Lecture Outline #9: The Biological Effects of Alcohol

I. INTRODUCTION

1. One drink = 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits.

2. Definitions of “current,” “binge,” and “heavy” drinkers:

3. About 50% of Americans over age 12 are “current” drinkers.

4. About 23% Americans over age 12 are “binge” drinkers.

5. About 7% Americans over age 12 are “heavy” drinkers.

6. Rates of alcohol problems are highest among young adults ages 18-29.

II. BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

1. Alcohol is a Toxic Substance.

1. Alcohol is a CNS depressant.

2. Short-term effects: vision, emotions, judgment, hangovers.

3. Long-term effects: there are numerous long-term effects of excessive alcohol consumption. These include liver cirrhosis, gastrointestinal problems, pancreatic problems, cardiovascular problems, endocrine problems, immune problems, bone/connective tissue problems, cancers, CNS disorders, sleep disorders, malnutrition, reproductive disorders, and fetal alcohol syndrome.

III. DEATHS DUE TO ALCOHOL (more than 240,000 deaths annually)

1. Drunken driving accounts for 24% of these deaths.

2. Alcohol-related homicides and suicides account for 20% of these deaths.

3. Cancers of the esophagus, larynx, and oral cavity account for 17% of these deaths.

4. Alcohol-related strokes and other ailments (e.g., cirrhosis) cause 27% of the deaths.

IV. ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT CHARTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

V. THE PRO’s AND CON’s OF THE BENEFITS OF MODERATE DRINKING

(NOTE: For more information, click here for GOOGLE sites of interest.)

VI. OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION AND BINGE DRINKING ON CAMPUS

1. Drinking patterns established in high school often persist during college.

2. 65% of fulltime college students (aged 18-22) are “current” drinkers.

(compared to 55% non-fulltime college students) (but, grads less likely to binge)

3. 44% of college students engage in binge drinking within a 2-week period (♂=51%; ♀=40%).

4. 73% of the men and 68% of the women college bingers say they drink to get drunk.

5. White student athletes, or residents of fraternities and sororities, are biggest bingers.

a. white students are 2-times as likely to be binge drinkers.

b. athletes are 1.5-times more likely to be binge drinkers.

c. social club members are 4-times as likely to binge.

6. Bingers have more academic and social problems.

7. The relationship between the grade average of First-Year Trinity students and drinking:

a. students with "A" grades averaged 0.2 drinks per week.

b. students with "B" grades averaged 5.4 drinks per week.

c. students with "C" grades averaged 11.4 drinks per week.

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