ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BODY

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol

• 1. Alcohol irritates the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach.
• 2. Alcohol makes the heart work harder.
• 3. Alcohol makes the body lose heat.
• 4. Alcohol causes the liver to work harder.
• 5. Alcohol causes dehydration.

Long-Term Effects of Alcohol

• Brain damage, including shrunken brain and dead brain cells
• Heart Irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure (hypertension), enlargement of the heart, anemia
• Immune system Diminished immune system function, which makes fighting off disease difficult
• Small intestine Decreased ability to absorb vitamins
• Liver Hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer

What Is Alcoholism?

• Alcoholism is a disease that causes a person to lose control of his or her drinking behavior.
• Alcohol abuse is drinking too much alcohol, drinking it too often, or drinking it at inappropriate times.
• Alcoholics don't just crave alcohol. They have painful physical symptoms when they do not have alcohol.

Alcoholism Develops in Stages

• 1. Problem drinking
• 2. Tolerance
• 3. Dependence
• 4. Alcoholism

Alcoholism Affects the Family

• Guilty feelings
• Violence/Unpredictable behavior
• Neglect and isolation
• Protecting the alcoholic
• Ignoring one’s own needs

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Alcohol Affects the Body

• Alcohol is the drug found in beer, wine, and liquor that causes intoxi­cation.
• People in the United States under the age of 21, no alcoholic beverage is legal to consume.
• Short-Term Effects of Alcohol
• 1. Alcohol irritates the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach.
• 2. Alcohol makes the heart work harder.