Alcohol Compiled by Todd Corabi Some slides were taken from Glencoe Health’s pre-made Alcohol presentation…teen health curriculum

What Is Alcohol? Alcohol is a drug created by a chemical reaction in some foods, especially fruits and grains. Found in beer, wine, whiskey, and other beverages, alcohol affects a person physically and mentally. Using alcohol may result in chemical dependency on this substance and cause several health problems.

How Alcohol Affects the Body A person can feel the effects of alcohol just a few minutes after taking the first drink. People who drink large quantities of alcohol also risk serious long-term effects such as permanent damage to organs and even death.

Understanding the Risks People who drink alcohol or take other drugs expose themselves to serious and deadly physical, mental/emotional, and social harm. Being aware of the consequences of alcohol and drug use can help you: Stay away from risk situations. Make the right decision if you find yourself in a risk situation. Feel confident about choosing not to use alcohol or drugs.

Some short term physical effects Brain Impaired judgment, reasoning, memory, concentration; slowed reaction time, decreased coordination; slurred speech; distorted vision and hearing; reduced inhibitions; alcohol poisoning, causing unconsciousness and even death. Heart Increased heart rate. Blood Vessels Enlarged blood vessels, creating false sense of warmth. Liver Processes of the liver, which filters out over 90% of the alcohol in the body, may become unbalanced. Stomach Vomiting, which can lead to choking and death. Kidneys Increased urination, which can result in dehydration, headache, and dizziness.

Physical Risks Reduced strength Low energy levels Slowed reflexes Loss of physical coordination Difficulty walking, running, dancing, and playing sports Muscle twitches and cramps Decreased endurance

Differing Effects The more alcohol a person drinks, the more he or she will be affected. Other factors that determine how a person will be affected by alcohol include the following: Size and gender Food in the stomach How fast a person drinks Other substances, such as illegal drugs, in the body

Drinking and Driving Even one alcoholic beverage begins to impair coordination and can make driving unsafe. The more alcohol a person drinks, the more dangerous he or she is behind the wheel. Slower reaction times and impaired judgment make drunk drivers dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians. Drunk drivers are said to be driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol if their blood alcohol level is.08 or higher.

TEEN Alcohol use Many teens begin drinking because their friends do. Often, teens do it to “get away” or because they feel “it’s just what you should do”. Others do it to be part of the crowd. Regardless, alcohol consumption in the United States* is illegal for all under 21. Anyone caught drinking runs the risk of not being permitted to get their Driving License until age 21. In addition, teen brains are continuing to grow and under-age drinking may contribute to decreased cognitive development. (*the drinking age varies from country to country)

Some Long term physical Effects Liver Cirrhosis, or scarring and destruction of liver tissue, and liver cancer. Both can cause death. Stomach Ulcers (open sores) in the stomach lining; stomach cancer. Kidneys Kidney failure resulting from high blood pressure. Brain Brain cell destruction, nervous system disorders, and memory loss. Heart Irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage. Blood Vessels High blood pressure; stroke.

Mental/Emotional Risks The psychological consequences of substance use are very serious: Drug and alcohol users often feel bad about themselves and have trouble relating to others. The ability to think and learn is impaired by alcohol and drug use.

Mental/Emotional Effects Addiction Trouble communicating Depression Lack of concentration Anxiety Loss of inhibitions Reduced ambition Suicide Confusion Irritability Anger Poor judgment Loss of memory Inability to solve problems

Risks in School Teens who use alcohol or other drugs may: Be late or miss school often. Do poorly in school because they are unable to pay attention. Behave in ways that get them suspended or expelled. Miss the opportunity to be involved in school activities. Let down classmates or teammates because of poor performance. Lose the chance to learn new skills and develop their abilities. Fail to meet long-term goals.

Alcoholism Alcoholism is an illness characterized by a physical and psychological need for alcohol. Alcoholics are unable to limit the amount they drink. They develop a tolerance for alcohol and need to drink more and more alcohol to experience its effects.

Alcoholism (cont’d.) A person may be alcoholic if he or she: Becomes drunk often. Drinks alone. Stops participating in other activities so that he or she can drink. Makes excuses for drinking. Promises to quit but does not. Refuses to admit how much he or she drinks. Experiences blackouts.

Problem Drinking? It’s not just the drinker’s problem Drinking and Driving one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States Violence or abuse towards others. Alcohol involved in more than ½ of murders, suicides, sexual violence, and violence in general Can cause Birth Defects including Mental Retardation, slow growth, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Pre-Mature labor One of the top 5 leading causes of Divorce Excessive use can cause mental illness Job Loss => no money => loss of home? Loss of driving privileges INCREASED SEXUAL RISK TAKING

Risks to the Unborn Use of alcohol or other drugs by pregnant females can result in: Serious diseases and birth defects in the fetus. Delays in development and learning disabilities. Addiction to drugs at birth. Fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes developmental delays and psychological and behavioral problems throughout life.

Getting Help To get help for yourself or for a friend, or family member who has an alcohol or drug problem: Talk to trusted adults like parents, teachers, religious leaders, or counselors. If you feel uncomfortable talking to these adults about your problems, you can turn to organizations that offer counseling and treatment.

Reasons to Avoid Alcohol and Drugs There are many good reasons to avoid alcohol and drugs. Remind yourself: Alcohol and drugs can harm my health. I do not show respect for myself if I use alcohol or drugs. My future means too much to me to ruin it. I’d rather be in control of what I do. Alcohol and drugs can take away my energy. Using alcohol or drugs means breaking the law. My true friends don’t try to convince me to use drugs.

Alternatives to Alcohol Finding healthy ways to spend time is a good way to avoid substance use. Here are some ideas: Join an activity at school. Volunteer. Participate in any alcohol- and drug-free events taking place in the community.