Critical days a good time to remember the rules when it comes to consuming alcohol Published July 10, 2009 By Steve Serrette 72nd ABW Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The effect alcohol has on the body is consistently predictable regardless of the use pattern. Alcohol is a mood altering depressant drug. The reason alcohol can cause such extensive damage to the body is because it can and does go everywhere, as there is no body cell resistant to alcohol. The first stop is the stomach, where without food; alcohol is absorbed directly into the blood stream. In the majority of healthy people, blood circulates through the body in 90 seconds, thereby allowing alcohol to affect your brain and all other organs in those 90 seconds. The affects of alcohol on the body will vary according to the individual; their sex, their body make-up, the amount and type of alcohol consumed, the situation and the presence of food in the stomach. Food will actually slow the absorption of alcohol as will fruit juice and water. Vomiting is one of the body's defenses against an alcohol overdose, and occurs when you drink too much. Alcohol moves quickly to the brain and passes the blood-brain barrier, which normally keeps harmful substances away from the brain. In the brain, alcohol affects the neurons, causing judgment problems, coordination problems, and a host of other problems. Alcohol is a drug that must be changed into a non-harmful substance once in the bloodstream. To accomplish this alcohol goes to the liver for detoxification, or break down, by the alcohol-attacking enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Ten percent of the alcohol is eliminated through sweat, breath, and urine and eventually, the alcohol is broken down and otherwise excreted from the body. The liver detoxifies, or breaks down alcohol at a rate of one half an ounce per hour. However, some people cannot detoxify that much alcohol in an hour. Nothing will speed this rate. When the rate of alcohol consumed exceeds the liver's detoxification rate, the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream continues to increase, further impairing the brain, causing intoxication, coma, or possibly death. Working under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited. This means more than just not drinking on the job. Tests have shown that alcohol can still have an effect on your body up to 18 hours after you have stopped drinking. Alcohol use is a legitimate on-the-job safety issue - and not just an attempt to control off-the-clock lifestyle. What should you do about a co-worker who is drinking on the job? Should you ignore the situation or report it? Most people would ignore the situation because they do not want to cause problems on the job or do not want to get involved. People would prefer to avoid conflict at almost any cost, but look at it this way -- the drinker, no matter how nice a co-worker, is not doing you any favors. It's a fact that the drinker is less productive. Who has to pick up the slack? You do. It is a fact that the drinker is more likely to be involved in accidents. Who else is he or she placing at risk? You. Whatever you do, make sure you do something. Watch out for your co-worker as they may need help. If you don't, you may pay dearly for someone else's mistake -- be a Wingman. Alcohol is an equal opportunity troublemaker. Aside from obeying the law, here are a number of reasons that you should take drinking seriously. · Highway death and injury. · Drowning. · Violence and propensity to commit crimes. · Unwanted Pregnancy. · Sexually transmitted diseases. · Alcoholism. Did you know ? · Between 2 and 3 percent of the current American college population will die from alcohol related causes. · Drinking and driving is the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 17-24. · In the U.S., 70 people are killed daily in drunk driving accidents, that is roughly one person killed every 22 minutes. · 69 percent of all drownings are alcohol related. · One in every three suicides involves alcohol. · The average female college student spends $150 per year on alcohol. · The average male college student spends $300 per year on alcohol. · The average DUI arrest costs the charged person $3,000. · Alcohol plays a role in 50 percent of all arrests. · 75 percent of men and 50 percent of women involved in sexual assaults had been drinking prior to the assault. · The abuse of alcohol is present in 70 percent of all murders and other violent crimes. · 54 percent of alcoholics have an alcoholic parent. One out of three Americans don't drink -- and that's OK, too. Any person that has altered consciousness, slowed respirations, or cool, pale skin is experiencing acute alcohol intoxication (alcohol poisoning). This is a medical emergency and you must get help. Do not: ·Laugh, make fun of, or provoke the person ·Exercise the person ·Allow the person to drive a car or bicycle ·Give the person food, liquid, or drugs to sober them up ·Give the person a cold shower; the shock of the cold could cause unconsciousness Think before you act during these critical days of summer. And remember, the only thing that can sober a drunk is time.