ALCOHOL Day 3

Facts About Alcohol  ETHANOL – type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. Produced through the fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains.  FERMENTATION – chemical reaction of yeast on sugars

Binge Drinking(heavy episodic)  Drinking for the express purpose of becoming intoxicated  Men: 5 drinks or more on a single occasion  Women: 4 drinks for women or more on a SINGLE occasion

Alcohol  Overview ● 65% of Americans consume alcohol ● 10% are heavy drinkers  Alcohol and college students ● 70% of college students consumed alcohol in the last year ● 1/2 are CLASSIFIED as heavy drinkers ● Many students have a misperception about “normal drinking” behavior, and believe their peers drink more than they actually do.

Immediate Effects of Alcohol  Depressant – drug that slows the central nervous system  INTOXICATION – is a state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or other drugs and a person’s physical and mental control are significantly reduced

Factors that Influence Alcohol Use  Peer Pressure – teens who choose friends who avoid are more likely to be alcohol free  Family – teens cite parent disapproval as the number one reason for not using alcohol  Media MESSAGES – these messages target young, attractive people engaging in a fun, relaxed environment(commercials)

Alcohol’s Role in Unsafe Situations  Alcohol and the Law – if you under 21, it is illegal  Alcohol, Violence– Violent crimes are more likely to be committed when alcohol is consumed. Alcohol impairs a person’s judgment, lower inhibitions, and compromises moral standards.  Alcohol Abuse – the EXCESSIVE use of alcohol.  Alcohol and Extracurricular Activities – the school has a zero tolerance policy. Students will become ineligible to play sports or participate in other activities

Did You Know? Alcohol is a factor in:  33% of suicides  50% of homicides  62% of ASSAULTS  68% of manslaughter cases  50% of head injuries  41% of traffic fatalities  Domestic abuse, child abuse, neglect, work place injuries  More than half of all drowning incidents

Factors That Influence the Short Term Effects of Alcohol  Body Size and Gender – smaller people feel the effects faster. In general moves into the blood stream faster in females  Amount and rate of intake – when a person drinks more alcohol than the liver can break down then intoxication occurs. When levels become to high then alcohol poisoning occurs

Short Term Effects of Alcohol  Nervous System ● Brain – reduced control of the body ● Memory – process is disorganized ● Judgment – is altered and impaired  Cardiovascular System ● Heart - ● Blood Vessels -  Digestive System ● Stomach ● LIVER ● Kidneys  Respiratory ● Lungs ● Breathing

Alcohol and Drug Interactions  Responsible for ¼ of all emergency room admissions  Metabolism – the process by which the body BREAKS down substance ● Alcohol travels through the blood stream to the brain ● At the same time the liver metabolizes the alcohol in the blood stream making it less active ● The kidneys filter the neutralized particles from the blood and produce urine

Multiplier Effect  Multiplier Effect – alcohol combined with medication can change or ENHANCE the effect ● Alcohol can change some medications into dangerous chemicals which may damage the liver (ie. Acetaminophine and alcohol) ● Alcohol can increase the effect of some drugs (ie. Antihistamines)

Driving Under the Influence JUST HAND OVER THE KEYS!

Alcohol Poisoning  Alcohol Poisoning – a severe or POTENTIALLY fatal reaction to an alcoholic overdose ● Effects of Alcohol Poisoning ○ Mental confusion, coma, stupor, vomiting, seizures ○ Slow respiration ○ Irregular heart beat ○ Hypothermia, or low body temp – pale skin ○ Severe dehydration from vomiting

Dehydration  Alcohol is diuretic that causes increased urinary output, leading to dehydration. (loss of water)

Hangover  Physiological reaction to excessive drinking, including symptoms such as headache, upset stomach, anxiety, depression, diarrhea, and thirst

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Changes to the Brain  Addiction – Inability to stop drinking  Loss of Brain Functions – Loss of verbal skills, visual and spatial skills, and memory  Brain Damage – possible reduction in brain size. Loss of brain cells, however, brain can recover if the person stops drinking over time.

Cardiovascular Changes  Heart – Damage to heart muscle  Enlarged Heart – From increased work load  High Blood Pressure – Damages heart and can cause heart attack and/or stroke

Liver Problems  Fatty Liver – Fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down; excess fats block flow of blood to liver cells, leading to cell death  Alcoholic Hepatitis – INFLAMMATION or infection of the liver  Cirrhosis – liver tissue is replaced by useless scar tissue; disease can lead to liver failure and death unless liver transplant is performed

cirrohsis

Digestive System Problems  Irritation – Digestive lining is damaged; can lead to stomach ulcers and cancer of the stomach and ESOPHAGUS

Pancreas Problems  Lining of the Pancreas – Swells to block the passage from the pancreas to the small intestines. Blocks chemicals the small intestines need for DIGESTION. Chemicals begin to destroy the pancreas, causing pain and vomiting. May even cause death.

Alcohol During Pregnancy  Leading cause of mental retardation in the U.S.  Fetal Alcohol SYNDROME (FAS) – May cause birth defects which may include small head and deformities of the face, hands or feet. Heart, liver, and kidney defects as well as hearing and vision problems are common. May also have learning disabilities as well as attention deficits.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcoholism  Alcoholism – disease in which a person is mentally and/or physically addicted to alcoholic beverages. Characterized by the inability to study, work, or socialize normally.  Alcoholic – Person who is dependant upon alcohol. May display violence or AGGRESSION. May become withdrawn or quiet. It effects every race, ethnicity and socioeconomic group.

SYMPTOMS of ALCOHOLISM  CRAVING – Strong need to drink  LOSS of CONTROL – Inability to limit the number of drinks consumed  PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE – When sober they experience withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, nausea, shakes, and anxiety  TOLERANCE – Needs to increase amount consumed to feel the effects  HEALTH, FAMILY, LEGAL PROBLEMS – DUI’s, poor relationships, etc..

STAGES of ALCOHOLISM  Stage 1 – Abuse: Social Drinking turns to dependence turns to used for stress management turns to regular intoxication turns to making excuses for drinking turns to increase in consumption to get desired effect.  Stage 2 – Dependence: Cannot stop drinking and becomes the person’s central focus. May blame others for problem.

STAGES of ALCOHOLISM CONT.  Stage 3 – Addiction: Drinking is most important thing in a person’s life. Liver damage is likely. Withdrawal symptoms may occur.

STEPS to RECOVERY  Step 1 – Admission: Person admits to having a problem.  Step 2 – Detoxification: Person goes through a process in which the body adjusts to functioning without alcohol.  Step 3 – Counseling: Person receives counseling to learn to live without alcohol.  Step 4 – Recovery: Person takes responsibility for their actions and life.

STATISTICS  40% of violent crimes (3 million annually) are alcohol related.  2/3 of victims of domestic violence report alcohol as a factor in the crime.  ½ of all homicide victims have alcohol in their blood stream.