Question 1

What are some of the factors that may affect the blood alcohol level (BAL)?

Accepted Answer

Several factors can affect an individual's blood alcohol level (BAL), also known as blood alcohol concentration (BAC). These factors can influence how quickly alcohol is absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body, and they include:

1. **Amount and Rate of Consumption**: The more alcohol consumed and the faster it is consumed, the higher the BAL will be.

2. **Body Weight and Composition**: Generally, individuals with higher body weight have more body fluids to dilute the alcohol, leading to a lower BAL. Additionally, body composition matters; individuals with more muscle tissue tend to have lower BALs than those with higher fat content, as alcohol is not as soluble in fat.

3. **Gender**: Women often have higher BALs than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol due to differences in body composition, lower amounts of the enzyme dehydrogenase which helps metabolize alcohol, and hormonal variations.

4. **Food Intake**: Eating before or while drinking can slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, resulting in a lower BAL compared to drinking on an empty stomach.

5. **Metabolism**: Individual metabolic rates can affect how quickly alcohol is processed and eliminated. Some people naturally metabolize alcohol faster than others.

6. **Age**: As people age, their metabolism can slow down, and the ability to process alcohol may decrease, potentially leading to higher BALs.

7. **Medications**: Certain medications can interact with alcohol, potentially increasing its effects and leading to a higher BAL.

8. **Genetic Factors**: Genetic variations can influence how alcohol is metabolized, with some individuals having genetic traits that cause them to metabolize alcohol more slowly or quickly.

9. **Liver Health**: The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol. Liver diseases or compromised liver function can significantly affect the rate at which alcohol is metabolized, leading to higher BALs.

10. **Tolerance**: Regular drinkers may develop a tolerance to alcohol, meaning they might need more alcohol to feel its effects, but this does not necessarily correlate with a lower BAL.

11. **Hydration Status**: Dehydration can lead to a higher concentration of alcohol in the blood, while adequate hydration can help dilute the alcohol concentration.

12. **Type of Alcohol**: Different alcoholic beverages have varying concentrations of alcohol, which can affect the BAL. For example, hard liquors will typically raise BAL more quickly than beer or wine if consumed in the same time frame.

13. **Carbonation**: Carbonated alcoholic beverages like champagne or mixed drinks with soda can speed up the absorption of alcohol, leading to a quicker rise in BAL.

14. **Use of Other Drugs**: The concurrent use of other drugs, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit, can alter the effects of alcohol and potentially affect the BAL.

Understanding these factors is important for individuals to gauge their own limits and for legal and medical professionals when assessing cases of alcohol consumption and its effects. It's also crucial for safety, as a higher BAL can significantly impair cognitive and motor functions, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Question 2

The disinhibition effect induced by alcohol is caused by its effects on the activity of the region of the drinker's brain that is associated with inhibition of certain behaviors.

Accepted Answer

A) hippocampus 
B) reticular activating system (RAS) 
C) cortex 
D) occipital 
A) hippocampus 
B) reticular activating system (RAS) 
C) cortex 
D) occipital C

Question 3

In general, peak blood alcohol levels after the ingestion of single alcoholic drink are achieved in minutes.

Accepted Answer

A) 5-10 
B) 15-25 
C) 30-60 
D) 70-90 
A) 5-10 
B) 15-25 
C) 30-60 
D) 70-90 C

Question 4

Describe the rates of alcohol use in the world today, citing several statistics that provide information about the scope of this issue.

Accepted Answer

Alcohol use is a widespread issue around

Question 5

The first step in the biotransformation occurs when the stomach produces an enzyme called .This production is hindered when the individual takes aspirin.

Accepted Answer

A) alcohol dehydrogenase 
B) aldehyde dehydrogenase 
C) alcohol detranscriptase 
D) aldehyde detranscriptase 
A) alcohol dehydrogenase 
B) aldehyde dehydrogenase 
C) alcohol detranscriptase 
D) aldehyde detranscriptase

Question 6

One major consequence of distillation is

Accepted Answer

A) many of the vitamins and minerals found in the original wine are lost. 
B) you cannot achieve an alcohol level higher than 30 %. 
C) the flavor is enhanced, but only for products made from certain species of grapes. 
D) it is necessary to warm the resulting fluid to body temperature to serve it. 
A) many of the vitamins and minerals found in the original wine are lost. 
B) you cannot achieve an alcohol level higher than 30 %. 
C) the flavor is enhanced, but only for products made from certain species of grapes. 
D) it is necessary to warm the resulting fluid to body temperature to serve it.

