Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 1 Adolescents & Alcohol Song by Sia - Chandelier (Acoustic Version)

Adolescents & Alcohol Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause Isci656 Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Claudia Wingo December

Abstract This paper explores alcoholism in the young adult. Its biological overview, as well as the societal influences including family environment, lifestyles choices, and coping skills are explored. The psychological aspects of this disease are often widespread. What will work in preventing this epidemic? A working definition of alcoholism also seems confusing. Is it binge drinking or alcoholism? Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 3

Statistics of underage drinking Underage drinking (under 21) is a serious health risk and national problem, and “is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage youth”. Someone that starts drinking before age 15 years are five times more likely to develop alcoholism later in life than if starting at the legal age of age 21 years “CDC - Fact Sheets-Underage Drinking - Alcohol,” 2014 Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 4

What is binge drinking? Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion. When adolescents drink they tend to binge drink. “MTF data show that 11 percent of 8th graders, 22 percent of 10th graders, and 29 percent of 12th graders had engaged in heavy episodic (or “binge 1 ”) drinking.” “Underage Drinking-Why Do Adolescents Drink, What Are the Risks, and How Can Underage Drinking Be Prevented?,” n.d. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 5

Changes in the body Overdosing on alcohol is a possibility with binge drinking. Overdosing or “alcohol poisoning” occurs when there is so much alcohol in the bloodstream that areas of the brain controlling basic life-support functions—such as breathing, heart rate, and temperature control—begin to shut down Publications | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | Alcohol Overdose: The Dangers of Drinking Too Much,” 2013 Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 6

Brain Damage One of the most significant danger is remaining conscious [or blackouts], and could cause long lasting brain damage. Furthermore, long lasting heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a thiamine deficiency and is a common cause of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). However, Korsakoff syndrome is permanent brain damage resulting in: Staggering, irregular gait, and other muscular incoordination Confabulation - remembering events that never happened Inability to form new memories Loss of memory Visual and auditory hallucinations Publications | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | Alcohol Overdose: The Dangers of Drinking Too Much,” 2013 Image Retrieved: brains/ Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 7

Possible Contributions  Trauma  Genetics  Social pressures to fit in  General stress of school grades, parents, and peers  Role models are drinkers  Repeated media that overly portray drinking problems or alcoholism as funny diminish its significance over time  Media shows that drinking as a normal daily event  Caregivers often drinking while taking care of children  Parents overlook the behavior due to their own history iStockPhoto Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 8

Lifestyle Choices Healthy People 2020 acknowledges that the health outcomes for adolescents and young adults are grounded in their social environments. Behaviors of young people are influenced at the individual, peer, family, school, community, and societal levels. Attention to these areas of influence will have a dramatic impact on the youth’s decision to use alcohol for the first time and to continue to use throughout life. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 9

Building coping Skills Youth need the skills and ability to manage stress and pressures faced throughout their lives. With education and planning, youth can be equipped with a number of skills to help them to make the most effective decisions in regards to their well- being. Teaching students the importance of taking care of basic needs can help them feel better physically and psychologically. They will be in best position to make clear choices.  Getting enough sleep  Grooming oneself (showering, washing hair, using deodorant, wearing clean clothing, etc.) Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 10  Healthy and nutritious diet  Regular exercise  Drinking water

Building coping Skills Teaching student to learn and practice relationship management skills, will allow them to rationally think about any given situation, evaluating their options to manage their behavior. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 11  Use available support resources  Handling emotions  Mindfulness practices: meditation, journaling, prayer, breathing exercises  Communication skills  Time Management  Relaxation strategies

Program Design Mission Statement: The purpose of the program is to reduce the number of youth who take their first drink before age 15 and reduce the number of youth who report their experience of binge drinking on a frequent basis. The program will engage and incentivize participants to engage in behaviors that promote healthy interactions in families, social settings and community. Program consists of four (4) interactive workshop sessions: Three (3) sessions designed as separate workshops for parents/caregivers and youth, at the same location One (1) final session with the combined parents/caregivers and youth together. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 12

Session 1: Introductions and Purpose: Engage participants to define alcoholism, binge drinking and the effects on health and well-being Share statistics with interactive participation Share medical outcomes of binge drinking and alcoholism Engage participants in formulating possible strategies to address this prevalent issue Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 13

