What is Alcohol?

• Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol), the active ingredient in alcohol, is produced by yeast cells acting on carbohydrates in fruits and grains.
• Ethyl Alcohol acts as an anesthetic to put the brain to sleep.
• Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down body functions such as heart rate and respiration.
• Alcohol is the most widely used and abused drug in America.

Definition of “a drink” of alcohol

A standard drink of alcohol is 12 grams of pure ethanol, which equals:

• 12 ounces of beer or wine cooler
• 8 ounces of malt liquor
• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces if 80 proof distilled spirits

Click link below to view Alcohol Content Charts for various drinks:
www.intox.com/physiology.asp

Effects of Alcohol

Although effects will vary from person to person, the following are some short-term effects that may be experienced after moderate to light drinking:

• Distorted vision, hearing, and coordination
• Altered perceptions and emotions
• Anxiety
• Slowed Breathing
• Mental confusion
• Memory loss
• Increased aggression

Long-Term effects of alcohol use include:

• Alcohol Dependence
• Liver disease
• Heart disease and stroke
• Brain cell death
• Stomach ailments
• Sexual impotence
• Central Nervous System damage
• Death

Definition of Blood Alcohol Content

Blood Alcohol Content (B.A.C.) is the percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream as someone drinks. In most states a BAC of .10% is considered to be legally drunk. In some states, like Maryland, the legal definition of intoxication is .08%. The more you drink the higher your BAC. Things such as one’s height, weight, gender, and tolerance affect BAC levels.

Click the link to view BAC Charts:
www.health.org/nongovpubs/bac-chart/index.htm

Absorption of Alcohol

Alcohol is absorbed from all parts of the gastrointestinal tract largely by simple diffusion into the blood. However, the small intestine is the most efficient region for alcohol absorption due to its large surface area.

Elimination of Alcohol from the Body

The liver is responsible for filtering 95% of ingested alcohol out of the body. An important fact to remember is that the body will eliminate only one standard drink per hour. So the more you drink, the longer the alcohol will remain in the body.

Definition of Binge Drinking

• Binge drinking is defined as having five standard drinks in a row for men and four for women.

Binge Drinking Facts

• In 2000, almost 7 million persons aged 12 to 20 was a binge drinker.
• Underage persons who reported binge drinking were 7 times more likely to report illicit drug use than other persons who did not binge drink.
• College students are at higher risk for binge drinking than their peers of the same age that do not attend college.

Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is severe elevation of one’s blood alcohol concentration, which may to coma or death. Alcohol poisoning is the result of consuming large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time.

College Students and Drinking

The following is information from the April 2002 report “A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of drinking at U.S. Colleges”:

• Over 1,400 students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol related unintentional injuries including motor vehicle accidents.
• 500,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol.
• More than 600,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking.
• More than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of sexual assault of date rape in which alcohol is involved.
• 400,000 students age 18 to 24 have unprotected sex and more than 100,000 report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex.

For more information from the report click on the link: www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/Reports/TaskForce/TaskForce_TOC.aspx

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

• Strong smell of alcohol.
• Person is unconscious or semiconscious.
• Cold, clammy skin.
• Slow respirations or lapses between respirations.
• Vomiting.

What to do in case of Alcohol Poisoning?

• Call 911 or campus police.
• Do not leave the person alone.
• Make sure that the person is lying on their side to prevent choking.

The following are steps that can be taken to prevent alcohol poisoning:

• Do not engage in drinking games.
• Do not drink fast. Drink slowly.
• Make sure that you eat something before you begin drinking.
• Space your drinking (Do not binge).
• Substitute alcohol for other drinks such as, water, soda, or juice.
• Set a limit for yourself.

Information Sources:

1. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
2. In the Know (www.intheknowzone.com)
3. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
4. “A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking a U.S. Colleges (April 2002)
5. Facts on Tap (www.factsontap.org)
6. Intoximeters Incorporated (www.intox.com/physiology.asp)