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Inside Alcohol

Lesson Plan

Inside Alcohol Lesson Plan

By the end of this session, participants will identify three major body systems affected by alcohol and reflect on how this information informs their health decisions in recovery.

Understanding alcohol’s impact on the body builds awareness of real health risks, promotes informed choices, and strengthens commitment to long-term recovery.

Audience

Adult SUD group members

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive visuals, group quiz, and guided reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard and Markers, - Alcohol Body Impact Diagram, - Alcohol Effects Quiz, and - Alcohol Personal Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Objectives

5 minutes

  • Welcome participants and briefly describe the session purpose.
  • State the objective: identify body systems affected by alcohol and reflect on personal impacts.
  • Distribute the Alcohol Personal Reflection Worksheet and ask members to keep it handy.

Step 2

Body Systems Presentation

10 minutes

  • Display the Alcohol Body Impact Diagram.
  • Highlight key effects on:
    • Liver (metabolism, cirrhosis)
    • Brain (cognition, mood regulation)
    • Cardiovascular system (blood pressure, heart disease)
  • Encourage quick questions after each organ system.

Step 3

Quiz and Group Discussion

7 minutes

  • Hand out the Alcohol Effects Quiz.
  • Allow 3 minutes for individual completion.
  • Review answers collectively, writing correct responses on the whiteboard.
  • Discuss how each fact relates to participants’ experiences or recovery goals.

Step 4

Individual Reflection

5 minutes

  • Instruct participants to answer reflection prompts on the Alcohol Personal Reflection Worksheet:
    • Which effect surprised you most?
    • How might this knowledge influence your choices?
  • Circulate to offer support and clarify any points.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Assessment

3 minutes

  • Ask 1–2 volunteers to share a key takeaway or personal insight.
  • Conduct a brief verbal check: request naming two body systems and one alcohol effect.
  • Collect worksheets if appropriate or invite participants to keep them for further reflection.
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Slide Deck

Inside Alcohol: Impact on Your Body

A 30-minute overview for adult SUD group members

Learn → Discuss → Reflect

Welcome everyone. Introduce yourself and explain that over the next 30 minutes we'll learn how alcohol affects key body systems and use that knowledge to support recovery.

Session Objectives

By the end of this session, you will:
• Identify three major body systems affected by alcohol
• Understand key effects on each system
• Reflect on how this information guides your recovery choices

Read the objectives aloud, then ensure everyone understands what they will take away from this session.

Alcohol Body Impact Diagram

Refer to the diagram showing how alcohol travels through your body and affects:
• Liver
• Brain
• Cardiovascular system

Display the Alcohol Body Impact Diagram on screen or print. Point out the three main systems we’ll focus on.

System Spotlight: Liver

• Primary site of alcohol metabolism
• Overload leads to fat buildup (fatty liver)
• Long-term damage: inflammation → cirrhosis
• Impaired detoxification and nutrient storage

Highlight how the liver processes alcohol, the risk of fatty liver and cirrhosis. Invite quick questions.

System Spotlight: Brain

• Alters neurotransmitter balance (GABA, glutamate)
• Impacts cognition, memory formation
• Disrupts mood regulation → anxiety or depression
• Impairs judgment and impulse control

Explain alcohol’s effects on neurotransmitters, mood regulation, and decision-making. Ask if anyone has noticed these changes.

System Spotlight: Cardiovascular

• Raises blood pressure chronically
• Can cause cardiomyopathy (weak heart muscle)
• Increases risk of arrhythmias and stroke
• Contributes to high cholesterol and arterial damage

Describe how alcohol raises blood pressure, weakens heart muscle, and increases stroke risk. Take one quick question.

Quiz Time

Complete the Alcohol Effects Quiz:

  1. Which organ metabolizes most alcohol?
  2. Name one way alcohol affects the brain.
  3. List a cardiovascular risk of heavy drinking.

You have 3 minutes.

Hand out the Alcohol Effects Quiz. Give participants 3 minutes to complete it individually.

Quiz Discussion

Quiz Answers:

  1. Liver
  2. (Any brain effect: memory, mood, judgment)
  3. High blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias

Discuss how these facts relate to recovery goals.

Go through each question. Write correct answers on the whiteboard. Encourage participants to share how these facts resonate with their experiences.

Individual Reflection

On your worksheet, respond to:
• Which alcohol effect surprised you most?
• How might this knowledge influence your choices in recovery?

Distribute or direct participants to their Alcohol Personal Reflection Worksheet. Circulate and support as they write.

Wrap-Up & Assessment

• Share one key takeaway or personal insight.
• Name two body systems and one way alcohol affects them.

Thank you for your participation!

Invite 1–2 volunteers to share insights. Then verbally check understanding: ask for two body systems and one alcohol effect. Thank participants and collect worksheets if desired.

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Worksheet

Alcohol Personal Reflection Worksheet

Take a few moments to consider what you’ve learned about how alcohol affects your body systems. Then respond to the prompts below.

  1. Which effect of alcohol surprised you the most? Why?


  2. How might this new knowledge influence your health decisions or choices in your recovery journey?





Keep this worksheet for further reflection or share any insights with the group when prompted.

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Worksheet

Alcohol Effects Quiz

Please answer the following questions based on what we discussed in the session.

  1. Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol?


  2. Describe one way alcohol can affect brain function.


  3. Name one cardiovascular risk associated with heavy drinking.


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