Chapter 21: Alcohol

Big Ideas:  Alcohol use can harm your body and your brain and cause you to make poor decisions.  Choosing not to use alcohol protects you from dangerous health consequences  Problem drinking and alcoholism harm both the drinkers and the people around them Relevant Vocabulary: Ethanol Fermentation Depressant Intoxication Binge drinking Alcohol poisoning Psychological dependence Physiological dependence Alcohol abuse Alcoholism Blood alcohol concentration Fetal alcohol syndrome Alcoholic Recovery Sobriety

Facts about Alcohol  About 41% of students have consumed alcohol by 8 th grade  About 75% of students have consumed alcohol by the time they graduate from high school  More than 50% of 12 th graders say they have been drunk at least once  About 6% of youth ages are heavy drinkers.

Alcohol is an addictive drug  Use during teen years effects brain development  Ethanol- the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages, is a powerful and addictive drug. It can be produced by fermenting fruits, vegetable, and grains or synthetically. Short term effects of Alcohol Depressant and slows the central nervous system Slows reaction time Impairs vision Diminishes judgment Intoxication- a state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced. Stays in the person’s system until the liver can metabolize it (break it down)

Factors that effect a person’s level of intoxication  Amount: The more alcohol consumed in a specific period of time, the higher a person’s BAC will be (shooters, drinking games, etc. will heighten a person’s BAC).  Rate: Alcohol is absorbed very quickly into the body, it takes the body approximately one hour per standard drink to metabolize.  Size and Body Build: The larger and more muscular people are, the less effect alcohol will have on their BAC. Fat cells do not absorb alcohol very well.  Gender and Age: Because of size and build, women are more susceptible to alcohol. Because of biological differences, a woman will also become impaired quicker than a man the same size who drinks the same amount of alcohol.  Food: Can be deceiving. Food will not prevent the absorption of alcohol, but it will slow it down. Customers may drink more than they intended because they do not feel the effects as quickly.  Other Substances: Prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, and illegal drugs can enhance the effect of alcohol  Experience: People often learn to disguise the more apparent signs of intoxication. However, their central nervous system is still affected by the alcohol they have consumed  Tolerance: The way the body adapts to the repeated presence of a drug, meaning that higher doses are needed to maintain the same effect.  Setting or Atmosphere: the lighting, décor, music, type of clientele, and seating pattern, will affect a customer’s behavior and consumption of alcohol.

Changes to the Brain  Pathways and connections necessary for learning may be permanently damaged  Thought processes are disorganized and memory/concentration are diluted  Judgment and coordination are altered. Movement, speech, and vision may be impaired  May increase the risk of stroke in young people Changes to Cardiovascular system  Can increase heart rate and blood pressure. High levels may cause the opposite effect decreasing heart rate and blood pressure. Rhythm becomes irregular and body temperature drops Liver and Kidney issues  Liver becomes inflamed and scarred. Kidney activity is increased and may lead to dehydration Digestive System concerns:  Increase in stomach acid and may cause nausea and vomiting Pancreas problems:  Pancreatitis accompanied by acute/severe pain. Alcohol disrupts the break down of nutrients

Alcohol and Drug Interactions: Absorption of drug or alcohol is slower increasing the amount of time it is in the body Alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of medications, and increase the effectiveness of others Enzymes in the body can change some medications into chemicals that can damage the liver or other organs Long term effects of Alcohol  Damage to brain cells and reduction in brain size  Increase in blood pressure, may lead to heart attack or stroke  Buildup of fat cells in the liver, may lead to cell death  Damage to the digestive lining of the stomach causing ulcers and stomach cancer  Destruction of the pancreas If a person stops using alcohol some of the physical effects can be reversed over time. Negative effects may also include damage to relationships with family and friends, work production may decrease along with professional relationships and reputations.

Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning  Drink in large amounts during one session  Sometimes done on a bet/dare/game  Alcohol poisoning – a severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose.  Because alcohol is a depressant on the body’s organs, involuntary actions, such as breathing and gag reflex may be impaired  Alcohol is also a stomach irritant Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning Mental confusion and stupor Coma and an inability to be roused Vomiting and seizures Slow respiration- 10 seconds between breaths or less than 8 per minute Irregular heartbeat Hypothermia or low body temperature- pale or bluish skin color If you suspect alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately

Myths and Reality Myth: Beer or wine won’t get you drunk as fast as hard liquor Fact: The amount of alcohol consumed, not the type of drink, makes a person drunk. A can of beer, a 4 ounce glass of wine, or a mixed drink all contain about the same amount of alcohol. Myth: Drinking alcohol warms the body Fact: While drinking alcohol can make the drinker’s skin feel warm, blood vessels in the skin expand and actually cause the body to lose heat. Outside on a cold day, this can result in hypothermia.

