Alcohol habits
Illnesses and effects caused by alcohol
By FPMG, Bulgaria
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01
02
03
04
05
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
TEMPORARY EFFECTS
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
OVERDOSE
WHY IS IT ADDICTIVE
What is alcohol?
01
Brief explanation
What is alcohol?
Ethanol - the chemistry hidden behind alcohol
Negative long- and short term effects on the human body
Contents of known to us alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, whiskey etc.
Prohibitions and limitations
Temporary effects
02
What happens to us under the influence of alcohol?
The are two sides to every coin
“Positive” effects
Negative short-term effects
Long term effects
03
of alcohol consumption and illnesses caused by it
Alcohol metabolism
Metabolising drugs usually serves 2 purposes:
Alcohol metabolism
Ethanol
Alcohol dehydrogenase
Acetaldehyde
Acetate
Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
Acetyl-CoA
This compound is toxic, and it is responsible for alcohol-related facial flushing, headaches, nausea, and increased heart rate.
It is also cancerogenic and therefore alcohol may cause stomach and intestinal cancer
NADH and acetate inhibit the fatty acid degradation
Prolonged exposure leads to accumulation of fats which leads to leads to cell death as the fat stores reduce the function of the cell to the point of death. These cells are then replaced with scar tissue, leading to the condition called cirrhosis.
Both fats and ethanol use NAD as an enzyme and when it goes for the ethanol, there is not enough left to degrade the fats.
Acetyl-CoA is used as a building block in energy metabolism, for example for the synthesis of fatty acids
Elevates blood levels of triglycerides - unsaturated fats.
High triglycerides cause hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls (arteriosclerosis) — which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack or heart disease
Long term effects and illnesses
Overdose
04
Alcohol could be lethal
Overdose
<0.1
Intoxication
Levels of even less than 0.1% can cause intoxication
Unconsciousness
Unconsciousness often occurring at 0.3–0.4%
0.3-0.4
Fatal
A blood level of 0.5% or more is commonly fatal
0.5
Chance of death
Death from ethanol consumption is possible when blood levels reach 0.4%
0.4
Blood alcohol levels in percent
5,628 mg/kg
If a person who weighs 70 kg drank a 500 mL glass of pure ethanol, they would theoretically have a 50% risk of dying
Why is it addictive?
05
Physical and psychological factors; withdrawal
Physical factors
Stimulates the release of dopamine and endorphins within the brain, which are a natural painkillers and they make people feel happiness.
When the consumption becomes too frequent, the brain may start to believe that naturally produced dopamine and endorphins aren’t needed and stop releasing them at all.
The continued use of alcohol and stimulated release of them results in the stopping of their natural production.
When this happens our only source of these chemicals is the alcohol which leads to addiction.
Psychological
It’s a learned behavior.
This coping mechanism can become a habit that seems impossible to break.
A person’s thoughts and beliefs, developmental maturity and stress can be contributing factors.
Withdrawal
The withdrawal process is very challenging to go through, as the brain and body crave the level of alcohol they are accustomed to receiving. Avoiding withdrawal is a strong motivator for an alcoholic to continue to drink.
ANXIETY
SEIZURES
INSOMNIA
NAUSEA
People who are addicted to alcohol and suddenly stop drinking undergo a detoxification process that can have a number of physical and psychological symptoms. These include:
DEPRESSION
“THE SHAKES”
SOURCES
Are the temporary pleasant feelings worth the years of pain, disabilities, illness and dependency?
Do you have any questions?
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