Is alcohol use abused in Aitkin? By whom?

Why do some adults use alcohol? Believe it relaxes them Friends or spouse uses Habit Dependent on it Used to cope with negative feelings

Why do some kids use alcohol? Peer pressure Poor resistance skills Think it will make them popular or cool Lack of knowledge Hang out with people who use it Parents use

Why do most teens choose not to use alcohol? Effects on the body Illegal Against morals and values Don’t want to be ineligible for sports Responsible decision-making

Why is alcohol an inappropriate choice for teens? It’s illegal Must be 21 to drink Minor consumption laws Will go on your record Affects career options Can’t go into the military service Can’t get a job with the FBI or government agencies

Alcohol is physically unhealthy if over used

Cardiovascular disease Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Cancer Liver disorders Cardiovascular disease Fetal Alcohol Syndrome One of the leading causes of mental retardation Organ deficiencies Cancer Decreased immune system Decreased reaction time Decrease in athletic abilities Stomach ulcers

Affects relationships Acute and chronic alcohol consumption is associated with high rates of homicides, suicides, sexual assault and spouse and child abuse Impairs our ability to think clearly and make proper decisions

Affects academic performance Not motivated to do work Spend less time studying Forget about projects and assignments It has been found that students with high grades drink 3 times less than students with low grades

Drinking and Driving Blood Alcohol Level depends on many factors It is the percentage of alcohol circulating in the blood stream Effects begin around 0.04 % while death may occur @ .4%

The factors include: How much alcohol a person drinks How fast they drink What they weigh How much the person has eaten Presence of other drugs in the blood stream

How drinking affects driving Dulls senses Slows reaction time and interferes with coordination Blood vessels widen giving a false sense of warmth. Slows activity of brain cells. Impairs vision, perception, judgment, & reaction time

What should you do if someone who has been drinking offers you a ride? Say NO Call someone to get you Have someone walk you home Stay the night Call a cab

The law about drinking and driving There is no safe level of alcohol that a person can consume that will not impair performance. Legal age for buying and drinking alcohol in MN is 21 Not a drop law- any concentration for under 21 consumption may result in withdrawal of driving privileges for 30 days on first violation and 180 on second

If you are under 21 it is against the law for you to operate a car when you have consumed any amount of alcohol First time convicted of DUI fine up to $700 and or up to 90 days in jail or both. Also loss of driving privileges for one year.

What is society and government doing to control drug and alcohol abuse? Prevention approaches Making and passing laws about drugs and alcohol Local and state health agencies are increasingly active Providing after school programs for teens

What can I do to stay alcohol free? Choose friends who don’t use Become involved in school activities Make good, responsible decisions Be a positive role model through your actions Refuse peer pressure

Alcoholism A disease where people can’t control their desire for alcohol 5-10 million Americans are affected and 95 million are problem drinkers Shortens a person’s life by 12 years or more.

Why do people become Alcoholics? Family problems – a way to cope Psychological – they think their body needs the drug, low self-esteem Genetics It runs in families Physiological Excess consumption causes tolerance Addiction occurs

Physical dangers of Alcoholism Cirrhosis of the liver Direct damage to heart tissue Damage to inner lining of stomach Acute pancreatitis It gets inflamed and doesn’t do it’s job anymore

Where to find help AA- made up of former alcoholics. They admit they have a sickness and try to help others Al-Anon- Support group for family member and friends of people with Alcoholism Alateen- Support group for young people who are affected by drinking or other addictions Other agencies to get help- school, doctor, pastor, priest, and rabbi

In Conclusion Alcohol is a very dangerous substance I didn’t cover any positive sides of alcohol use because there aren’t any Alcohol abuse can damage your body and your life It affects your decision making, perceptions, and reactions, which all equal a bad combination.