Alcohol Test Study Guide

Ethanol

is a colorless and flammable intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages

Ethanol role with Alcoholic Beverages

its the only type of alcohol that humans can safely drink

What happens to dopamine in the brain with continued use of alcohol?

boosts dopamine levels

Ataxia

irreversible degenerative disease of nervous system

3 symptoms of Ataxia

• poor coordination (unsteady walk)

• change in speech

• difficulty swallowing

What does Alcohol do to the hippocampus?

Degenerate & shrink it

Is alcohol digested in the stomach?

No- it gets absorbed right into blood stream

CO2 role with Alcohol

co2 increases the alcohol absorption into the blood by 50% (avg)

BAC

Blood Alcohol Concentration

What is BAC?

amount of alcohol in a person’s blood (expressed as a percentage)

Factors that affect BAC levels:

• rate of consumption

• body size

• gender

• amount of food in the stomach

Rate of Consumption

• liver chemically breaks down or metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate

Body Size

• at same rate of consumption, smaller people feel the effects of alcohol more than larger people

• height & size play a role bc there is more space for alcohol to distribute or diffuse thru

Gender

• at same rate of alcohol consumption females will have a higher BAC than males

• liver is more efficient at metabolizing alcohol in males

Food in stomach

• drinking on empty stomach increases rate of alcohol absorption into bloodstream

• makes it easier for alcohol to pass through walls of stomach

Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH)

• helps metabolize (break down) alcohol

Alcohol Proof

• a measure of alcohol (ethanol) in a given volume of alcoholic beverages

How does the liver get damaged from alcohol consumption?

• liver converts to “Acetaldehyde” (toxic compound that causes cell damage in the liver)

• each time your liver filter alcohol, some of the liver cells die

Stages of Liver Damage

Stage 1- Fatty Liver & Hepatitis

Stage 2- Fibrosis

Stage 3- Cirrhosis

Stage 4- Liver failure or Cancer

Stage 1- Fatty Liver & Hepatitis

• fat is not broken down which leads to fat deposits in and around liver

  • this causes inflammation of liver aka Hepatitis

Stage 2- Fibrosis

• scar tissue begins to replace healthy tissue in the inflamed liver

Stage 3- Cirrhosis

• severe scarring has built up, making it difficult for liver to function

Stage 4- Liver failure or Cancer

yikes

Hepatitis

inflammation of liver

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

most severe type of FASD that develops due to drinking alcohol during pregnancy

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

• an umbrella term that includes a range of disorders or adverse effects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (alcohol during pregnancy)

DUI

driving under the influence

DWI

driving while intoxicated

What is the legal limit for adult drivers BAC level? (know the percentage)

under .08% in most states (including CT)

Zero Tolerance Law

To reduce fatal alcohol- related crashes involving drivers under 21

What is the alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 21?

0.2% blood alcohol limit

Ignition Interlock Devices

• small handheld car breathalyzer devices that measures alcohol

• used to prevent drivers from starting their vehicle after they’ve been drinking alcohol

• vehicle will only start if breath sample passes

Ways to measure BAC level?

• breathalyzers

• blood test

• urine test

Laws regarding selling alcohol to minors and house parties for minors

Knowing that any minor possesses alcoholic liquor and/or failure to make reasonable efforts to halt possessions can be:

• found guilty of a class A misdemeanor of up to 1 year in jail.

Tolerance

ability to tolerate something without an adverse reaction

Physical Addiction

when the body becomes dependent on a substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not used.

Psychological Addiction

when the mental dependence on a drug, becomes a habit or behavioral pattern. It occurs when people believe they need the drug to function properly or to cope with daily life.

“Cold Turkey”

means completely withdrawing and abruptly stopping to drink alcohol

Delirium Tremens

• a severe life threatening form of withdrawal that occurs 2 to 3 days after last drink.

• involves

  • hallucinations

  • tremors

  • seizures

  • high blood pressure

  • sweating

  • severe agitation etc.

Direct Peer Pressure

someone within peer group gives another individual clear and

direct instructions on what to do

Indirect Peer Pressure

an unspoken pressure felt that sways a person to do something

because others are doing it.