1
Q
what role does alcohol play in peoples life - both positive and negative?
A
positive: cultural significance, in moderation it can enhance social occasions by creating a pleasant feeling of relaxation
negative: physiological effects on the body that impair functioning in short-term and damages in the long-term
2
Q
alcohol
A
the intoxicating ingredient in fermented or distilled beverages; a colourless, pungent liquid
- ethanol, ethyl alcohol
3
Q
what happens if wood (methanol) or rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol are consumed?
A
- toxic
- serious illness, blindness and even death
4
Q
what are the 3 common alcoholic beverages that ethanol is the psychoactive ingredient in each?
A
- Beer: mild intoxicant brewed from a mixture of grains (3-6% alcohol), and malt liquors contain 6-8% alcohol
- Wine: made from fermented grapes or other fruit, concentration of table wines is 9-14% alcohol
fortified wine is more potent and extra alcohol is added in the production (20% alcohol) - Hard liquor: made by distilling brewed or fermented grains or other plant products (35-50% alcohol)
** must contain 1.1% or more alcohol to be considered an alcoholic beverage
5
Q
how does the process of fermentation occur to make wine?
A
- sugars from the fruit react with yeast to create ethanol and other by-products
6
Q
one drink (standard drink)
A
the amount of a beverage that typically contains 13.6g of alcohol
7
Q
caloric content of alcohol
A
- contains 7calories/gram
* * standard drink is 14-17grams so that’s about 100-120calories per drink
8
Q
how is alcohol absorbed? what happens when it enters the bloodstream and what factors affect the rate of absorption?
A
- 20% is absorbed from the stomach
- 75% is absorbed through the upper part of small intestines
- remaining alcohol enters the bloodstream further along the gastrointestinal tract
- once alcohol is in the bloodstream it produces feelings of intoxication
- rate of absorption is affected by:
1. carbonation (increases rate)
2. artificial sweeteners (increases rate)
3. food in stomach (decreases rate) - all alcohol is eventually absorbed
9
Q
where in the body is alcohol metabolized?
A
- mainly in the liver
- little in the stomach
10
Q
metabolism
A
the chemical transformation of food and other substances in the body into energy and wastes
11
Q
how is alcohol metabolized?
A
most alcohol is converted to acetaldehyde, then to acetate which is then burned for energy or stored as fat
12
Q
where in the body is alcohol excreted?
A
- excreted by the lungs, kidneys, and sweat glands (this causes a person to smell like alcohol)
13
Q
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and what factors affect BAC?
A
- the amount of alcohol in the blood expressed as the percentage of alcohol in a decilitre of blood; used as a measure of intoxication
Factors:
1. body weight: smaller person develops a higher BAC than a larger person consuming the same amount of alcohol
2. percentage of body fat: higher percentage of body fat will develop a higher BAC
3. sex: women have a higher BAC than men - also depends on rate of alcohol absorption and rate of alcohol metabolism
14
Q
immediate effects of alcohol - low and high concentrations
A
- BAC is a primary factor determining the effects of alcohol
- Low concentrations:
- -> felt at a BAC of 0.03-0.05%, include lightheadedness, relaxation and release of inhibitions, mild euphoria and become more social
- Higher concentrations:
- -> interference with motor coordination, verbal performance and intellectual function
- -> 0.1% = most sensory-motor functioning is reduced and become sleepy
- -> 0.2 = unable function (physically or psychologically) bc of the depressed in the CNS
- -> 0.35% = possibly fatal or coma
15
Q
alcohol hangovers - symptoms? what seems to cause them? whats the best way to avoid a hangover?
A
- symptoms: a headache, shakiness, nausea, fatigue
- cause: combination of toxic products of alcohol breakdown, dehydration and hormonal effects
- prevention is the best way to avoid a hangover
- -> males 4-5 standard drinks
- -> females 3-4 standard drinks
- -> drinking less, slow and eating food and drinking non alcoholic beverages
16
Q
alcohol poisoning - what usually happens? how do they die?
