Alcohol Chapter 6

Alcohol Alcohol is an addictive drug and using alcohol during teen years can affect brain development

Vocab to know Depressant – A drug that slows the central nervous system Using alcohol slows reaction time, impairs vision, and diminishes judgment. Intoxication - The state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance, and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced. Vary from person to person

Short term Effects of alcohol Brain Brain development – pathways and connections for learning may be permanently damaged Memory loss Judgment and control diminish Risk of stroke Vision blurred Speech slurred Coordination impaired Slower reflexes Kidney urine output increased, can lead to dehydration Stomach Increase stomach acid production Cause nausea and vomiting Liver toxic chemicals released as the liver metabolizes alcohol Heart Increase or decrease heart rate and blood pressure Irregular heart rhythm Body temperature drops Pancreas Pancreatitis Disruption of the absorption of nutrients

Long term effects of Alcohol Cardiovascular system Heart damage High blood pressure Brain Addiction Loss of brain function/ damage Digestive system Irritation of digestive lining Fatty liver – fat accumulates in liver cells Cirrhosis of the liver – liver tissue is replaces with useless scar tissue

Factors that influence Alcohol’s effect A smaller person feels the effect of the same amount of alcohol faster than a larger person does. Body Size Alcohol generally moves into the bloodstream faster in females. Gender Food in the stomach slows down the passage of alcohol into the bloodstream. Food If a person drinks alcohol faster than the liver can break it down, the person becomes intoxicated. Rate of Intake As the amount of alcohol consumed increases, the level of alcohol in the bloodstream rises. Amount Alcohol can interfere with the effects of medicines, and medicines can heighten the effects of alcohol. Medicine

Binge Drinking Binge drinking - Drinking five or more alcoholic drinks at one sitting Alcohol poisoning - A severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose Symptoms: mental confusion, vomiting, seizures, irregular heartbeat, slow respiration, low body temperature, coma, death

Factors influencing teen’s choices about alcohol use Peer pressure Family Media messages Early exposure Easily accessible Misinformed

Social Consequences It is ILLEGAL for anyone under the age of 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcohol More likely to become violent or involved in crimes Alcohol use is linked to deaths from traffic collisions, drowning, fire, suicide, and homicide. More likely to become sexually active at an earlier age, engage in unprotected sex, or contract an STD.

Alcohol and Pregnancy Infants born to mothers who drink during pregnancy are at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) -A group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems Effects of FAS: deformities, heart, liver, & kidney defects, vision & hearing problems, hyperactivity, anxiety, short attention span, social withdrawal, developmental disabilities, and poor coordination

Alcoholism Alcohol abuse – the excessive use of alcohol Alcoholism - A disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol Psychological dependence- A condition in which a person believes that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally Physiological dependence -A condition in which the user has a chemical need for a drug Alcoholic –an addict who is dependent on alcohol

Symptoms of alcoholism A strong need for alcohol to manage tension or stress, and a preoccupation with alcohol Craving Loss of control Inability to limit alcohol consumption Physical dependence Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety A need to drink increasingly more alcohol in order to feel its effects Tolerance

Factors that contribute to Alcoholism Studies show that a person who begins drinking alcohol as a teen is four times more likely to develop alcoholism than someone who waits until adulthood to use alcohol Neglect, abuse, or social isolation Family/friends Culture Economic hardship Peer pressure Mental illness or physical problems Stress Availability of alcohol Genetics

Stages of alcoholism Stage 1 – Abuse Stage 2 –Dependence Stage 3 –Addiction

Drinking and Driving Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) - The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage depends on the quantity and type of alcohol that was consumed, the rate of consumption, and body size and gender. Adult drivers can have a BAC of .08 For those under 21, there is no acceptable BAC

Alcohol and driving 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

Consequences of DUI Injuries to or death of the driver or others Arrest, jail time, court appearances, police record Severely restricted driving privileges Higher car insurance rates

Getting help Alcoholism cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Recovery - The process of learning to live an alcohol-free life Sobriety - Living without alcohol

Treatment for alcohol abuse Admitting that alcohol use is a problem Step 1 Detoxification, or adjusting to functioning without alcohol Step 2 Step 3 Receiving counseling to change behaviors Recovery, or taking responsibility for one’s own life Step 4