Alcohol & DRUGS

Depressants Depressants slow down the activity of the brain and nervous system, slowing down the communication between the two. For medical purposes they can calm nerves, relax muscles and useful for sleeping disorders such as insomnia. Alcohol Cannabis GHB Inhalants Heroin Morphine Codeine Methadone

Stimulants Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the brain and central nervous system, speeding up communication between the two. They usually increase alertness and physical activity. Ecstasy Speed Methamphetamine Amphetamines Crystal Methamphetamine Cocaine Crack Cocaine

Hallucinogens Hallucinogens interfere with the brain and central nervous system in a way that results in radical distortions of a user’s perception of reality. Profound images, sounds and sensations will be experienced, but they will not actually exist. These are vivid hallucinations. LSD Shrooms PCP (Phencyclidine) Ketamine

Binge Drinking Binge drinking: Four or more drinks for a female and five or more drinks for a male at one sitting Chronic drinking: Daily or almost daily alcohol consumption (60 drinks per month)

Dangers of Binge Drinking Unintentional injuries (e.g. car crash, falls, burns, drowning). Intentional injuries (e.g. firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence). Alcohol poisoning Many high school and college students die from alcohol poisoning due to binge drinking on the weekends STI’s/Unplanned sex/or Unintended pregnancy Could lead to drug use High blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Liver Disease

Legal Age & Legal Limit 21!!!! Below .08 BAC

UNDERSTANDING HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BODY Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels from the stomach to the brain, where it quickly produces its effects, slowing the action of nerve cells. Approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach. Most of the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine. Alcohol is also carried by the bloodstream to the liver, which eliminates the alcohol from the blood through a process called “metabolizing,” where it is converted to a nontoxic substance. The liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time, leaving the excess circulating throughout the body. Thus the intensity of the effect on the body is directly related to the amount consumed. When the amount of alcohol in the blood exceeds a certain level, the respiratory (breathing) system slows down markedly, and can cause a coma or death, because oxygen no longer reaches the brain.

Dependence: 5 symptoms Craving: a strong need, or compulsion, to drink.  Loss of control: the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: happens because the brain and body adapt to having a drug or alcohol for a period of time Withdrawal Symptom: the unpleasant physical reaction that accompanies the process of ceasing to take an addictive drug/alcohol Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get high.

Prevalence in 8th graders: 51.7% have tried alcohol  43.1% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year  25.1% have been drunk  15.2% have had 1 or more binge drinking episodes Prevalence in 10th graders:  70.6% have tried alcohol 63.7% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year  48.9% have been drunk  25.6% have had 1 or more binge drinking episodes  1.9% have been daily drinking for at least 1 month at some point in their lives Prevalence in 12th graders:  80% have tried alcohol  73.8% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year  62.3% have been drunk  30.8% binge drank in the past 2 weeks  3.6% use alcohol daily

STATISTICS As kids get older, they drink more. 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. Alcohol use remains extremely widespread among today’s teenagers. Nearly three quarters of students (72%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school, and more than a third (37%) have done so by eighth grade. Death – Over 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.

Short-term Effects Upset stomach Headaches Breathing difficulties Distorted vision and hearing  Impaired judgment  Decreased perception and coordination  Unconsciousness  Anemia (loss of red blood cells)  Coma Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence) Increased blood pressure Anxiety/restlessness Lower inhibition Mental confusion Memory loss Death from respiratory arrest Slurred speech Drowsiness Vomiting  Diarrhea

Long-term Effects Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning  Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity  Increased family problems, broken relationships  Alcohol poisoning  High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases  Liver disease  Nerve damage  Sexual problems  Permanent damage to the brain  Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by amnesia, apathy and disorientation  Ulcers  Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls)  Malnutrition  Cancer of the mouth and throat

Healthy Liver Alcoholic Liver

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? When mother drinks, baby drinks Alcohol disrupts brain development There may also be some developmental delays, poor coordination, hyperactivity and abnormal facial features. The child’s IQ could also be lower. There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy; therefore, no alcohol consumption is recommended 4,000-12,000 infants per year in US