Alcohol as a Sedative Drug - Central nervous system sedative drug - Decreases alertness, increases fatigue, and slows cognitive processing - Low doses - Stimulation and decreases inhibition - High doses - Sedative effects Binge Drinking - Negative effects on health and well-being - Binge drinking associated with - Poor academic performance - Social and personal problems - Driving while intoxicated, damage property, suffer injuries, and engage In violence and risky sexual behavior - Alcohol poisoning - Accidents - Alcohol dependence - Liver cirrhosis Acute Effects - Objective effects - Low doses - Reduces inhibitions, stimulation, talkative, more aggressive, greater libido - High doses - Impairment in psychomotor performance, working memory, and attention - Very high doses - Unconsciousness, coma, and death NHTSA Field Sobriety Tests - Horizontal gaze nystagmus -Walk and turn test - One leg stand test Acute Effects - Aggression - Alcohol causes diminished judgment and heightened emotionally, which can Facilitate aggressive behavior. - Demonstrated in animals and humans - Dose dependent and associated with personality factors - More likely in males than females - Subjective effects - Euphoria - Emotional reactions - Stimulation - Sedation - Effects on the body - Pain perception is reduced - Balance and coordination reduced - Stimulates gastric secretions/induces hunger - Nausea and vomiting - Interferes with sexual performance - Increases blood flow to skin - Diuretic Withdrawal - Withdrawal symptoms after chronic heavy use can be severe and cause death - Stage 1: Tremors, rapid heartbeat, hypertension, excessive sweating, loss of Appetite, and insomnia - Stage 2: Hallucinations - Stage 3: Delusions, disorientation, delirium, amnesia - Stage 4: Seizures - Delirium tremens Chronic Effects on the Body - Variety of alcohol associated medical problems - Brains damage - Including memory problems, blunted emotional responsiveness, and Difficulty with balance - Liver problems - Fatty liver - Alcohol hepatitis - Cirrhosis - Cardiac problems - Stroke - Sexual difficulties