Chapter 10: Lesson 10.1 The Effects of Alcohol pt. 1

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28 questions

Alcohol Use

Alcohol is an addictive drug that is known as a depressant. Alcohol alters a person’s brain function. This has an immediate effect on a person’s body, thinking, and behavior. Alcohol is found in drinks such as beer, wine, and liquor. In the United States, it is illegal for people under 21 years of age to drink alcohol.

Drinking alcohol can have serious effects on a person’s body, decisions, and future. Adults who decide to drink alcohol need to consider the harmful effects.

The best way to avoid the harmful effects of alcohol is not to drink. Some adults, however, choose to consume alcohol despite the harmful effects. Certain patterns of drinking alcohol can increase or decrease a person’s risk of experiencing harmful effects.

Moderate drinking, also called social drinking, involves consuming no more than one drink on the same occasion for females and no more than two drinks on the same occasion for males. When experts talk about an alcoholic drink, they are referring to any drink that contains 0.6 ounces (14.0 grams or 1.2 tablespoons) of pure alcohol. Figure 10.2 shows the one-drink equivalents for different types of alcoholic drinks.People who drink in moderation do not drink every day. Moderate drinking describes when legal adults occasionally consume alcohol. For example, an adult might have a drink at a dinner party or other special event. Moderate drinking is less likely to cause harmful effects, but it could easily lead to binge drinking or heavy drinking.

Binge drinking involves consuming four or more drinks for females and five or more drinks for males on the same occasion and in a short amount of time. The majority of alcohol consumed by underage drinkers is in the form of binge drinking. Binge drinking can result in many harmful effects.

Heavy drinking is drinking eight or more drinks in one week for females and 15 or more drinks in one week for males. Heavy drinking can lead a person to become psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol.

A psychological dependence on alcohol is the cravings and anxiety a person feels when not using or trying to quit the substance. This person may feel that drinking alcohol will help with feeling “normal.“ When somone is physically dependent on alcohol, this person needs to consume alcohol for the body to function normally.

10 points

Question 1

Which of the following is true about alcohol?

It is legal for people under 21 to drink.

It is an addictive depressant.

It is found in coffee and tea.

It is a stimulant.

10 points

Question 2

How does alcohol affect a person's brain function?

It has no effect on it.

It dulls it.

It alters it.

It enhances it.

10 points

Question 3

What is the best way to avoid the harmful effects of alcohol?

Drink in moderation.

Not to drink.

Drink every day.

Drink only on special occasions.

10 points

Question 4

What is binge drinking?

Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol on a regular basis.

Consuming several drinks in a short amount of time.

Drinking four or more drinks every day.

Drinking alcohol occasionally at dinner parties.

10 points

Question 5

What is the immediate effect of alcohol on a person's body, thinking, and behavior?

Alcohol causes immediate happiness

Alcohol reduces brain function

Alcohol has no effect on brain function

Alcohol alters brain function

10 points

Question 6

Which of the following is considered moderate drinking?

Four drinks for females, five drinks for males

Two drinks for females, three drinks for males

Three drinks for females, four drinks for males

One drink for females, two drinks for males

10 points

Question 7

What is binge drinking?

Drinking more than eight drinks in a week

Having one drink occasionally

Drinking excessively every day

Consuming four or more drinks for females, five or more drinks for males in a short amount of time

10 points

Question 8

What is the difference between psychological and physical dependence on alcohol?

Psychological dependence is needing alcohol for normal body function, physical dependence is cravings and anxiety

Psychological dependence is cravings and anxiety, physical dependence is needing alcohol for normal body function

Psychological dependence is cravings and anxiety, physical dependence is needing alcohol for feeling happy

Psychological dependence is feeling normal without alcohol, physical dependence is feeling happy with alcohol

Alcohol Use Disorder
Like tobacco use, drinking alcohol can be addictive, especially for some people. Alcohol use can increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. An alcohol use disorder is a type of substance use disorder in which a person has an addiction to alcohol and continues to consume it despite short- and long-term negative health effects.

