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2 Binge Proof Your Kids ?

3 Flash Forward

4 By age 14, 70% of students have tried alcohol By age 17, 90% of students consume alcohol regularly 10% of 12-year-olds and 49% of 17-year-olds drank in week prior to national survey The harsh reality

5 Alcohol contributes to 3 leading causes of death Injuries Homicide Suicide More deaths than all illicit drugs togetherOver half of all serious road injuries Dangerous and antisocial behaviours Drink driving Violence Illicit drug use Sexual activity The harsh reality

6 How much alcohol is safe?

7 National

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10 National

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12 Slows down messages between brain and body Affects concentration and coordination Depressant Alcohol is a drug

13 Alcohol and the body Initial effects Feel relaxed Reduced concentration Slower reaction times Initial effects Feel relaxed Reduced concentration Slower reaction times A few more drinks Fewer inhibitions More confidence Reduced coordination Slurred speech Intense moods (sad, happy, angry) A few more drinks Fewer inhibitions More confidence Reduced coordination Slurred speech Intense moods (sad, happy, angry) Still more drinks Confusion Blurred vision Poor muscle control Still more drinks Confusion Blurred vision Poor muscle control More still Nausea Vomiting Sleep More still Nausea Vomiting Sleep Even more.. Alcohol poisoning Possible coma Death Even more.. Alcohol poisoning Possible coma Death

Muscles Weakness Loss of muscle tissue Muscles Weakness Loss of muscle tissue Liver Severe swelling and pain Hepatitis Cirrhosis Cancer Liver Severe swelling and pain Hepatitis Cirrhosis Cancer 14 Mouth, throat, lips cancer Mouth, throat, lips cancer Heart High blood pressure Heart attack Stroke Heart High blood pressure Heart attack Stroke Blood Changes in red blood cells Blood Changes in red blood cells Lungs Increased risk of infections including tuberculosis (TB) Lungs Increased risk of infections including tuberculosis (TB) Intestines diarrhoea Intestines diarrhoea Sex organs - Female Irregular menstrual periods Infertility Damage to unborn baby Sex organs - Female Irregular menstrual periods Infertility Damage to unborn baby Sex organs - Male Impotence Shrinking of testicles Damaged/reduced sperm Sex organs - Male Impotence Shrinking of testicles Damaged/reduced sperm Skin Flushing Sweating Bruising Skin Flushing Sweating Bruising Pancreas Inflammation and pain Pancreas Inflammation and pain Nervous System Tingling and loss of sensation Nervous System Tingling and loss of sensation Stomach Inflamed lining Bleeding Ulcers Stomach Inflamed lining Bleeding Ulcers Alcohol and the body

15 Amygdala – emotion Nucleus Accumbens – motivation Cerebellum – physical coordination

16 The majority of prefrontal brain wiring takes place by age 16, and continues to develop until about age It governs good judgment, complex thinking, decision making, planning and impulse control.

17 Hippocampus– Learning and memory

The Brain “The brain goes through dynamic change during adolescence (ages 12 to 24) and alcohol can seriously damage long – and short-term – growth processes.” American Medical Association Fact Sheet, 2003) These S.P.E.C.T. images show activity levels in the brain of a healthy non-drinker … and that of a sober 21-year old with a 4 year history of alcohol use *The “holes” indicate areas of significantly reduced brain activity

19 Drinking before age 15: Alcoholism => 5 times more likely Major Depression => 4 times more likely Each year delayed => 14% reduction in dependency risk

20 Why do kids drink alcohol?

21 Why do kids drink alcohol? Kids need to belongpush boundariesbe ‘grown up’ Peer pressure Risk Taking Cultural ‘rites’

22 Parent Power

23 Parent Power Kids need to belong Love / Acceptance Family Mealtimes Be involved Family Traditions

24 Kids need to push boundaries Clear Boundaries Great Heroes Responsibility Do Hard Things Parent Power

25 Kids need to be ‘grown up’ Children See/Children Do Create & Celebrate milestones Sponge / Sieve Parent Power

26 It’s never too early to start talking about alcohol “Discussing substance abuse is not an event; it’s a journey” Glenn Williams, Talking Smack

27 It’s never too early to start talking about alcohol ? What if

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29 Parent Pack RRP $29.95 (+P&H) Includes Parent Manual, DVD and Instruction booklet

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