Lesson 1Short-term physiological effects: central nervous system, motor function, sleep, and acute intoxicationLooks at immediate effects of alcohol on the brain, behaviour, and body. Covers dose-related brain slowdown, movement and thinking problems, sleep disturbance, severe intoxication states, and factors influencing quick responses.
Dose-response and blood alcohol levelsCNS depression and neurochemical changesMotor incoordination and reaction timeEffects on sleep architecture and qualityClinical features of acute intoxicationRisk factors for accidents and injuriesLesson 2Long-term effects on mental health: depression, anxiety, suicidality, and interaction with psychiatric medicationsExamines how ongoing alcohol use impacts mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and relapse. Discusses two-way links, diagnosis difficulties, and effects with mental health drugs and treatments.
Alcohol and depressive disordersAnxiety, panic, and alcohol useSuicidal ideation and attempt riskDiagnostic overlap and masking effectsInteractions with antidepressants and mood stabilizersIntegrated treatment and relapse preventionLesson 3Long-term organ-specific effects: brain (cognitive impairment, Wernicke-Korsakoff), neuroadaptation and dependenceFocuses on lasting alcohol damage to the brain, like thinking decline, Wernicke-Korsakoff condition, and brain changes. Explains body adaptation, tolerance, dependence, and connections to checks and prevention.
Cognitive impairment and dementia riskThiamine deficiency and Wernicke-KorsakoffStructural and functional brain changesMechanisms of tolerance and sensitizationNeural circuits of dependence and cravingScreening and neurocognitive assessmentLesson 4Metabolism and elimination: alcohol dehydrogenase, CYP2E1, acetaldehyde, first-pass metabolism, elimination kineticsExplains body enzymes that process ethanol, including alcohol dehydrogenase, CYP2E1, and catalase. Covers acetaldehyde harm, stomach-first processing, steady removal rates, gene differences, and how illness or drugs change clearance.
Alcohol dehydrogenase pathwaysCYP2E1 induction and toxic byproductsAcetaldehyde formation and detoxificationFirst-pass metabolism and gut-liver axisZero-order kinetics and clinical implicationsGenetic polymorphisms affecting metabolismLesson 5Distribution of alcohol: blood alcohol concentration, body water, sex and age differencesDescribes how ethanol spreads in body fluids, blood alcohol levels, and influences of gender, age, body build, and pregnancy. Introduces Widmark ideas and effects on testing and dosing.
Volume of distribution and body waterWidmark formula and BAC estimationSex differences in BAC and effectsAge-related pharmacokinetic changesImpact of obesity and body compositionPregnancy and lactation considerationsLesson 6Interactions with common comorbidities and medications (antihypertensives, diabetes medications, psychotropics)Reviews alcohol clashes with common long-term illnesses and drugs like blood pressure meds, diabetes treatments, and mind-altering drugs. Covers body processing and effect interactions plus handling tips.
Effects on blood pressure and heart drugsInteractions with diabetes medicationsAlcohol and psychotropic drug synergyHepatic metabolism and drug levelsAlcohol in chronic pain and opioidsCounseling patients on safe useLesson 7Ethanol absorption: oral intake, gastric emptying, and factors affecting rateStudies ethanol uptake after drinking, covering stomach and gut stages. Discusses stomach emptying, food impact, drink strength, and other things changing absorption speed and peak blood levels.
Sites and mechanisms of ethanol absorptionRole of gastric emptying and motilityInfluence of food and meal compositionBeverage concentration and carbonationEffects of GI disease and surgeryPractical ways to slow absorptionLesson 8Alcohol withdrawal physiology and risk factors for severe withdrawal (delirium tremens, seizures)Outlines brain changes in alcohol withdrawal, from mild signs to severe shaking fits and fits. Reviews body adaptations, overactive nerves, risks for bad withdrawal, and sorting patient danger levels.
Neuroadaptation of GABA and glutamateAutonomic hyperactivity mechanismsClinical spectrum of withdrawal signsPathophysiology of seizures and DTsRisk factors for complicated withdrawalAssessment tools and risk stratificationLesson 9Long-term organ-specific effects: liver (steatosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis) and pathophysiologyLooks at how steady alcohol harms the liver, from fat buildup to swelling and scarring. Covers cell damage, scar formation, signs, and how amount, drinking pattern, and other illnesses raise risk.
Progression from steatosis to cirrhosisHepatocellular injury and oxidative stressInflammation, fibrosis, and stellate cellsClinical features and diagnostic evaluationImpact of nutrition, obesity, and viral hepatitisLesson 10Long-term organ-specific effects: cardiovascular system (hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia)Analyses lasting heart and vessel effects of alcohol, like high blood pressure, heart muscle weakness, and irregular beats. Reviews dose links, damage causes, signs, and advice for risk talks.
Blood pressure changes and mechanismsAlcoholic cardiomyopathy pathophysiologyArrhythmias, including atrial fibrillationInteractions with cardiovascular drugsReversibility with abstinence or reductionRisk communication and patient advice
