1. Alcohol & DRUGS

2. Depressants
Depressants slow down the activity of the brain and nervous system, slowing down the communication between the two. For medical purposes they can calm nerves, relax muscles and useful for sleeping disorders such as insomnia.
Alcohol
Cannabis
GHB
Inhalants
Heroin
Morphine
Codeine
Methadone

3. Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the brain and central nervous system, speeding up communication between the two. They usually increase alertness and physical activity.
Ecstasy
Speed
Methamphetamine
Amphetamines
Crystal Methamphetamine
Cocaine
Crack Cocaine

4. Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens interfere with the brain and central nervous system in a way that results in radical distortions of a user’s perception of reality. Profound images, sounds and sensations will be experienced, but they will not actually exist. These are vivid hallucinations.
LSD
Shrooms
PCP (Phencyclidine)
Ketamine

5. Binge Drinking Binge drinking: Four or more drinks for
a female and five or more drinks for a
male at one sitting
Chronic drinking: Daily or almost
daily alcohol consumption
(60 drinks per month)

6. Dangers of Binge Drinking
Unintentional injuries (e.g. car crash, falls, burns, drowning).
Intentional injuries (e.g. firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence).
Alcohol poisoning
Many high school and college students die from alcohol poisoning due to binge drinking on the weekends
STI’s/Unplanned sex/or Unintended pregnancy
Could lead to drug use
High blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Liver Disease

7. Legal Age & Legal Limit
21!!!!
Below .08 BAC

11. UNDERSTANDING HOW ALCOHOL AFFECTS THE BODY
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream via small blood vessels in the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Within minutes of drinking alcohol, it travels from the stomach to the brain, where it quickly produces its effects, slowing the action of nerve cells.
Approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach. Most of the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine.
Alcohol is also carried by the bloodstream to the liver, which eliminates the alcohol from the blood through a process called “metabolizing,” where it is converted to a nontoxic substance. The liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time, leaving the excess circulating throughout the body. Thus the intensity of the effect on the body is directly related to the amount consumed.
When the amount of alcohol in the blood exceeds a certain level, the respiratory (breathing) system slows down markedly, and can cause a coma or death, because oxygen no longer reaches the brain.

12. Dependence: 5 symptoms
Craving: a strong need, or compulsion, to drink. 
Loss of control: the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.
Physical dependence: happens because the brain and body adapt to having a drug or alcohol for a period of time
Withdrawal Symptom: the unpleasant physical reaction that accompanies the process of ceasing to take an addictive drug/alcohol
Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.
Tolerance: the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get high.

13. Prevalence in 8th graders:
51.7% have tried alcohol 
43.1% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year 
25.1% have been drunk 
15.2% have had 1 or more binge drinking episodes
Prevalence in 10th graders: 
70.6% have tried alcohol
63.7% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year 
48.9% have been drunk 
25.6% have had 1 or more binge drinking episodes 
1.9% have been daily drinking for at least 1 month at some point in their lives
Prevalence in 12th graders: 
80% have tried alcohol 
73.8% have had an alcoholic drink in the past year 
62.3% have been drunk 
30.8% binge drank in the past 2 weeks 
3.6% use alcohol daily

14. STATISTICS
As kids get older, they drink more. By age 15, half of teens have had at least one drink. By age 18, more than 70% of teens have had at least one drink. Alcohol use remains extremely widespread among today’s teenagers. Nearly three quarters of students (72%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school, and more than a third (37%) have done so by eighth grade. Death – Over 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls, burns, and drowning. Serious injuries – More than 190,000 people under age 21 visited an emergency room for alcohol-related injuries in 2008 alone.

15. Short-term Effects Upset stomach Headaches Breathing difficulties
Distorted vision and hearing 
Impaired judgment 
Decreased perception and coordination 
Unconsciousness 
Anemia (loss of red blood cells) 
Coma
Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events that occurred while under the influence)
Increased blood pressure
Anxiety/restlessness
Lower inhibition
Mental confusion
Memory loss
Death from respiratory arrest
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Vomiting 
Diarrhea

16. Long-term Effects
Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning 
Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence
Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity 
Increased family problems, broken relationships 
Alcohol poisoning 
High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases 
Liver disease 
Nerve damage 
Sexual problems 
Permanent damage to the brain 
Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by amnesia, apathy and disorientation 
Ulcers 
Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls) 
Malnutrition 
Cancer of the mouth and throat

18. Healthy Liver
Alcoholic Liver

19. What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
When mother drinks, baby drinks
Alcohol disrupts brain development
There may also be some developmental delays, poor coordination, hyperactivity and abnormal facial features. The child’s IQ could also be lower.
There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy; therefore, no alcohol consumption is recommended
4,000-12,000 infants per year in US