No one who drinks alcohol intends to develop an addiction to alcohol. Despite this, drinking alcohol can easily lead to one. People who start drinking before 15 years of age are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking as adults.

Addiction to alcohol develops gradually through a series of stages (Figure 10.3). During the experimentation stage, people try alcohol and may drink it occasionally. For example, young people may try alcohol after seeing their parents drinking or may feel pressured by their friends.

Some people who experiment with alcohol decide they do not like it and quit drinking. For others, experimentation can lead to regular use. During this stage, people consume alcohol on a regular basis. People who engage in moderate drinking limit their alcohol intake to not drink too much. 

Regular use, however, often causes people to drink more than they should. This results in the development of an alcohol use disorder.
Regular use causes the body to develop a tolerance for alcohol. In this stage, a person’s body gets used to a certain amount of alcohol (Figure 10.4). A person must consume larger amounts of alcohol than previously needed to feel the same effects. This can easily lead to heavy drinking and an alcohol dependence.

Dependence occurs when the user is psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol. Once a dependence on alcohol exists, a person must have the substance in the body for the body to function as it did before alcohol use. If a person tries to stop drinking, withdrawal symptoms may occur. These symptoms may include hallucinations, impaired coordination, and disruptions in brain function.

People with an alcohol addiction show a number of signs and symptoms. They may have a strong craving for alcohol and may not be able to limit their drinking. They may also experience memory loss or a blackout (forget what happened while drinking). People with an alcohol addiction often continue to drink despite serious issues with their physical and mental health, as well as trouble with their family and friends, school, or other responsibilities.

10 points

Question 9

Alcohol use disorder is a type of __________ disorder.

substance use

sleep

mood

eating

10 points

Question 10

10.

What is the primary risk factor for developing alcohol dependence?

starting to drink before 15

drinking as an adult

drinking with friends

drinking occasionally

10 points

Question 11

11.

Regular use of alcohol often leads to the development of __________.

a tolerance for alcohol

an alcohol use disorder

moderate drinking

an addiction to tobacco

10 points

Question 12

12.

What is a common symptom of alcohol addiction?

headache

memory loss

sleepiness

hiccups

10 points

Question 13

13.

What is an alcohol use disorder?

Experimenting with alcohol

An addiction to alcohol

Moderate drinking

A dislike for alcohol

10 points

Question 14

14.

What increases the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder?

Not drinking alcohol

Having a family history of alcohol use disorder

Starting to drink before 15 years of age

Drinking alcohol occasionally

10 points

Question 15

15.

What happens during the dependence stage of alcohol use disorder?

Moderate drinking becomes regular

People quit drinking alcohol

Experimentation with alcohol increases

The body develops a tolerance for alcohol

10 points

Question 16

16.

What are some signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction?

Feeling the same effects after drinking larger amounts

Craving for alcohol, memory loss, and continued drinking

Losing taste for alcohol and quitting drinking

Having occasional blackouts

Health Effects of Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorders
The effects of alcohol vary from person to person, depending on several factors (Figure 10.5). Even when people use or misuse small amounts of alcohol, they experience minor effects. When people consume larger amounts of alcohol or develop alcohol use disorders, they can face life-threatening effects.

Immediate Health Effects

When someone drinks alcohol, the substance is quickly absorbed into the person’s bloodstream and is carried to different parts of the body. When someone drinks a lot of alcohol in a short period of time, the body is unable to break down the alcohol fast enough. As a result, the alcohol builds up in the bloodstream. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood. People who have a BAC of 0.08 or above are considered legally impaired, also known as intoxicated or drunk. A person who is intoxicated shows substantial physical and mental signs and symptoms.

Central Nervous System
Alcohol use and misuse affects every cell in the body and slows down the central nervous system. When alcohol enters the central nervous system, it negatively affects many body functions. Certain brain functions slow, chemical changes occur, and a person’s inhibition is reduced (Figure 10.6). Inhibition is the self-control that keeps people from taking dangerous risks.

