As an alcohol server, you will need to know how alcohol effects the body. As alcohol travels through the body, a customer will begin to show the effects of alcohol in various ways. The second after your first drink of alcohol, the alcohol races through your organs. The effects of alcohol on your body depends on its concentration in the blood (BAC). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuseand Alcoholism, 15.1 million adults ages 18 and older has alcohol use disorder in the United States.
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.Stomach
Alcohol passes quickly through the stomach. Unlike foods, the effects of alcohol can be felt immediately. Food required time in order to break down and absorb nutrients which is why food can slow down absorption time. Alcohol dehydrogenase begins to breakdown alcohol in the stomach.
Small Intestine
Alcohol goes through the wall of the small intestine almost immediately. Alcohol causes irritation of the lining of the intestinal tract. Alcohol can also impair small intestine’s ability to process nutrients and vitamins. As you can see, excessive alcohol consumption could easily result in nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
Blood Stream
Alcohol is able to travel in the blood to all parts of the body. Alcohol will keep on circulation through the body until it is broken down and eliminated. Once alcohol is in the blood stream, a person will begin to feel short term effects such as: slurred speck, drowsiness, vomiting, breathing difficulties, impaired judgement, decreased coordination, and could possible black out. All effects are based on the blood alcohol content (BAC). BAC is determined by how quickly alcohol is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. BAC is influence by rate of drinking, food consumption, and the type of alcohol. Genetic factors may also influence BAC.
Brain
Too much alcohol can actually shrink your brain. When alcohol reaches your brain, it depresses certain areas of the brain. As alcohol consumption increases, the alcohol will begin attacking the brain’s control centers. The following areas are attacked.
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Judgement, Inhibitions
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Reaction Time, Coordination
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Vision, Speech, Balance
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Walking, Standing, Consciousness
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Breathing, Heartbeat, Life
This has a big effect on the ability to think, learn, and remember things. It is harder to keep steady control of movement, and places individuals in a vulnerable state.
Liver
About 90 % of alcohol in your body is broken down in the liver at a rate of about ½ an ounce every hour. The liver accounts for being the main source for alcohol to be metabolized. The liver is in a vulnerable position and has higher possibility of being harmed by alcohol consumption. Did you know that over 90% regular drinkers develop fatty liver?
Lung and Kidneys
About 10% of alcohol is eliminated here in breath and urine. As noted before, high amounts of alcohol may cause breathing issue. Alcohol can even weaken your immune system.
Excessive alcohol causes havoc in your body. Alcohol has short-term and long-term effects. If you are an alcohol server, you should know how alcohol goes through the body and know the signs to look for when determining if a customer should have one more drink. You learn about this and much more in an accredited alcohol seller server course.
Ace Food Handler offers alcohol seller server certifications for professionals. The certificates offered are accredited. You can also take online courses and choose any language from English and Spanish. Contact them today to get your certificate at a low fee.