Alcohol, the Brain and Behavior (1979)

when an individual dve he performs and the ability to respond to unexpected situations man I'm sorry we know that alcohol adversely affects or impairs one's ability to carry out the task of driving an automobile but how does alcohol cause impairment how does it diminish one's capacity to perceive and respond to a given situation what effect does Al alcohol have on the brain and behavior [Music] hey how you doing huh how do yeah of course you kidding you're looking good [Music] yeah he told you that huh hey Tomo made yeah you knew I was coming huh yeah look see you guys later okay see you later [Music] tooy the average drink contains approximately 1 half o of pure ethyl alcohol this is the amount of alcohol found in a 12 oz can of beer in a 4 oz glass of wine and in a cocktail which contains 1 oz of distilled liquor when the alcohol contained in one of these beverages enters the bloodstream it begins to induce entire intoxication thus affecting Behavior I've seen you around but I don't think we've ever met before my name is Victor I'm Shar the level of intoxication can be measured in terms of the concentration of alcohol in one's bloodstream or the blood alcohol level though this blood alcohol level is influenced primarily by the amount one consumes there are other factors which play an important role the size of an individual is an important factor a large person has more blood in his system and therefore will be less intoxicated than a smaller person who consumes the same amount of alcohol the rate at which alcohol is consumed will also affect its concentration at a given time sex is another Factor women do not dilute alcohol as efficiently as men and tend to have a slightly higher concentration with the same alcohol intake we have seen some of the factors which can influence the level of intoxication but how does alcohol actually affect our system and how does intoxication occur unlike most foods which are slowly digested before entering the bloodstream alcohol alol passes directly through the walls of the stomach and small intestine once alcohol is distributed throughout the body it undergo various metabolic changes most of this metabolic activity occurs in the liver there alcohol is transformed and eventually oxidized into carbon dioxide and water although alcohol acts on every organ system in the body its primary effects are on the nervous system for alcohol belongs to a group of substances which suppress or inhibit the functions of the brain one can better understand how alcohol inhibits these functions and dramatically Alters Human Experience and behavior byid identifying its effects on four of the major centers in the brain the overlying region of the brain is the cerebral cortex here the higher human capacities such as learning judgment and abstract thinking are controlled located within the cerebral cortex are the sensory and motor strips they govern our ability to perceive sensory input and guide appropriate motor responses at the base of the brain is the cerebellum a highly specialized area involved in regulating coordination and balance finally the midbrain and brain stem monitor our Vital life support functions such as heart rate and respiration the concentration of alcohol in the brain will have an inhibiting effect on these centers progressing from the higher cortical centers to the more basic in the brain stem first the cortical or Learning Centers are inhibited and judgment becomes impaired as its concentration becomes greater alcohol affects perception responses coordination and finally Consciousness when the brain stem itself becomes saturated with alcohol our Vital functions may cease we have seen how alcohol affects our system and causes intoxication what behaviors can we observe at various stages of intoxication no I'm going with two friends they'll get me up at and I have to get up after I get this woman has kept her intake of alcohol to a minimum at this point in the party her blood alcohol level is roughly 05% she is relaxed and shows no obvious signs of impairment listen there's an elephant and a giraffe okay and they're sitting in a bathtub all right elephant says to the giraffe he says this individual has had more to drink his blood alcohol level is .1% he is animated and even euphoric as if the alcohol were stimulating his brain his surge of energy however is due to a loss of inhibition since alcohol depresses those higher centers of the brain which normally inhibit Behavior this man has a higher blood alcohol level of 2% it is obvious from his behavior that he is in intoxicated his coordination and balance are impaired and his speech is affected as well the driveway we need to drink don't enough to drink cof this woman is even further intoxicated and her blood alcohol level has climed climb to 3% although her eyes are open for all practical purposes her mind is asleep her companion's blood alcohol level is even higher at 35% for him this party is over there is a popular misconception that exercise cold showers or stimulants such as coffee accelerate the sobering up process and indeed coffee will help some individuals remain awake but it will not improve judgments nor will it sharpen reactions which are dled by alcohol for the average individual it takes an hour to metabolize one drink or half an ounce of pure alcohol time then is the most critical Factor after all of that after all of that oh yeah I can do no problem an individual who intends to drive after drinking should either Pace his intake or allow sufficient time after the last drink before getting behind the wheel of an automobile in Most states a person is considered to be under the influence when his blood alcohol level reaches .1% though all of these individuals are impaired this person poses the greatest driving Hazard to himself and to others his physical impairment may not be obvious however alcohol is already affecting his judgment this individual would tend to overrate his ability to drive and take needless chances behind the wheel of an automobile a more intoxicated individual might be aware of his limitations as would others around him are you going to be okay driving huh yeah look at Tom you live right why don't you yeah why don't you come with me take care Valerie Valerie we got to go oh you guys going to go now yeah was great party we had a great time thank you so much for coming oh look thanks for having me well you're very welcome I'll talk to you later real soon yeah yeah you're going to be all right driving home hey I never felt better [Music] at autopsy the average blood alcohol level of fatally injured drivers is. 13% you don't have to be drunk to be a seriously impaired driver