Alcohol Unit Final NOTES
Page 1: Introduction to Alcohol
Lesson Outcome #1
Explain how alcohol is absorbed and metabolized in the body
Background
Alcohol is classified as a psychoactive depressant drug.
Holds significant historical, cultural, and societal importance.
In 2023, approximately 75% of Canadian adults reported consuming at least one alcoholic beverage in the past year.
A 2016 survey of Canadian post-secondary students indicated:
92.5% had consumed alcohol.
Common reasons for drinking:
Socializing (66%)
Celebrating (59%)
Only 18% identified "getting drunk" as their primary motivation.
Page 2: Alcohol Concentration and Consumption
Understanding Concentration
Individual responses to alcohol vary significantly.
Factors such as the amount consumed and alcohol percentage can influence the level of intoxication.
Types of Alcohol:
Beer: 3%-6% alcohol by volume (ABV)
Wine: 9%-14% ABV
Spirits/Hard Alcohol: >35% ABV
Understanding Consumption
Standard Drink Measurement:
One standard drink contains 13.6 grams of alcohol.
Drink sizes typically vary by type:
Beer/Cider/Cooler (5% ABV): 12 oz
Wine (12% ABV): 5 oz
Spirits (40% ABV): 1.5 oz
Caloric Content:
Alcohol provides approximately 7 calories per gram, resulting in 100-120 calories per typical drink.
Absorption
Several factors influence the rate of alcohol absorption:
Type of alcohol consumed
Age and sex of the individual
Rate of consumption
The presence of food/drug in the system
Mechanism of Absorption:
A small amount of alcohol is absorbed in the oral mucosa.
About 20% is absorbed through the stomach.
Approximately 75% is absorbed through the upper small intestine, with the remainder absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.
Page 3: Alcohol Metabolism and Excretion
Metabolism & Excretion
The primary site of alcohol metabolism is the liver:
Alcohol is converted to acetaldehyde, then to acetate.
Roughly 2-10% of ingested alcohol is excreted in an unchanged state through:
Lungs
Kidneys
Sweat glands
In the brain, alcohol alters neurotransmitter activity, leading to various immediate effects.
Long-term heavy use can cause permanent brain changes.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Definition: BAC is the ratio of alcohol in the bloodstream, expressed as a percentage.
Influencing factors include:
Body weight
Body fat percentage
Biological sex
Rate of metabolism
Page 4: Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Lesson Outcome #2
Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
Low Concentrations:
Effects include light-headedness, relaxation, reduced inhibitions, increased assertiveness, and social behaviors.
High Concentrations:
Potential interference with motor skills, cognitive abilities, and emotional regulation.
At 0.20% BAC, functionality is severely impaired.
At BAC levels exceeding 0.35%, the risk of coma increases, potentially leading to death.
Page 5: Alcohol Poisoning and Chronic Misuse
Alcohol Poisoning
Rapid consumption of large amounts of alcohol can lead to dangerously high BAC levels.
Alcohol poisoning is responsible for more overdose deaths than any other drug, either solely or in combination with others.
Causes of death from alcohol poisoning can include:
Central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depression.
Aspiration of fluids or vomit into the lungs.
The difference between unconsciousness and fatal dosage is minimal, with BAC rising continuously even while unconscious.
Effects of Chronic Misuse
Chronic alcohol use has serious implications for various body systems:
Digestive System:
Fatty liver: Accumulation of fat cells in the liver, can develop in days of heavy drinking.
Alcohol hepatitis: Inflammation that can lead to serious complications.
Cirrhosis: Extensive liver cell damage and scar tissue formation; only a 50% survival rate over 5 years with continued drinking.
Page 6: Effects of Chronic Misuse Continued
Digestive System Cont’d: Additional Issues
Pancreas:
Risk of pancreatitis from heavy drinking, which can become fatal or chronic.
Alcohol can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and irritation of the stomach lining.
Cardiovascular System
No health benefits are associated with alcohol consumption.
Alcohol usage can elevate blood pressure and increase stroke and heart attack risk.
Brain Damage
Alcohol-related cognitive decline includes loss of grey and white matter and impaired blood flow in certain brain areas.
Those dependent on alcohol may experience varying degrees of cognitive impairment.
Page 7: Alcohol Use During Pregnancy
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Early alcohol consumption during pregnancy leads to various disabilities, collectively termed FASD.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): A significant preventable cause of intellectual disability, characterized by physical and cognitive anomalies.
Children with Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) may look typical but suffer from learning and behavioral issues.
Page 8: Canada’s Updated Guidance on Alcohol
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
The updated guidelines replace the 2011 Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines based on new research.
Aim is to assist individuals in making informed drinking decisions and inform future alcohol policies.
Key Changes in Guidelines
New recommendations focus on overall reduction of alcohol consumption.
Guidelines assert that no safe level of drinking exists for pregnant women.
Page 9: Overview of Canada’s Guidelines
Previous vs Updated Guidelines
Previous guidelines provided numerical limits and differentiated between genders.
The new approach advocates for reduced consumption across all genders and emphasizes that harm can occur regardless of identity.
Page 10: Alcohol Definitions
Key Definitions
Binge Drinking: Consuming alcohol to the point of severe intoxication; typically defined as 4 drinks (women) or 5 drinks (men) within two hours.
Alcohol Misuse: Using alcohol despite negative consequences (safety risks, academic issues).
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): A combination of previous categories for alcohol abuse and dependence, categorized into:
Mild: 2-3 symptoms
Moderate: 4-5 symptoms
Severe: 6+ symptoms
Page 11: Symptoms of AUD
AUD Symptoms Details
Symptoms include:
Drinking larger amounts or longer than intended.
Desire to cut down without success.
Significant time spent obtaining or recovering from drinking.
Cravings are present.
Continued use despite significant social or interpersonal issues.
Neglecting major responsibilities due to drinking.
Reducing important activities because of alcohol use.
Hazardous situations while drinking.
Persistent drinking despite known problems.
Developing alcohol tolerance.
Withdrawal symptoms occurring upon reduction or cessation of use.
Page 12: AUD in Specific Populations and Strategies
Health Consequences of AUD
Increased tolerance leads to the need for more alcohol to achieve effects.
Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild (tremors, anxiety) to severe (seizures, delirium).
High rates of co-morbidity with psychological disorders are noted.
AUD and Indigenous Peoples
AUD prevalence is higher among Indigenous Peoples in Canada, with 36% of individuals over 12 considered heavy drinkers, often as a coping mechanism for cultural trauma.
Responsible Drinking Strategies
Binge drinking is notably high among university students:
35% reported consuming 5 or more drinks in one week.
92.5% acknowledged drinking alcohol with 74% believing it's acceptable to get drunk.
Strategies for responsible drinking:
Opt for non-alcoholic alternatives.
Set boundaries with friends.
Keep track of consumption and know personal limits.
Consume drinks slowly, stay hydrated, and eat before drinking.
Seek help if needed.