1. Alcohol 101: A Step Closer to Stopping Abuse and Misuse

2. What is Alcohol?
A drug
A depressant (slows the function of the central nervous system)
Created when yeast meets sugar
Yeast + Grapes = Wine
Yeast + Barley = Beer
Yeast + Plants with Sugar = Liquor

3. 1 - 12 oz beer = 1 - 5 oz glass of wine = 1 ½ shots of liquor
Drinking Basics
oz beer = oz glass of wine = 1 ½ shots of liquor
Beer = 2 - 6% alcohol
Wine = % alcohol
Liquor = % alcohol

4. Drinking Basics Cont.
BAC – Blood Alcohol Concentration – the amount of alcohol contained in a person’s blood
It typically takes 1 hour for the body to metabolize 1 standard drink

5. How does alcohol work? 1. People drink alcohol
2. It’s absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine
3. It enters the central nervous system which controls body functions

6. Short Term Effects Slurred speech Impaired judgment Drowsiness
Vomiting
Diarrhea/Upset stomach
Headaches
Distorted vision
Distorted hearing
Impaired judgment
Blackouts
Anemia
Decreased coordination
Breathing difficulties
Unconsciousness

7. Long Term Effects Unintentional injuries Intentional injuries
Injuries that happen but were not planned
Leading cause of death and disability
Examples: Car accidents, Falls, Drowning
Intentional injuries
Injuries that happen because of purposeful human action
Examples: Gun injuries, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

8. Long Term Effects Cont. Increased family problems Broken relationships
Alcohol poisoning – when the body becomes poisoned by large amounts of alcohol
Can cause: severe vomiting, low blood sugar, seizures, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing
Could cause DEATH

9. Long Term Effects High blood pressure Stroke Liver disease
Sexual problems
Brain Damage
Ulcers
Malnutrition
Cancer

10. Alcohol Affects the Whole Body

11. Why do teens drink? Big Question?!? 1. Curiosity 2. Reduce Stress
3. Relax
4. To Fit In
5. To Feel Older
6. Peer Pressure

12. Types of Drinkers
Non-drinker – someone who self reports they do not drink
Moderate drinker – someone who currently drinks but does not consume more than 5 drinks in one occasion
Binge drinker – someone who drinks 5 or more drinks in one occasion
Alcoholic – someone who suffers from alcoholism

13. Binge Drinking
Heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time
Consumption of 5 or more drinks in a row during a period of 2 weeks
Heavy binge drinking – having three or more of such incidences in a 2 week period
Most life threatening consequence of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning
About 90% of under age drinking is in the form of binge drinking

14. Consequences of Binge Drinking
Alcohol poisoning – affects the body’s involuntary reflexes like breathing and gagging – could choke to death on vomit
More likely to be overweight
Higher blood pressure
Greater risk of STDs and unplanned pregnancies
Struggle with school
Disrupt sleep patterns
Loss of friendships

15. Alcoholism Major drinking problem
Typically when someone uses alcohol compulsively and out of control
Person will have 4 symptoms
Craving – a need to drink
Lost of control – not being able to limit your drinking
Physical dependence – withdrawal systems when alcohol use stops
Tolerance – in order to get drunk the person will have to drink larger amounts
The alcohol basically controls the person’s life

16. Alcohol Affects More Than Just the Abuser
Drinking and driving kills thousands every year – almost half of all car accidents involved drunk drivers
Domestic violence – some people get angry and violent and hurt their spouses and families

17. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Mental and physical defects that may develop in a fetus if the mother consumes alcohol while pregnant

18. What factors contribute to how intoxicated you are?
the amount of alcohol you drink
the amount of food you eat before or while drinking
the length of time you drink
body weight
gender

19. DWI Laws
Zero Tolerance Law: A driver under 21 who drives with a .02 BAC to .07 BAC violates the Zero Tolerance Law.
DWAI/Alcohol: Driving While Ability Impaired (by alcohol) - more than .05 BAC to .07 BAC
DWI: Driving While Intoxicated BAC or higher
Aggravated DWI: Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated BAC or higher.

20. Consequences of Violating the Law
Zero Tolerance Law – civil penalty, suspended license
Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI) – pay fine, suspended license for 90 days
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – pay fine, lose license for 6 months, possible jail time
Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (A-DWI) – pay fine, lose license for 1 year, possible jail time

21. What NOT to do if you decide to drink!
DRIVE!
Take prescriptions or other drugs
Over drink
Mix up the types of drinks you have

22. **Drinking doesn’t have to be the end of your life!**
There is Hope!
If you or someone you know has trouble with drinking you can get help!
Talk to a parent
Talk to a counselor
Talk to someone you trust
Remove yourself from the people who also drink
Alcoholics Anonymous
**Drinking doesn’t have to be the end of your life!**

23. Note from the Author
Thank you to those that took the time to watch and read through my notes. I hope that you have a better understanding about alcohol and how damaging it can be to your whole life. Please consider yourself and others when making the choice to drink and drink responsibly.
- Andrea Ellis