, and financial independence

• Young abusers are significantly more likely to have drinking problems as adults

Physical Effects

• Reproductive system:– Reduced testosterone levels in males, menstrual irregularities and

infertility in women

• Immune System– Increases susceptibility to infectious diseases and cancer

• Gastrointestinal System– Malnutrition– Ulcers of the stomach and intestine– Cancers of the lip, oral cavity, esophagus, larynx, stomach, and

liver

• Circulatory System– Decreased blood pressure, pulse and respiration– Heart diseases– anemia