Lesson 1Short-term Physiological Effects: Central Nervous System, Motor Function, Sleep, and Acute IntoxicationThis lesson covers the immediate impacts of alcohol on the brain, behaviour, and body functions. It looks at how dosage affects brain slowdown, movement and thinking problems, sleep disturbances, sudden drunkenness states, and things that change short-term reactions.
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 MedicationsThis lesson explores how long-term alcohol use harms mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, suicide thoughts, and relapse. It discusses two-way links, diagnosis difficulties, and how it mixes 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 DependenceThis lesson focuses on lasting alcohol damage to the brain, like thinking decline, Wernicke-Korsakoff condition, and brain structure changes. It explains brain adjustments, tolerance, dependence, and ties to checks and prevention in local settings.
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 KineticsThis lesson details body enzymes that process ethanol, like alcohol dehydrogenase, CYP2E1, and catalase. It covers acetaldehyde harm, first-pass processing, zero-order speed, gene differences, and how illnesses and drugs affect removal.
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 DifferencesThis lesson explains how ethanol moves in body fluids, how blood alcohol levels are set, and how gender, age, body build, and pregnancy affect them. It introduces Widmark ideas and their use in tests 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)This lesson reviews alcohol mixes with common long-term illnesses and drugs, like blood pressure meds, diabetes treatments, and mind drugs. It discusses body and effect interactions and ways to manage them clinically.
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 RateThis lesson examines ethanol uptake after drinking, including stomach and small intestine stages. It covers stomach emptying, food effects, drink strength, and other factors changing uptake 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)This lesson describes alcohol withdrawal brain changes, from mild signs to delirium tremens and fits. It reviews brain adjustments, body overdrive, risks for bad withdrawal, and ways to check clinical risks.
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 PathophysiologyThis lesson explores chronic alcohol harm to the liver, from fat buildup to inflammation and scarring. It reviews cell damage, scar paths, signs, and how amount, drinking pattern, and other illnesses shape risks.
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)This lesson analyses long-term heart and blood vessel effects of alcohol, like high blood pressure, heart muscle weakness, and irregular beats. It reviews dose links, damage ways, 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