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Choosing to live Alcohol Free Several Factors influence teen alcohol use and anyone who drinks alcohol increases the risk of negative consequences.  Psychological dependence- a condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed to feel good or function normally.  Physiological dependence- a condition in which the user has a chemical need for the drug. Factors that Influence Alcohol Use  peer pressure  Family  Media messages

Risks of Alcohol Use The Law  Illegal under the age of 21  Arrest/conviction can affect future  Limit college/financial aid opportunities  Limit employment options  Damage reputation/ loss of trust by friends and family Violence  Fights more likely  Consequence of school or police discipline  More likely to be victims  Perpetrators of violent crimes like rape, aggravated assault, and robbery Sexual Activity  Lowers inhibition, may compromise values  More likely to be sexually active at younger age  Engage in unprotected sex  2x more likely to contract an STI Family  25% of all youth exposed to alcohol abuse (excessive use of alcohol) within the family  High risk of neglect, abuse or social isolation  High risk of economic hardship  High risk of personal use  High risk of mental illness or physical problems School  Most schools have zero tolerance  Ineligible for school activities or graduation  Suspension/expulsion  College opportunities may be limited

Benefits of Living Alcohol Free Maintaining a Healthy Body Establishing Healthy Relationships Making Healthy Decisions Avoiding Risky Behaviors Avoiding Illegal Activities Avoiding Violence Achieving Your Goals Saying “No” is much easier when you have a planned response “I don’t like the taste” “I don’t drink alcohol-besides, I’m heading home” “No thanks, I need to be in top shape for the game this week “I really can’t, my parents would be angry. We have an agreement” “I don’t want to risk getting kicked off the team” Plan alcohol free activities

Random Writing Prompt Exercise 15 minutes Choose any two words relevant to the Chapter and one random word. Create an essay/short story using the word in an appropriate manner.

The Impact of Alcohol Abuse Alcohol and Driving BAC- Blood Alcohol Content- the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage. Any amount of alcohol in the blood can cause the following:  Slow reflexes  Reduced ability to judge distances and speeds  Increase in risk taking behaviors  Reduced concentration and increased forgetfulness. Driving while intoxicated (DWI or DUI)  BAC level of.08% charged with drunk driving  Injuries/death of driver or others  Arrest, jail time, court appearances, and fines/bail, police record, and lawsuits  Severely restricted driving privileges and/or immediate confiscation of license  Higher auto insurance

Alcohol and Pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)-refers to a group of alcohol related birth defects that include physical and mental problems. Effects can be severe and lasting.  Small head and deformities of face, hands, and feet  Heart, liver, and kidney defects  Vision and hearing problems  Central nervous system problems, developmental disabilities and poor coordination  Difficulties learning and short attention span  Hyperactivity, anxiety, and social withdrawal  Leading cause of preventable causes of mental retardation.

Symptoms of Alcoholism  Craving- feeling a strong need for alcohol to manage tension or stress, and a preoccupation with alcohol  Loss of Control- inability to limit alcohol consumption  Physical dependence- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety  Tolerance- A need to drink increasingly more alcohol in order to feel its effects. Alcoholics are addicts who are dependent on alcohol. Behaviors vary from aggressive and violent to withdrawn. Alcoholism does not have an age category, race, ethnic, or socioeconomic group. Evidence suggests that alcoholism is partially due to genetics. Children of alcoholics 4x more likely to become alcoholics

Stages of Alcoholism  Stage 1 Abuse -may begin with social drinking. A physical and psychological dependence develops. May experience memory loss and blackouts, starts to lie or make excuses to justify drinking.  Stage 2 Dependence - cannot stop drinking. Tries to hide problem. Performance at job, school, or home suffers.  Stage 3 Addiction- final stage of alcoholism, the liver may be already damaged. If person stopped drinking they would experience withdrawal symptoms Resources and Programs to assist Al-Anon/Alateen Alcoholics Anonymous Mothers Against Drunk Driving Nation Association for Children of Alcoholics National Drug and Alcohol treatment Referral Routing Students Against Drunk Driving SAMSHA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug

Writing Exercise

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