The more alcohol a person consumes, the more it affects the brain. People who have had one drink may still have some control of behaviors, speak more loudly, and use more body movements. People who consume larger amounts of alcohol, especially in a short period of time, may feel they have less control of behaviors. They may have difficulty thinking clearly and lose coordination in body movements. They may also have difficulty giving or recognizing legal consent to sexual activity.

10 points

Question 17

17.

What is blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

Total amount of alcohol consumed

Percentage of alcohol in a person's blood

Number of drinks a person has consumed

The time it takes to break down alcohol in the body

10 points

Question 18

18.

How does alcohol affect the central nervous system?

Slows down brain functions and reduces inhibition

Has no impact on brain functions or behavior

Speeds up brain functions and increases inhibition

Causes a person to lose coordination in body movements

10 points

Question 19

19.

What are some immediate signs of intoxication?

Substantial physical and mental signs and symptoms

Increased ability to think clearly and make decisions

Temporary loss of memory

Enhanced motor skills and coordination

10 points

Question 20

20.

What happens to a person's control of behavior as they consume more alcohol?

They gain better control of their inhibitions

They have less control and may have difficulty thinking clearly

Their coordination in body movements improves

Their behavior becomes more controlled and rational

10 points

Question 21

21.

What is blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

Rate at which alcohol is metabolized

Amount of alcohol consumed

Percentage of alcohol in a person's blood

Measurement of heart rate

10 points

Question 22

22.

What are some immediate signs of intoxication?

Increase in body temperature

Substantial physical and mental signs and symptoms

Improved cognitive abilities

Decreased appetite

10 points

Question 23

23.

How does alcohol affect a person's inhibition?

Reduces a person's self-control

Enhances decision-making skills

Stimulates brain activity

Increases a person's self-control

10 points

Question 24

24.

What are the effects of consuming larger amounts of alcohol?

Enhanced physical strength

Difficulty thinking clearly and loss of coordination

Improved memory and focus

Increased reaction time

Hangover Symptoms and Alcohol Poisoning
The effects of drinking alcohol can continue in the body—even up to 24 hours—after a person stops drinking. Drinking too much in a short period of time can cause a hangover or even alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening.
The term hangover describes the negative symptoms caused by excessive alcohol consumption in one occasion. Examples of hangover symptoms include the following:
tiredness, headaches, and muscle aches
nausea and vomiting
dizziness and a feeling that the room is spinning
increased sensitivity to light and sound
difficulty sleeping
thirst and dehydration
shakiness
depression, anxiety, and irritability
difficulty concentrating
Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency that occurs when a large amount of alcohol enters the bloodstream in a short period of time. Alcohol poisoning can result in loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, low body temperature, and difficulty breathing. Extreme levels of alcohol consumption can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Given the serious consequences of alcohol poisoning, you should know the warning signs (Figure 10.7). Call 911 immediately if you suspect a person is experiencing alcohol poisoning.

10 points

Question 25

25.

What are common hangover symptoms?

Muscle aches, vomiting, dehydration

Shakiness, depression, difficulty concentrating

Increased sensitivity, difficulty sleeping, thirst

Headaches, nausea, dizziness

10 points

Question 26

26.

What is alcohol poisoning?

Medical emergency from excessive alcohol consumption

Drinking too much alcohol in a short period of time

Loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, low body temperature

Permanent brain damage or death

10 points

Question 27

27.

What can alcohol poisoning result in?

Headaches, nausea and vomiting

Muscle aches, shaking, and depression

Difficulty breathing and brain damage

Increased sensitivity to light and sound, dehydration

10 points

Question 28

28.

When should you call 911 for alcohol poisoning?

If you suspect it

If a large amount of alcohol enters the bloodstream

After the hangover symptoms subside

When a person has difficulty sleeping