Begin the discussion by asking: "Think of a 2-pound piece of meat, but it is rotten." What does it smell? Would you pay for it? Would you carry it with you all day? Why not? Inform participants that according to the information that will be presented today, there are people who chronically abuse alcohol and have at least one organ that resembles a piece of rotten meat inside their body. Add that many people believe that the only organ affected by alcohol is the liver. Ask participants: Do you know any alcohol-related diseases that damage the liver and other organs? What other organs are damaged because of chronic abuse of alcohol? Write their answers on the board. Tell them that according to WebMD, a website dedicated to providing medical information, the liver is the largest solid organ in the body, weighing approximately 3lbs. Ask participants if they know the functions of the liver. Provide some examples if not offered by the participants (article provides this information). Inform participants that we will discuss many of the questions in regard to the damage caused by alcohol abuse. Distribute a copy of the article "The Effects of Alcohol on Internal Organs" (Decide if you want to organize groups, so they can read a part of the article. If the group is small, you can ask volunteers to read aloud) After finishing the article, ask volunteers to comment on how the following organs are damaged: Lungs Stomach Heart Kidney Reproductive system Others Ask participants if they know of a family member or friend who is sick as a result of alcohol-abuse. Request them to share how it affects that individual's way of life and his/her family? |