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7: Alcohol and Tobacco

  • Page ID
    73814
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    Learning Outcomes

    By the end of this chapter you will be able to:

    • Define what is meant by a drink.
    • Explain what excessive alcohol consumption entails.
    • Estimate Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC).
    • Describe short term and long term effects of alcohol consumption.
    • Explain the harmful effects of Nicotine.
    • Describe the short term and long term effects of tobacco use.

    How much alcohol or tobacco is safe for you to consume?

    How does alcohol or tobacco impact physical and emotional health?

    How many people suffer from diseases causes by alcohol and tobacco?

    What are steps you can take to reduce or eliminate your use of alcohol and tobacco?

    Why is it important for your health to understand the use of alcohol and tobacco? Because each year, 11 million deaths are attributed to the use of tobacco (8 million deaths) or alcohol (3 million deaths). Using tobacco or alcohol are a lifestyle choice that increases your risk of death. It is important for you to be aware of the risks.

    • 7.1: The Use of Alcohol
      This page defines a standard drink in the U.S. as containing 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, detailing equivalent servings of beer, wine, and spirits. It explains Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and its effects, stating that a BAC over 0.08% signifies intoxication, impacting legal driving limits. Various factors influencing BAC, like gender and body composition, are also covered. Finally, the page offers alcohol consumption guidelines, advocating for moderation and caution in certain populations.
    • 7.2: Health Effects of Alcohol Abuse
      This page discusses the negative health impacts of excessive alcohol consumption, highlighting its detrimental effects on the brain, cardiovascular system, liver, pancreas, cancer risk, and immune system. It notes that alcohol use can lead to mood shifts, memory issues, heart disease, liver diseases like fatty liver and cirrhosis, heightened cancer risks, and increased susceptibility to infections and risky behaviors.
    • 7.3: Rethinking Drinking
      This page discusses the caloric content of alcohol, its impact on dietary needs, and the increased risks associated with higher tolerance. It highlights women's vulnerability to alcohol-related problems and the inconclusive effects of moderate drinking on heart health. Emphasizing low-risk drinking for liver protection, it also mentions the availability of support and therapies for reducing or quitting alcohol consumption.
    • 7.4: Tobacco Use
      This page covers the history and health risks of tobacco use, noting the increase in smoking in the early 20th century and the landmark 1964 Surgeon General’s Report that linked smoking to severe health issues, triggering regulatory actions. It details the harmful effects of both direct and secondhand smoke on health, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as the addictive nature of nicotine.
    • 7.5: Quitting Smoking
      This page highlights the substantial health benefits of quitting smoking, such as lowered risks of cancer, heart disease, and stroke, with positive effects noticed soon after cessation. Quitting before age 40 significantly reduces the risk of premature death. It discusses various cessation aids, including behavioral interventions and nicotine replacement therapies, and emphasizes the importance of quitting for cancer patients to improve treatment outcomes.
    • 7.6: End-of-Chapter Material
      This page focuses on the health risks posed by alcohol and tobacco use. It explains standard drink sizes and the significance of tracking Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), advocating against binge and heavy drinking. Additionally, it highlights nicotine as the main addictive component in tobacco and warns about the hazards of secondhand smoke. The chapter underlines the necessity for awareness of the harmful effects these substances have on health.


    This page titled 7: Alcohol and Tobacco is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kelly Falcone via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.