Question 7

There are no significant long-term neurocognitive effects from alcohol because

Accepted Answer

A) it improves blood flow to the cortex of the brain. 
B) it decreases endorphin release in the cortex of the brain. 
C) it improves blood oxygenation levels and stimulates the production of free radicals in the brain. 
D) none of these are correct. 
A) it improves blood flow to the cortex of the brain. 
B) it decreases endorphin release in the cortex of the brain. 
C) it improves blood oxygenation levels and stimulates the production of free radicals in the brain. 
D) none of these are correct.

Question 8

Laura is at a bar with some friends, and has had a couple of drinks.She sees her anthropology professor across the bar, and decides it would be a good idea to walk up to him and tell him how cute he is.Laura's poor decision-making may be a result of the effect of alcohol.

Accepted Answer

A) disinhibition 
B) 1synnergistic 
C) cross-tolerance 
D) social learning 
A) disinhibition 
B) 1synnergistic 
C) cross-tolerance 
D) social learning

Question 9

Evidence suggests that beer made from ingredients other than fermented honey might date back to

Accepted Answer

A) 3,000 B.C.E. 
B) 5,000 B.C.E. 
C) 7,000 B.C.E. 
D) 9,000 B.C.E. 
A) 3,000 B.C.E. 
B) 5,000 B.C.E. 
C) 7,000 B.C.E. 
D) 9,000 B.C.E.

Question 10

According to your text, which of the following individuals would you normally expect to have the lowest blood alcohol level?

Accepted Answer

A) A 160-pound man who consumed 14 standard drinks over a 3 hour span of time 
B) A 160-pound man who consumed 8 stand drinks over a 3 hour span of time 
C) A 160-pound man who consumed 4 standard drinks over a 3 hour span of time. 
D) A 180-pound man who consumed 16 standard drinks over a 3 hour span of time. 
A) A 160-pound man who consumed 14 standard drinks over a 3 hour span of time 
B) A 160-pound man who consumed 8 stand drinks over a 3 hour span of time 
C) A 160-pound man who consumed 4 standard drinks over a 3 hour span of time. 
D) A 180-pound man who consumed 16 standard drinks over a 3 hour span of time.

Question 11

The most popular alcohol-containing beverage in the United States is

Accepted Answer

A) beer. 
B) wine. 
C) whiskey. 
D) rum. 
A) beer. 
B) wine. 
C) whiskey. 
D) rum.

Question 12

As a general rule, the can biotransform alcohol at the rate of one 12-ounce can of beer, four ounces of wine, or one standard mixed drink per hour.

Accepted Answer

A) duodenum 
B) pancreas 
C) liver 
D) glutamate 
A) duodenum 
B) pancreas 
C) liver 
D) glutamate

Question 13

Prohibition in the United States could be described as a social experiment.

Accepted Answer

A) failed 
B) successful 
C) primitive 
D) neutral 
A) failed 
B) successful 
C) primitive 
D) neutral

Question 14

Currently, scientists believe that alcohol is a "dirty" compound.This means

Accepted Answer

A) it shows a preference for a specific receptor site. 
B) it decreases the effects of GABA. 
C) it gets contaminated during the fermentation process. 
D) it alters the action of various neurotransmitters and interferes with the action of messenger molecules within the neuron itself. 
A) it shows a preference for a specific receptor site. 
B) it decreases the effects of GABA. 
C) it gets contaminated during the fermentation process. 
D) it alters the action of various neurotransmitters and interferes with the action of messenger molecules within the neuron itself.

Question 15

Explain what is meant when alcohol is described as a "dirty" compound.

Accepted Answer

When alcohol is described as a "dirty" c

Question 16

Historical evidence suggests that the process of distillation emerged

Accepted Answer

A) in 800 A.D. 
B) in 8,000 B.C.E. 
C) 800 years ago. 
D) 1,800 years ago. 
A) in 800 A.D. 
B) in 8,000 B.C.E. 
C) 800 years ago. 
D) 1,800 years ago.

Question 17

According to your text, the alcohol-related "hangover"

Accepted Answer

A) is sufficient to cause the drinker's death. 
B) is self-limiting for those drinkers who ingested less than 8 cans of beer or mixed drinks. 
C) can be avoided if the drinker ingests food prior to drinking. 
D) is generally self-limiting, although very unpleasant. 
A) is sufficient to cause the drinker's death. 
B) is self-limiting for those drinkers who ingested less than 8 cans of beer or mixed drinks. 
C) can be avoided if the drinker ingests food prior to drinking. 
D) is generally self-limiting, although very unpleasant.

Question 18

The sense of euphoria and well-being that many drinkers report is the result of

Accepted Answer

A) the release of opioid peptides in the peripheral regions of the body, which eventually reach the brain's pleasure center and accounts for alcohol's slow onset of action. 
B) alcohol's ability to stimulate the release of alcohol dehydrogenase in the stomach. 
C) alcohol's ability to stimulate the brain's reward system. 
D) the release of glucose by the liver, directly causing the reward cascade in the brain. 
A) the release of opioid peptides in the peripheral regions of the body, which eventually reach the brain's pleasure center and accounts for alcohol's slow onset of action. 
B) alcohol's ability to stimulate the release of alcohol dehydrogenase in the stomach. 
C) alcohol's ability to stimulate the brain's reward system. 
D) the release of glucose by the liver, directly causing the reward cascade in the brain.

