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Alcohol Lesson Objectives •Indicate what is meant by “percentage by volume” of an alcoholic drink •Describe, using examples, the link between percentage by volume and units of alcohol •Describe current government guidance for men and women on recommended limits of alcohol consumption •Identify two specific health risks associated with alcohol abuse •Describe two social problems associated with alcohol abuse Alcohol • If drinks are consumed in quick succession there is an increased risk of harm. • Alcohol is measured in Units – 1 unit is equivalent to half a pint of ordinary beer or one small glass of wine (125ml), one measure of spirits using pub measures or just less than one alcopop. • Alcohol by volume (abbreviated as abv or ABV) is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic drink (expressed as a percentage) • The liver takes one hour to process one unit of alcohol. The recommended maximum daily in take is 2-3 units for a woman and 3-4 units for a man. Binge drinking is currently defined as drinking twice the daily recommendation in a session. ABV Drink Typical ABV Low-alcohol beer 0.0%–1.2% Cider 2%–8.5% Beer 2%–12% (usually 4%–6%) Alcopops 4%–17.5% 9%–18% (most often 12.5%– Wine 14.5%)[6] Liqueurs 15%–55% Vodka 35%–50% (usually 40%) Brandy 36%–60% Rum 37.5%–80% Gin 40%–50% 40%–55% (usually 40% or Whisky 43%) Absinthe 45%–89.9% Units Effects 1 Likelihood of having an accident increases 2-3 Mild intoxication; Feeling of warmth, skin flushed; become more cheerful; impaired judgment; decreased inhibitions 4-6 Intoxication in many people; increased impairment of judgment, inhibition, attention, and control; some impairment of muscular performance; slowing of reflexes. Quarrelsome. 7-9 Obvious intoxication in all normal people; staggering gait and other muscular in-coordination; slurred speech; double vision; memory and comprehension loss More than 10 Extreme intoxication or stupour; reduced response to stimuli; inability to stand; vomiting; incontinence; sleepiness More than 20 Coma; unconsciousness; little response to stimuli; incontinence; low body temperature; poor respiration; fall in blood pressure; clammy skin More than 30 Alcoholic poisoning – death likely • How to calculate units in alcohol: • Percentage of alcohol by volume (AbV) ÷ 100 X Volume • Now work out the units in the following alcoholic drinks Bottle of Beer Can of Beer Low 4% Alcohol 2% 5% 6% 9% Super Pint of Beer Strength Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Bottle of Beer Low 4% Alcohol 2% 5% 6% 9% Super Strength Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Low 4% Alcohol 2% Bottle of Beer 5% 6% 2% of 330ml = 2 ÷ 100 X 330 9% Super = 6.6ml Strength = 0.66 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Low 4% Alcohol 2% Bottle of Beer 5% 6% 4% of 330ml = 4 ÷ 100 X 330 9% Super = 13.2ml Strength = 1.32 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Low 4% Alcohol 2% Bottle of Beer 5% 6% 5% of 330ml = 5 ÷ 100 X 330 9% Super = 16.5ml Strength = 1.65 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Low 4% Alcohol 2% Bottle of Beer 5% 6% 6% of 330ml = 6 ÷ 100 X 330 9% Super = 19.8ml Strength = 1.98 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Low 4% Alcohol 2% Bottle of Beer 5% 6% 9% of 330ml = 9 ÷ 100 X 330 9% Super = 29.7ml Strength = 2.97 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Bottle of wine 12 ½ % Small glass of wine = 125ml Standard glass of wine = 175ml Large glass of wine = 250 ml 12 ½ % of 750ml = 12.5 ÷ 100 X 750 = 93.75ml = 9.375 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Bottle of wine 12 ½ % Small glass of wine = 125ml Standard glass of wine = 175ml Large glass of wine = 250 ml 12 ½ % of 125ml = 12.5 ÷ 100 X 125 = 15.625ml = 1.5625 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Bottle of wine 12 ½ % Small glass of wine = 125ml Standard glass of wine = 175ml Large glass of wine = 250 ml 12 ½ % of 175ml = 12.5 ÷ 100 X 175 = 21.875ml = 2.1876 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units Bottle of wine 12 ½ % Small glass of wine = 125ml Standard glass of wine = 175ml Large glass of wine = 250 ml 12 ½ % of 250ml = 12.5 ÷ 100 X 250 = 31.25ml = 3.125 units Recommended daily limit for men is 3-4 units Recommended daily limit for women is 2-3 units What are the physical effects of alcohol abuse? • Alcohol abuse can lead to many harmful effects on a range of body systems. The most well recognized adverse effect of alcohol abuse is liver damage, leading in severe cases to liver cirrhosis. However, alcohol abuse can damage almost any body system. Brain damage caused by alcohol abuse includes dementia and severe memory loss. Alcohol abuse increases the chances of heart attacks occurring and raises blood pressure. Alcohol abuse increases the chances of occurrence of many cancers of the gastro-intestinal tract, including stomach cancer. The pancreas can be severely damaged by alcohol abuse, as can the body´s nervous system. What are the social effects of alcohol abuse? • Alcohol abuse is well recognized as a cause of deteriorating relationships. Alcohol abuse is also associated with increases in crime, violence and unemployment. What are the psychological effects of alcohol abuse? Alcohol is a depressant and alcohol abuse is a common cause of depression. Typically depression caused by alcohol abuse resolves by itself when the alcohol abuse ceases. Alcohol abuse can cause increased anxiety levels and panic attacks. Paranoia and mental confusion can occur in severe cases of alcohol abuse. Effects of Alcohol on Society • The cost of treating alcohol related illnesses is £1.7 billion pounds. • 10 million UK residents drink more than the recommended maximum amount of alcohol every week. • The Government makes £5.7 billion a year by taxing alcoholic drinks..
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