Alcohol is our culture’s “drug of choice” for relaxation and social pleasure. At light and moderate levels it is tolerated well by adults. However alcohol becomes a toxin at heavy and binge levels and can become addictive with chronic use. For these reasons we must study about the dangers of alcohol and learn proper use of this important social drug.

Notes from Mr. Brown:

B.A.C. = Blood Alcohol Concentration

.05 – relax (100.05)

.08 – light buz – release inhibitions – slows reactions

.10 – poor reactions – acting out behavior – drunk driving

.15- Toxic – drunk

.20 – Staggering

.30 – pass out

.40 – coma and death

12oz beer = 5oz wine = 1.5 oz of spirits

Use of Alcohol

Light – 2 or less drinks per day

Moderate – 2-4 drinks per day

Heavy – 4-6 or more drinks per day

Binge – drink to get drunk every once in a while

Three ways we have problems with Alcohol

1. Cars and Machinery (accidents) – Leading preventable cause of death!

2. Heavy and regular use causes alcoholism.

3. Binge drinking causes toxic reaction to overdose

Vocabulary terms:

ethanol

fermentation

intoxication

depressant

BAC – Blood Alcohol Concentration

designated drivers

fatty liver

cirrhosis

fetal alcohol syndrome

CNS – central nervous system

oxidation

hepatitis

tolerance

dependence

withdrawal

synergistic effect

fetal alcohol syndrome

binge drinking

alcohol poisoning

alcoholism

DT – delirium tremens

stages of alcoholism (one, two, three)