1. Lesson 3 – Alcohol, the Individual, and Society

2. Terms to Know
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – a group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems
Alcoholism – a disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol
Alcoholic – an addict who is dependent on alcohol
Recovery – the process of learning to live an alcohol-free life
Detoxification – a process in which the body adjusts to functioning without alcohol
Sobriety – living without alcohol

3. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on the Body
In teens it can interfere with growth and development
Excessive alcohol use over a prolonged period of time can damage most body systems

4. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Brain
Addiction – inability to stop drinking
Loss of brain functions – loss of verbal skills, visual and spatial skills, and memory
Brain damage
Long-term use can lead to major brain damage and even reduction in brain size
Moderate use can destroy brain cells

5. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Cardiovascular Changes
Heart – damage to heart muscle
Enlarged Heart – from increased workload caused by alcohol
High Blood Pressure – damages the heart and can cause heart attack and stroke

6. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Liver Problems
Fatty Liver – fat builds up in the liver and cannot be broken down; excess fat blocks the flow of blood to liver cells, leading to cell death
Alcoholic hepatitis – inflammation or infection of the liver
Cirrhosis – liver tissue is replaced with useless scar tissue; the disease can lead to liver failure and death unless a liver transplant is performed

7. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Digestive System Problems
Irritation – digestive lining is damaged; can lead to stomach ulcers and cancer of the stomach and esophagus

8. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use
Pancreas Problems
Lining of the Pancreas – swells to block the passage from the pancreas to the small intestines. Chemicals the small intestine needed for digestions can’t pass through the block area. The chemicals begin to destroy the pancreas itself, causing pain and vomiting. A severe case can lead to death

9. Alcohol During Pregnancy
Alcohol passes from the mother’s body into the bloodstream of the fetus
Fetus’s liver is not developed enough to process the alcohol
Pregnant women who drink during pregnancy risk permanent damage to the fetus
Drinking during the first few weeks of pregnancy can be especially harmful to a baby’s central nervous system
Infants born to mothers who drink during pregnancy may be at risk for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

10. Effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
May be born with a small head and deformities of the face, hands, or feet
Heart, liver, and kidney defects, as well as vision and hearing problems are common
Slow growth and coordination
Have difficulties with learning, attention, memory, and problem solving
FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States

11. Alcoholism
Characterized by an impaired ability to study, work, or socialize normally

12. Alcoholics
Some alcoholics may display harmful behaviors, while others become quiet and withdrawn
Alcoholism isn’t limited to any race, gender, age, or socioeconomic group
Alcoholics can develop serious health problems, such as cirrhosis of the liver and brain damage

13. Alcoholics Alcoholics might display these symptoms:
Cravings for alcohol
Has a compulsion, or strong need to drink
Cannot manage tension or stress without drinking
Loss of control
Cannot limit drinking and is preoccupied with alcohol
Physical dependence
May experience withdrawal symptoms
Tolerance
A need to drink increasingly greater amounts of alcohol in order to feel its effects
Health, family, and legal problems
Repeated injuries, multiple drunk driving citations, and has frequent arguments and generally poor relationships with family members

14. Factors Affecting Alcoholics
Scientific evidence suggests a genetic link to alcoholism
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that children of alcoholics are 4 times more likely to become alcoholics
Does not mean that a person will become an alcoholic
Environmental factors include:
Family
Friends
Culture
Peer Pressure
Availability of alcohol
Stress

15. Stages of Alcoholism Stage 1 – Abuse
Begins with social drinking in an attempt to relax
Physical and psychological dependence to manage stress develops
Person begins to drink and become intoxicated regularly, which can lead to blackouts and memory loss
Person needs to consume more alcohol to feel the desired effect
May become a problem drinker

16. Stages of Alcoholism Stage 2 – Dependence
Person reaches a point where he or she cannot stop drinking and is physically dependent on the drug
Alcohol becomes the person’s central focus
Drinker tries to hide the problem
Performance at work, school or home suffers
Drinker makes excuses and blames others for problems

17. Stages of Alcoholism Stage 3 – Addiction
Drinking is the most important thing in a person’s life
Addiction is out of control
Drinker does not realize or acknowledge this fact
Because of liver damage is common at this stage, less alcohol is needed to produce the desired intoxication
If drinking stops severe withdrawal symptoms would appear

18. Effects on Family and Society
Estimated 14 million alcoholics in the United States
Alcohol use is a factor in the 4 leading causes of accidental death
Car accidents
Falls
Drowning
House Fires
Alcohol plays a major role in violent crimes
About 40% of violent crimes are alcohol-related
2/3 of victims who encounter domestic violence report that alcohol was a factor in the crime
Nearly ½ of all homicide victims have alcohol in the bloodstreams

19. Effects on Family and Society
Alcoholism has indirect, as well as direct, effects on people associated with alcoholics
May be involved in a process known as codependency
Codependents learn to ignore their own needs and focus their energy and emotions on the needs of the alcoholic

20. Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
Alcoholism cannot be cured but can be treated
2/3 of all alcoholics who try to recover do so with proper treatment
Steps to Recovery include:
Step 1 – Admission
Step 2 – Detoxification
Step 3 – Counseling
Step 4 - Recovery

21. Treatment for Alcohol Abuse
Sobriety is a lifelong commitment
There are many resources to help people who have a drinking problem
Family and friends of problem drinkers can also get help from various resources

22. Where to Get Help for Alcohol Abuse
Al-Anon/Alateen – helps families and friends of alcoholics deal with and recover from the effects of living with an alcoholic
Alcoholics Anonymous – provides heal for alcohol users of all ages
National Association for Children of Alcoholics – provides help for children of alcoholics
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information – provides information about alcohol and other drugs
National Drug and Treatment Referral Routing Services – provides treatment referral and information about treatment facilities