Teens and Alcohol

Statistics Alcohol is the oldest and most widely used psychoactive drug and is legal in most countries. The younger you are when you start drinking-the more likely you are to have a problem with alcohol.

In the US…. About ¾ of the 6 million college students had a drink and ½ of those students were considered heavy drinkers. College students spend more $ on alcohol than on books

Blacking out and passing out Passing out from alcohol is when an individual loses consciousness due to a dangerously high blood alcohol concentration.    Alcohol use leading to passing out could also lead to breathing less than 8 times per minute, uncontrollable vomiting, bluish or pale skin, confusion, seizures, or uneven breathing

Worldwide last year…. Over 2 million people died due to alcohol Approximately 10% of all diseases and injuries were due to alcohol

What is a standard drink?

Absorption Partially absorbed through the stomach Men and women process alcohol differently-women absorb 30% more and feel the effects faster and more intensely. During menstruation rate of metabolism changes

Absorption factors… Body weight Body chemistry Emotional state Outside temperature Drinking on an empty stomach

Underage Drinking   By age 15, half of teens have had at least one drink. By age 18, more than 70% of teens have had at least one drink. Young people drink less often than adults, but when they do drink, they drink more than adults. On average, young people have about 5 drinks on a single occasion, which can be considered binge drinking.

Hangovers.. A withdrawal syndrome-nausea, vomiting, headache, thirst, dizziness, mood disturbances, cotton mouth and a general feeling of depression.

Unfortunately… From 25%-30% of all US hospital admissions were due to direct or indirect medical complications from alcohol More than ½ of the rapes that occurred involved alcohol Alcohol was a factor in 40% of all violent crimes

What factors make a difference? HOW MUCH AND HOW OFTEN YOU DRINK – The more you drink, the more vulnerable your brain is. YOUR GENETIC BACKGROUND AND FAMILY HISTORY OF ALCOHOLISM – Certain ethnic populations can have stronger reactions to alcohol, and children of alcoholics are more likely to become alcoholics themselves. YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH – If you have liver or nutrition problems, the effects of alcohol will take longer to wear off.

Heavy Boozing- Physical effects-slurring, staggering, loss of balance and mental confusion. Alcohol poisoning-passing out, coma and death. Vomit can be aspirated or swallowed. Also, snoring and bed wetting. Blackouts-acting normally but can’t remember that was said or done-often an early sign of alcoholism.

Risks include: Death – 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning. Serious injuries – More than 190,000 people under age 21 visited an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries in 2008 alone. Impaired judgment – Drinking can cause kids to make poor decisions, which can then result in risky behavior like drinking and driving, sexual activity, or violence. Increased risk for physical and sexual assault.

A Alcohol Use in the United States: Prevalence of Drinking: In 2013, 86.8 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime; 70.7 percent reported that they drank in the past year; 56.4 percent reported that they drank in the past month.1 Prevalence of Binge Drinking and Heavy Drinking: In 2013, 24.6 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month; 6.8 percent reported that they engaged in heavy drinking in the past month.2