Question 19

All of the following are end products of the alcohol biotransformation process EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A) aldehyde dehydrogenase. 
B) fatty acids. 
C) carbon dioxide. 
D) water. 
A) aldehyde dehydrogenase. 
B) fatty acids. 
C) carbon dioxide. 
D) water.

Question 20

As a physician on duty in the emergency room, you could expect

Accepted Answer

A) alcohol ingestion would make drinkers so relaxed that they would suffer fewer head injuries than nondrinkers in similar automobile accidents. 
B) about half of the patients you see who have a traumatic injury will have been drinking immediately prior to the incident. 
C) improved survival rates for drinkers, who would be more likely to be thrown from a vehicle during an accident. 
D) no relationship between the individual's alcohol use status and his or her having suffered a traumatic injury of some kind. 
A) alcohol ingestion would make drinkers so relaxed that they would suffer fewer head injuries than nondrinkers in similar automobile accidents. 
B) about half of the patients you see who have a traumatic injury will have been drinking immediately prior to the incident. 
C) improved survival rates for drinkers, who would be more likely to be thrown from a vehicle during an accident. 
D) no relationship between the individual's alcohol use status and his or her having suffered a traumatic injury of some kind.

Exam 4: An Introduction to Alcohol: Mans Oldest Recreational Chemical

What are some of the factors that may affect the blood alcohol level (BAL)?

The disinhibition effect induced by alcohol is caused by its effects on the activity of the region of the drinker's brain that is associated with inhibition of certain behaviors.

In general, peak blood alcohol levels after the ingestion of single alcoholic drink are achieved in minutes.

Describe the rates of alcohol use in the world today, citing several statistics that provide information about the scope of this issue.

The first step in the biotransformation occurs when the stomach produces an enzyme called .This production is hindered when the individual takes aspirin.

One major consequence of distillation is

There are no significant long-term neurocognitive effects from alcohol because

Laura is at a bar with some friends, and has had a couple of drinks.She sees her anthropology professor across the bar, and decides it would be a good idea to walk up to him and tell him how cute he is.Laura's poor decision-making may be a result of the effect of alcohol.

Evidence suggests that beer made from ingredients other than fermented honey might date back to

According to your text, which of the following individuals would you normally expect to have the lowest blood alcohol level?

The most popular alcohol-containing beverage in the United States is

As a general rule, the can biotransform alcohol at the rate of one 12-ounce can of beer, four ounces of wine, or one standard mixed drink per hour.

Prohibition in the United States could be described as a social experiment.

Currently, scientists believe that alcohol is a "dirty" compound.This means

Explain what is meant when alcohol is described as a "dirty" compound.

Historical evidence suggests that the process of distillation emerged

According to your text, the alcohol-related "hangover"

The sense of euphoria and well-being that many drinkers report is the result of

All of the following are end products of the alcohol biotransformation process EXCEPT

As a physician on duty in the emergency room, you could expect

Why Worry About Substance Misuse or Substance Use Disorders

The Nature of the Beast

A Brief Introduction to the Science of Pharmacology

The Alcohol Use Disorders

Misuse of Barbiturates and Barbiturate-Like Compounds

Misuse of Benzodiazepines and Similar Agents

Misuse of Central Nervous System Stimulants and Stimulant Use Disorders

Cocaine Misuse and Cocaine Use Disorder

Marijuana Misuse and Cannabis Use Disorder

Opioid Use and Misuse

Hallucinogen Misuse

Misuse of Inhalants and Aerosols

The Under-Recognized Problem of Steroid Misuse

Tobacco Products and Tobacco Use Disorder

Over the Counter Analgesics

Chemicals and the Neonate

Gender and Substance Use Disorders

Hidden Faces of Substance Use Disorders

Substance Misuse by Children and Adolescents

Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders in College Students

Substance Use Disorders and the Older Adult

Substance Use Disorders and the Family

Codependency and Enabling

The Client With Co-Occurring Disorders: Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness

The Biopsychosocial Model of the Substance Use Disorders

The Substance Use Disorders As a Disease of the Human Spirit

The Assessment of Suspected Substance Use Disorders

Intervention

Treatment Settings

Treatment Formats

The Process of Treatment

Pharmacological Interventions for Substance Use Disorders

Relapse and Other Problems Frequently Encountered in Substance Rehabilitation

Support Groups to Promote and Sustain Recovery

Substance Use Disorders and Infectious Disease

The Relationship Between Drugs and Crime

The Debate Over Legalization

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