3.+Physical+Effects

=Physical Effects of Alcohol on Adolescents=

Physical Effects:
Our textbook states that alcohol is like any other general anesthetic, in that it depresses the CNS (central nervous system). However, exactly how it does this is a mystery (Hart et al., 2008).

When we drink alcohol, it is very quickly absorbed because it is fat and water soluble. 95% of alcohol consumed is metabolized; 20% is absorbed from the stomach, and 80% is absorbed by the small intestine (K. Lomp, Pharmacology Lecture, November 19th, 2010). Alcohol is evenly distributed throughout the entire body and the brain. A person's BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is affected by his or her size; the smaller someone is, the faster his or her BAC will rise (K. Lomp, Pharmacology Lecture, November 19th). Teenagers are usually smaller than adults and reach a high BAC more quickly, because the alcohol is being put into a smaller "tank" (K. Lomp, Pharmacology Lecture, November 19th, 2010). As well, teenage drinkers have not had a chance to build up much of a tolerance for alcohol, so it has a stronger effect on them. Conversely, teenagers can handle drinking more alcohol than adults can, because their bodies are younger and more efficient (K. Lomp, Pharmacology Lecture, November 9th, 2010).



**Hangovers:**
Most of us are familiar with this unpleasant result of over-drinking. Its symptoms include upset stomach, fatigue, headache, thirst, depression, anxiety, and general malaise (Hart et al., 2008). Hangover symptoms are caused by a variety of factors. Among these are, withdrawal from a short or long term dependence on alcohol, reaction to congeners, and excreting more fluid than was taken in with the alcoholic beverages (Hart et al., 2008). The nausea and upset stomach can be attributed to the fact that alcohol is a gastric irritant (Hart et al., 2008). Nausea and headache can also be caused by an accumulation of acetaldehyde, which is very toxic, even in small quantities (Hart et al., 2008). Another major contributor to hangovers is fatigue, which is caused by a higher than normal activity level while drinking, due to a decrease in inhibitions (Hart et al., 2008). Despite widely marketed hangover "cures", the only remedy for a hangover is an analgesic for the headache, rest, and time (Hart et al., 2008). The only way to avoid a hangover is to drink moderately (K. Lomp, Pharmacology Lecture, November 9th, 2010).

**Alcohol Toxicity:**
Alcohol consumption can result in both acute and chronic toxicity (Hart et al., 2008). Acute physiological toxicity occurs often, if you include people who drink to the point of being physically ill and/or to the point of experiencing hangovers (Hart et al., 2008). Our text book states that more than 1,000 Americans die each year from accidental blood poisoning (Hart et al., 2008). One of the first warning signs of alcohol poisoning is vomiting. The vomiting reflex is triggered by rapidly rising BAC, usually above 0.12 percent. The vomiting reflex is suppressed once the BAC rises above 0.20, which is why it is so dangerous to continue drinking even after you have vomited (Hart et al., 2008).

**Other Physiological Effects:**
Alcohol effects the body in a few other ways. For example, consuming alcohol causes dilation of the body's peripheral blood vessels (Hart et al., 2008). This increases heat loss from the body, while making the drinker feel warm (Hart et al., 2008). The simultaneous heat loss and cooling of the body's core causes the biochemical processes to slow down (Hart et al., 2008). As well, alcohol has a diuretic effect. Consuming alcohol causes a decrease in the output of the antidiuretic hormone, ADH (also called vasopressin) (Hart et al., 2008). This increases urine flow in response to alcohol, and can lower blood pressure in some individuals (Hart et al., 2008).

**The following video shows some of the inhibitory effects of alcohol.**
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