Session 2: Speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous to share their story:  Adult speaker, in recovery, to share with parents/caregivers  Young adult/Youth speaker, in recovery, to share with adolescent participants Focus: Identify the causes of drinking with each group Share experiences of how interactions with drinking affected their lives Share experiences of how their drinking affected others Explore boundary setting Define and recognize the process of enabling Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 14

Session 3: Lifestyle considerations:  Identify family practices What are the drinking habits of the family? How accessible is alcohol to the youth, in the home? In the community?  Engage participants in discovering healthy and appropriate activities for youth to channel energy. Explore involvement in family activities, social clubs, sports, technology, and creative arts programs. Focus on opportunities that contribute to enhancement of self confidence Age appropriate skill building techniques:  Formulate responses to a range of pressures in life, from being offered a drink to being bullied by a drunk  Communication skills  Tolerance to other’s differences  Managing responsibilities such as homework, chores, and time Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 15

Session 3 (con’t): Stress Management techniques:  Mindfulness  Meditation, yoga, qi-gong  Other relaxation techniques such as deep breathing  Use therapy dogs can help immensely by spending time with other beings who will give them unconditional acceptance and love  Getting closer to nature- gardening, walking/hiking  After-school academic learning and studying strategies Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 16

Session 4: Two groups combine in final session to formalize an action plan:  Adults commit to be role models for the youth. Create and sign contract: No drinking in front of youth No accessible alcohol to children in refrigerator or cabinets that is not locked  Youth commit to engage in responsible behavior. Create and sign contract: Not to begin to drink before legally approved age of 21 If already drinking, commit to quit drinking habits Get involved in positive activities Learn stress reduction techniques Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 17

Session 4 (con’t): Two groups combine in final session to formalize an action plan. All to identify resources for support that can be contacted in case of need and continuous encouragement. Support and Educational groups: AA, Al-Anon, MADD, SADD, DARE- Drug Abuse Resistance Education, School Counselors, Family, Friends, etc. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 18

Funding and Support Funding and support will be sought from multiple partners in the schools, businesses and local government.  Partnership with schools Promote program with school districts as a part of their Health and Wellness programs. Can be conducted as an addendum to any current health curriculum or as an extracurricular program. Self-identified students and families as well as those identified by the school system, as worthy candidates may choose to participate.  Partnership with Insurance companies Promote program with insurers and offer discounts on automobile and homeowner’s policies for completion of all sessions. Participants are to complete initial and follow up written questionnaires. For continuation of benefits a renewal contract is to be signed every six months. The insurance companies can offer additional incentives, after 5 years of incident free participation. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 19

Funding and Support (con’t)  Partnership with local Government and Community Apply for grant to obtain funding to provide this program to economically challenged families, adolescents in the foster care program; adolescents in urban and rural areas; adolescents with parents who are incarcerated. Contracts are signed proven with certificate, and then incentives increase with good behavior each year Obtain sponsorship from Social clubs, Athletic clubs, Boy’s and Girl’s clubs, local programs available for youth. Incentives may include discounted or free membership for certificate Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 20

The forum for the program can vary based on availability. Depending on the opportunity, sessions can take place in schools, public libraries, community centers, medical clinics, churches, or hotels. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 21

Outcomes This program is designed to be offered through various types of resources. These include: schools, community centers, local health departments, and “free clinics”. As a result the youth will be equipped to make proper decisions to abstain from drinking initially and/or reduce or discontinue drinking. All adolescents will understand the consequences of alcohol on the body and society Abstain from participation in alcohol parties Choose activities that will promote their self-confidence and future careers Regularly use meditation or other practices for stress management Ideally maintain good communication with parents Manage relationships by developing an acceptance for people with different religions, sexual orientation, and belief systems. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 22

Outcomes Follow up surveys, self reporting and familial reporting of behaviors will be gathered every 6 months for 5 years. Ultimately, desired results will be assessed at completion of high school. Additional factors to be considered to determine how the program effects other areas of life: Dean’s list and other honors Furtherance of education through college or trade school Reported drinking and patterns of use Legal issues, including any DUI’s or other criminal activity. Parent and adolescent active participation in community affairs (i.e. involvement in local programs, volunteer hours, etc. Integrative Approaches to Prevention of Common Diseases Patti Zielinski Susan Levy Yvette Gause 23

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