Bell Ringer Open your student workbook to page 54. Under the heading titled Journal Entry, write 5 things you know about alcohol. YOU WILL HAVE A QUIZ OVER THIS LESSON TOMORROW!

Unit 5: Tobacco, Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention Lesson 6: Alcohol: Get the Facts

Healthy Behavior Outcomes Avoid the use of alcohol. Avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Avoid riding in a motor vehicle with a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

About Alcohol… Alcohol is a drug that affects people physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Its use can also lead to legal consequences. .

Alcohol and Driving Because driving a car takes so much concentration and skill, drivers need to constantly stay alert, focused and able to make quick decisions. Alcohol seriously compromises a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who has been drinking is not able to judge distance and speed well or look ahead to avoid a crash. Alcohol also slows down a person’s reflexes and response time.

Answer on pg 20 for 1. What effects of alcohol make it risky for people to drive after drinking? What is the risk of riding in a car with a driver who has been drinking alcohol or using drugs?

Why Some Teens May Drink Teens may drink in many of the same situations or for many of the same reasons you brainstormed at the beginning of class –to celebrate, change the way they feel, feel less shy in social situations, or escape their problems. They may use alcohol to feel like part of the group or because of social pressure to drink. When teens think more people their age drink alcohol than actually do, it can add to this pressure.

Answer on pg 20 for 2. Why do you think teens choose to drink? How could perceived norms – what people believe about other people’s behaviors – around drinking, affect a teen’s choice about alcohol use?

Binge Drinking A disturbing norm found by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey is that nearly 22 % of those students who drink had 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours on at least 1 day during the past 30 days. This fits the definition of binge drinking, or drinking a dangerous amount of alcohol in a short time.

Answer on pg 20 for 3. What is Binge Drinking?

Binge Drinking is Dangerous A person’s body needs time to process alcohol. Size, weight, and gender all affect how fast this can happen. When a person binge drinks, they ingest more alcohol than the body can handle at one time. This can lead to rapid intoxication, vomiting or passing out, blackouts, and developing a tolerance for alcohol. A blackout is when a person cannot remember what happened when they were drinking.

Binge Drinking is Dangerous The ratio of alcohol to blood in the bloodstream is measured in terms of blood alcohol level, or BAL. The more alcohol the body absorbs, the higher the person’s BAL and the more intoxicated or drunk they become. BAL is measured in tenths of a percent, and even a small rise affects people.

Binge Drinking is Dangerous .02%: At as little as .02% BAL – or two-tenths of a percent – reaction time is impaired. .04%: The person develops a buzz from drinking. .06%: The effects of drinking alcohol change. Good feelings become less positive, and negative effects become more negative. .08%: Coordination and judgement are impaired. This is considered legally drunk for a person who is driving. .10%: As BAL rises over .10%, the person is at high risk of injuries or blackouts. .25%: If BAL reaches .25% or higher, the person is at risk of alcohol overdose. .40%: A BAL of .40% is fatal for most people.

Answer on pg 20 for 4. Why is binge drinking dangerous?

Consequences Under the influence of alcohol, young people have poorer judgement, are clumsier and become less inhibited. Alcohol use may lead teens to make poor decisions in social situations and put themselves in danger of physical injury, social embarrassment, legal problems and violence, including sexual assault.

Answer on pg 20 for 5. What do you think are the most serious consequences of alcohol use for teens who drink and why? Which of these consequences would have the biggest impact on your own life?

Benefits of staying away from alcohol Keeping a clear head, making smart choices, protecting their physical health and social reputations, and avoiding the risks that come from driving under the influence or riding with an intoxicated driver are all good reasons teens choose to be alcohol free. Over time, avoiding alcohol use can help teens avoid future health problems, legal problems and possible addiction.

Answer on pg 20 for 6. What do you think the biggest benefit of being alcohol free is for teens in the short term? What do you think the biggest benefit of being alcohol free is for teens in the long term?

Answer at the bottom of pg 20. What is 1 way alcohol use could negatively affect your life?