A
- drinking large amounts can increase your BAC into the lethal range
- alcohol either alone or in combination is responsible for many of the toxic overdosing deaths than any other drug
- die by CNS or respiratory depression or by inhaling fluid or vomit in the lungs
17
Q
antisocial personality disorder
A
underlying psychiatric disorder that causes people to be aggressive when intoxicated
18
Q
dose-response function
A
relationship between the amount of alcohol/drug consumed and the type and intensity of the effect
19
Q
the effects of chronic abuse: the digestive system
A
- with a few days of heavy drinking, the fat begins to accumulate in liver cells, “fatty liver” –> inflammation can continue which causes alcoholic hepatitis (reversible)
- liver cells become destroyed and replaced by fibrosis scar tissue called cirrhosis
- alcohol can inflame the pancreas, causing nausea, vomiting, abnormal digestion, and severe pain
- acute pancreatitis (occurs in binge drinkers)
20
Q
Cirrhosis - what is it and what is some symptoms?
A
- a disease in which the liver is severely damaged by alcohol, other toxins or infection
- symptoms: jaundice (yellowing for the skin and white part of the eyes), accumulation of fluid in lower abdomen and lower extremities
21
Q
the effects of chronic abuse: cardiovascular system
A
- depends on the amount of alcohol consumed
- one drink or less for women and one or two drinks for men might decrease reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack in some people
- more than 2 drinks a day can increase BP (heart attack and stroke more likely), weaken heart muscles and cause “holiday heart”
22
Q
cardio myopathy
A
weakening of the heart muscle through disease
23
Q
holiday heart
A
- a syndrome characterized by serious abnormal rhythms (appear within 24hrs of binge drinking)
24
Q
the effects of chronic abuse: cancer
A
- alcohol is a known carcinogen
- risk factor for the development of breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, larynx, liver, mouth and pharynx cancer
- mixing alcohol and smoking increases the chances of cancer
25
the effects of chronic abuse: brain damage
- people with alcoholism experience brain shrinkage with loss of both grey and white matter, reduced blood flow and slowed metabolic rates in some regions of the brain
- cognitive impairments: memory loss, dementia, compromised problem-solving and reasoning abilities
26
the effects of chronic abuse: mortality
- on average life expectancy is about 15yrs less for alcoholics vs. non-alcoholics
- responsible for over 200 conditions, diseases and injuries
27
alcohol during pregnancy
- alcohol can travel as acetaldehyde across the placenta causing damage
- drinking early in pregnancy can either cause miscarriage or FASD
- -> FASD are more common in Aboriginal people and northern communities
- -> FASD not reversible
28
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
a characteristic group of birth defects caused by alcohol consumption by the mother including facial deformities, heart defects and physical and mental disabilities
29
alcohol related neurodevelopment disorder (ARND)
cognitive and behavioural problems seen in people whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy
30
possible health benefits of alcohol
- moderate drinking may imrpove heart health by raising blood levels of HDL, thinning blood, reducing inflammation and the risk of dangerous blood clots (all contribute to heart attack
- moderate drinking may also be less likely to develop diabetes, high BP, strokes, arterial blockages in legs and cognitive declines , and benign prostate enlargements
31
alcohol use - who does it impact?
