SUBSTANCE ABUSE: Alcohol and Intoxication Ms. Mai Lawndale High School

Alcohol, The Problem Drink Alcohol abuse remains the number one drug problem among teenagers and young adults Over 3 million adolescents (ages 14-17) experience problems from from alcohol abuse (poor schoolwork, illness, impaired judgment, car accidents) Alcohol has also been linked to teen pregnancy, violence, crime, and STDs

What is Alcohol? Alcohol is a depressant (drug that slows down the nervous system) Alcohol is also known as a gateway drug (leads to trying other drugs) Research shows that many young people who use alcohol also use other illegal drugs

Alcoholic Beverages There are several different types of the chemical alcohol, but the only type of alcohol that appears in beverages is ethanol Alcoholic beverages are labeled with the percentage of their alcohol content with their proof Proof is a measure of alcohol content that is 2 times the percentage of alcohol (example – whiskey is 80 proof which means that is it 40% alcohol)

3 Types of Alcoholic Beverages Beer is 3-5% alcohol Wine is 9-14% alcohol (wine coolers are wine mixed with carbonated water which is about 4-6% alcohol) Distilled spirits are 35-40% alcohol (whiskey, gin, scotch, vodka)

No Nutritional Value Alcohol contains no nutrients and interferes with the body ’ s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals Even though there are no nutrients, alcohol contains a lot of Calories Therefore, people who drink alcohol regularly may gain weight as a result

Why People Do Not Drink Alcohol Do not like the taste of alcohol Religious beliefs or social customs Weight-conscious people Do not like the feeling of losing control Alcoholics cannot control their drinking

Social Pressures Just like tobacco, many people start drinking because they find it difficult to refuse a drink from friends They fear disapproval or rejection by their friends, so they drink anyways

Stress Just like tobacco, many people drink in order to cope with stress and change the way they feel They think drinking offers an escape from depression, boredom, anxiety, and other uncomfortable feelings

Advertising Just like tobacco, ads for alcohol show drinkers healthy, attractive, strong, glamorous, adventuresome, athletic, fun-loving, and sophisticated Alcohol use in movies and TV shows display people using alcohol when they are under stress or facing problems, but either way it is viewed as “ cool ”

A Way to Rebel Young people also use alcohol as a way to rebel against their parents or other adults or authority Like tobacco, they feel like drinking shows their independence from their parents and a sign of adulthood

Types of Drinking 2 of 3 adults in the US drinks alcohol Alcohol use can be categorized into three different groups Social Drinkers – 1 drink/day Moderate Drinkers – 2 drinks/day Heavy Drinkers – 2+ drinks/day

Just One Drink A drink is defined as ½ ounce of alcohol (example - 1 can of beer, 1 glass of wine, or 1 shot of distilled spirit) Half of all drinkers are social drinkers (parties, family gatherings, special meal)

Heavy Drinkers Heavy drinkers use alcohol to cope with stress, worry, and unhappiness Drinking more than 4 drinks per day on average is considered excessive Just like tobacco, these addicts are physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol To addicted users, drinking is not a pleasurable activity, but an obsession

Blackouts People who drink heavily may experience blackouts Blackouts are periods of time when drinkers cannot remember what happened while intoxicated Blackouts are warning signs of excessive drinking

Alcoholism Alcoholism is a chronic disease characterized by dependence on alcohol and an inability to control your drinking Addicted drinkers who try to stop drinking suffer from withdrawal symptoms like trembling, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and seizures

Identifying Alcoholics Drinking alone Hiding alcohol from family and friends Relying on alcohol during stress Drinking in the morning Suffering hangovers frequently Missing work or school Getting annoyed when criticized about drinking

Intoxication Any effect that alcohol has on the mind or body is called intoxication Intoxication is not the same as being drunk because intoxication can begin at the first sip of alcohol Unlike food, alcohol does not have to be digested so it can enter the bloodstream quickly once it reached the stomach

Effects on the Brain Alcohol depresses neuron activity in areas of the brain that control attention, memory, and emotions At first, alcohol gives people a more relaxed feeling, but as time passes people have less control and may become angry or start crying People then become less capable of judging what is appropriate and safe

Effects on the Brain If drinking continues, alcohol can then affect speech, vision, and coordination The drinker has trouble walking, and may feel nauseated and start to vomit The alcohol can then travel to the brain stem and control heartbeat and breathing to a point of irregularity or completely stopping

Alcohol Poisoning (fatal level) Sometime drinkers will pass out either before or after the alcohol has reached a fatal level in their body Alcohol poisoning must be medically treated immediately Often times drinkers may vomit while unconscious and suffocate in their own vomit

Effects on Reflexes Because alcohol interferes with nerve impulses, alcohol slows the body ’ s reflexes and reaction time That is why many car accidents happen because a person is not able to react fast enough to a red light or someone driving in front of them

Effects on Temperature Regulation Alcohol makes the blood vessels relax causing more blood to flow to the skin As blood circulates in the skin, heat is released from the body through skin This lowers the body ’ s internal temperature and the body loses heat rapidly

Effects on Body Fluids Alcohol prevents the release of hormones that control how much urine the body produces Without this hormone, urine is made continuously and the body fluids become depleted As a result, drinkers become very thirsty and may become dehydrated

Measuring Intoxication A drinker ’ s level of intoxication is measured by their blood alcohol content (BAC) The BAC is the number of grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (%) The higher the BAC, the more alcohol is in a person ’ s blood

BAC Levels

Factors Influencing Intoxication The heavier the drinker is, the less affect alcohol will have on their body Alcohol ’ s effect on a drinker may decrease over time because some bodies can build a tolerance for it The rate of intake during a given time, and the presence of food in the stomach Alcohol is broken down in the liver, and can take about 3 hours for 1 ounce

Multiplier Effect Using alcohol with other drugs can be extremely dangerous because alcohol increases the effects of many other drugs The multiplier effect is when one drug increases the effect of another drug For example, alcohol is extremely dangerous when taken with tranquilizers because it distorts your senses, coordination, and causes liver damage

Testing a Drinker’s BAC level Police officers and medical professionals typically use 3 methods to measure a person ’ s BAC level 1. Breathalyzer Test 2. Urine Test 3. Blood Test Any of these tests can be used as evidence to prosecute a drunk driver A driver can also have their license taken away if he or she refuses a BAC test

Recovering from Intoxication About 95% of alcohol enters the bloodstream and is broken down by the liver (other 5% is in urine, sweat, breath) Depending on a person ’ s BAC level, it can take anywhere from 2-10 hours for alcohol to be eliminated from your body A hangover is the unpleasant physical effect that follows heavy use of alcohol (dizziness, upset stomach, headache)

In Conclusion… Alcohol slows down your nervous system affecting your mind and behavior Alcohol may initially make the drinker feel happy and relaxed, but ultimately can have dangerous effects depending upon the amount of intake