I.

II.
III.

OUTLINE
a.
OBJECTIVES
a.
METHODOLOGY AND DISCUSSION
a. What is alcohol?
Alcohol, primarily in the form of ethyl alcohol (ethanol), is an
intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced
by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. It has occupied an
important place in the history of humankind for at least 8000 years. In
Western society, beer and wine were a main staple of daily life until the
19th century. These relatively dilute alcoholic beverages were preferred
over water, which was known to be associated with acute and chronic
illness. They provided important calories and nutrients and served as a
main source of daily liquid intake. As systems for improved sanitation and
water purification were introduced in the 1800s, beer and wine became
less important components of the human diet, and the consumption of
alcoholic beverages, including distilled preparations with higher
concentrations of alcohol, shifted toward their present-day role, in many
societies, as a socially acceptable form of recreation.
b. Absorption
After oral administration, ethanol is absorbed rapidly into the
bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine. Peak blood levels occur
about 30 minutes after ingestion of ethanol when the stomach is empty.
There is a delayed absorption with presence of food in the stomach due to
the slowing down of gastric emptying time. Levels of alcohol effects has
gender differences, women easily experience CNS depressant effects of
alcohol because of lower total body water content.
c. Distribution
There is a rapid rise in CNS levels, which receives larger proportion
of the total blood flow. Alcohol readily crosses biologic membrane like the
blood brain barrier.
d. Metabolism
Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by enzymes; however, the liver
can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, leaving the
excess alcohol to circulate throughout the body. The intensity of the effect
of alcohol on the body is directly related to the amount consumed. The
typical adult can metabolize 710 g (150220 mmol) of alcohol per hour,
the equivalent of approximately one "drink" [10 oz (300 mL) beer, 3.5 oz
(105 mL) wine, or 1 oz (30 mL) distilled 80-proof spirits].
e. Excretion
Mostly it is eliminated by the liver (90%
urine. Small quantities of ethanol can be excreted
quantified by Alcohol Breath test, this determines
your blood by measuring the amount of alcohol in
(exhale).

Oxidation), Lungs and

in urine and lungs. It is
how much alcohol is in
the air you breathe out

BLOOD ALCHOLOL CONCENTRATION

NONTOLERANT INDIVIDUALS
BAC (mg/dl)
50-100

(BAC)

AND

CLINICAL

EFFECTS

IN

CLINICAL EFFECT
Sedation, subjective high, slower
reaction times
100-200
Impaired motor function, slurred
speech, ataxia
200-300
Emesis, stupor
300-400
Coma
>400
Respiratory depression, death
In many prats of the United States, a blood level above 80-100 mg/dl for
adults or 5-20 mg/dl for persons under 21 is sufficient for conviction of
driving while under the influence.
IV.

APPENDIX

a.