impacts everyone - not just the drinker
32
canada's low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines (5)
1. reduce long-term effects: women do not exceed 10 drinks/week (2/day) and men do not exceed 15 drinks/week (3.day) and plan a non-alcohol day
2. reduce short-term effects: women consume no more than 3 and men no more than 4 drinks for any single occasion
3. youth (before age of 18 or 19): delay drinking as much as possible. alcohol can hard mental and physical health. no more than 1 or 2 drinks and no more than 1 or 2 times per week
4. young adults (18/19-24): women not exceed 3 drinks/day (10/week) and men not exceed 4 drinks/day (15/week)
5. older Canadians (older than 65): do not exceed guidelines - body process alcohol more slowly (ie.more sensitive to effects )
33
alcohol use disorder
diagnosed as mild, moderate or severe depending on the number of criteria an individual meets over a 12-month period
34
alcohol use disorder: criteria (10)
1. consuming alcohol in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than expected
2. persistent desire/making unsuccessful efforts to cut down/control alcohol use
3. spending time in activities necesssay to obtain alcohol, use alcohol, or recover from its effects
4. craving/strong desire to use alcohol
5. recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to preform at work, school or home
6. continued use of alcohol even tho its distrupiting interpersonal and social problems caused by alcohol
7. giving up or reducing social, school or work events due to alcohol
8. continued use of alcohol even in situations where its physically hazardous
9. continued using alcohol even tho experiencing physical and pshcological problems due to alcohol
10. developing a tolerance for alcohol - must consume more alcohol to reach the desired effect
11. experiencing negative withdrawl symptoms/ consuming alcohol to reduce the withdrawl symptoms
35
what are some alcohol withdrawl symptoms? what are the more serious withdrawl symptoms?
- appear 5-10 hours after the user has decreased the alcohol intake
- improves about 4-5 days after
- trembling hands, rapid pulse, acclerated breathing rate, insomnia, nightmares, anxiety
- more serious: seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens (DTs)
36
rum fits
seizures
37
delirium tremens (DTs)
a state of confusion brought on by the reduction of alcohol intake in a person addicted to alcohol; other symptoms are sweating, trembling, anxiety, hallucinations and seizures
38
what are some medical treatments for alcoholics - and what do they best work with? (4)
- work best with counselling and non-pharmacological programs
1. disulfiram (Antabuse): causes patients to feel ill when they drink (inhibits the metabolic process of acetaldehyde)
2. Naltrexone (ReVia, Depade): reduces the craving for alcohol and decreases its pleasant reinforcing effects by binding to the brain pleasure centre (does not cause illness)
3. Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrol): acts the same as oral naltrexone but only requires once a month shot by healthcare professional
4. Acamprosate (Campral): helps maintain abstinence after they have stopped drinking - appears to act on brain pathways that impact alcohol abuse
39
gender, setting and population differences: men
- white Canadians generally start drinking in teens or 20s and progresses in the 30s until they are identifiable as alcoholics in late 30s/early 40s
40
gender, setting and population differences: women
- usually more low-risk drinkers compared to men
- usually become alcoholics in late years (40s or 50s) after many years of controlled drinking
- higher death rates than men
41
gender, setting and population differences: first nations communities
- alcohol use is widespread and severe health problems
- many issues regarding abuse, unstable families, low education and poverty contribute to the problem
- highest risk group: males ages 18-29
42
binge drinking
periodically drinking alcohol to the point of severe intoxication; about 4 drinks for m=women and 5 drinks for men in the span of 2 hours
43
C.A.G.E. screening test - what is it and what does it stand for
- test to see whether or not you or someone around you has an alcohol problem
Cut down your drinking?
Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Guilty about your drinking?
Eye opener?
44
what are some tips to drink responsibly?
- drink slowly: sip don't gulp
- space your drinks - alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic
- eat before and while drinking: slow down the rate of absorption
- know your limits and your drinks: drink within a safe environment
45
how to promote responsible drinking?
- encourage responsible attitudes
- be a responsible host
- hold the drinker responsible
- take community action
46
Death by Alcohol - VIDEO (2006)
- Sam Spady died on Sept.4
- she consumed beer and 2 shots of tequila during the day then went to a frat house around midnight and drank vodka, binge drank for about 10hrs
- put into a room to sleep it off but she became unconscious and she died and found 12hrs later
- her BAC was 0.43 (respiratory system was so depressed it stopped working)
47
what is the main message of the Sam Spade Foundation?
educate young students about the dangers of binge drinking
Health Sci 1001A
flashcards
Decks in class (12)
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