Alcohol

• What is the main drug found in alcohol?

  Ethanol
• How does alcohol affect behavior?

  It can make people feel relaxed or aggressive
• What type of drug is alcohol classified as?

  A depressant
• What happens to ethanol when consumed?

  It is absorbed into the bloodstream
• What is the effect of alcohol on the nervous system?

  It slows down the body's reactions
• What is an alcoholic?

  A person addicted to alcohol
• What is the recommended maximum alcohol intake per week?

  14 units
• How is one unit of alcohol defined?

  10ml of pure alcohol
• What factors affect how a person reacts to alcohol?

  Height, weight, and sex
• What are some health problems caused by long-term alcohol consumption?

  Stomach ulcers, heart disease, liver damage
• What is cirrhosis of the liver?

  A condition from heavy drinking
• What is the drug found in wine and beer?

  Ethanol
• How does alcohol affect the nervous system?

  Alcohol is a depressant that slows down the body's reactions
• What is meant by the term "alcoholic"?

  A person who is addicted to alcohol
• How many units of alcohol are recommended per week for men and women?

  14 units
• What is one unit of alcohol?

  10 ml of pure alcohol
• How many units of alcohol are in a 200 ml glass of wine that is 10% alcohol?

  $20$ units
• What is the condition called when the liver becomes scarred from breaking down large amounts of alcohol?

  Cirrhosis of the liver
• How does alcohol damage the liver?

  The liver has to break down large amounts of ethanol, causing it to become scarred and work less efficiently
• What are three negative effects of alcohol on pregnancy?

  Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low-birth-weight babies
• How does alcohol affect a developing baby?

  Alcohol diffuses into the baby's bloodstream through the placenta and can damage the developing organs and nervous system
• What is the condition called where alcohol affects the way a baby's brain develops?

  Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• How does alcohol affect fertility in both men and women?

  Alcohol reduces the number of sperm a man produces and affects ovulation in women, making them less likely to conceive
• Why is alcohol considered a drug?

  Because it affects the nervous system, slows down the body's reaction time, and can damage cells
• What are the effects of alcohol on the body?

  • Makes people feel relaxed and happy
  • Can make people feel aggressive or unhappy
  • Slows down the body's reactions
  • Affects speech, vision, and consciousness
  • Can lead to loss of control of muscles, making it difficult to walk and balance
• How does alcohol affect a pregnant woman and her baby?

  • Increases risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low-birth-weight babies
  • Alcohol diffuses into the baby's bloodstream through the placenta and can damage the developing organs and nervous system
  • Can result in Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, which affects the baby's brain development and can cause learning difficulties, facial differences, and problems with organs
  • Reduces fertility in both men and women, making it harder to conceive
• What are the dangers of heavy, long-term alcohol consumption?

  • Causes stomach ulcers, heart disease, and brain and liver damage
  • Leads to cirrhosis of the liver, where the liver becomes scarred and works less efficiently
  • The liver has to break down large amounts of ethanol, causing it to become scarred
• What are the guidelines for safe alcohol consumption?

  • The government recommends men and women do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week on a regular basis
  • This 14 unit limit should be spread over several days if people do regularly drink 14 units
  • One unit of alcohol is 10 ml of pure alcohol
• How can you calculate the number of units in an alcoholic drink?

  • The alcohol content is given as a percentage of the whole drink
  • To calculate units, multiply the volume of the drink by the alcohol percentage and divide by 10 (since 1 unit = 10 ml of pure alcohol)