1. Binge Drinking and Blood Alcohol Level Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush This power point was downloaded 11/2010. It was originally created by Pearson Education Inc and freely distributed via the internet for use on college campuses. It has been edited for High School Health class

2. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Drinking Continuum  1) Occasional = small amounts every once in a while  2) Light = small amounts on a regular basis  3) Social = Medium or moderate amounts on a regular basis  4) Problem = Drinks to the point of getting drunk without knowing it on a regular basis  5) Binge = Drinks a whole lot at one time on purpose  6) Excessive = Drinks a lot and often  7) Alcoholic = drinks most of the time. Alcohol can control life. Many Physical, Mental, Social, and Emotional Problems

3. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Drinking Continuum Binge Drinking is most common form of alcohol abuse And a serious problem among college students Defined as 5 or more drinks for a man and 4 or more drinks for a woman

4. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The Frequency and Effects of Binge-Drinking Among College Students Table 12.2

5. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Women And Alcoholism  Trend is for women, especially college-age women to drink more heavily  Women get addicted faster with less alcohol  Women alcoholics have death rates 50 to 100 percent higher than male-alcoholics  Only 14% of women who need treatment get it

6. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Before we go further….. What is a drink and what other factors determine Blood Alcohol level aka Blood Alcohol concentration

7. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or Blood Alcohol Level (BAL)  BAC – is the ratio of alcohol to total blood volume  Despite individual differences, alcohol produces some general behavioral effects depending on BAC  Learned behavioral tolerance – person learns to modify their behavior to appear sober despite a high BAC  The Legal LIMIT for a person 21 and over in PA is.08 or 8- 100th or 2/25 The LEGAL LIMIT for a person under 21 in PA is 0.00 However,.02 is lowest detectable amount with current tests

8. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Psychological and Physical Effects of Various Blood-Alcohol Concentration Levels Table 12.3

9. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Approximate Blood Alcohol Concentration Based on Body Weight and Number of Drinks Figure 12.3

10. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Absorption And Metabolism  Factors that influence how quickly body absorbs alcohol: Alcohol concentration in beverage (includes “proof” of alcohol and mixed drinks vs “regular”) Amount of food and non-alcoholic drinks in stomach Metabolism Age, Gender, diet, other factors Body Mass Index Mood Use of other drugs such as Tobacco or Marijuana

11. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Other factors that influences BAL/BAC Body Weight Body Height Personal Tolerance Maturity level Speed in which a person consumes alcohol Exercise (dangerous due to decreased motor functions)

12. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Women And Alcohol  Different body fat composition than men  Women have half the amount of alcohol hydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. If a woman and a man drink the same amount of alcohol, the woman will have a BAC that is 30% higher

13. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Drinking and Driving Even one alcoholic beverage begins to impair coordination and can make driving unsafe. The more alcohol a person drinks, the more dangerous he or she is behind the wheel. Slower reaction times and impaired judgment make drunk drivers dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians. Drunk drivers are said to be driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol if their blood alcohol level is.08 or higher.

14. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Poisoning  Death from alcohol poisoning can be caused by central nervous system and respiratory depression or inhalation of vomit or fluid into the lungs  Signs of alcohol poisoning include: Weak, rapid pulse Unusual or irregular breathing pattern Cool, damp, pale, bluish skin Mental confusion Vomiting Seizures

15. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism  Alcohol abuse – interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships or entails any violation of the law  Alcoholism – when personal and health problems related to alcohol use are severe and stopping alcohol use results in withdrawal symptoms

16. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcoholism Alcoholism is an illness characterized by a physical and psychological need for alcohol. Alcoholics are unable to limit the amount they drink. They develop a tolerance for alcohol and need to drink more and more alcohol to experience its effects.

17. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings The Causes Of Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism  Biological and family factors Alcoholism is 4-5x more common among children of alcoholics  Social and cultural factors Social pressure Family attitude toward drinking

18. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcoholism (cont’d.) A person may be alcoholic if he or she: Becomes drunk often. Drinks alone. Stops participating in other activities so that he or she can drink. Makes excuses for drinking. Promises to quit but does not. Refuses to admit how much he or she drinks. Experiences blackouts.

19. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Problem Drinking? It’s not just the drinker’s problem  Drinking and Driving one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States  Violence or abuse towards others. Alcohol involved in more than ½ of murders, suicides, sexual violence, and violence in general  Can cause Birth Defects including Mental Retardation, slow growth, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Pre- Mature labor  One of the top 5 leading causes of Divorce  Excessive use can cause mental illness  Job Loss => no money => loss of home?  Loss of driving privileges  INCREASED SEXUAL RISK TAKING

20. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Effects Of Alcoholism On The Family  Children in alcoholic dysfunctional families generally assume at least one of the following roles: Family hero Scapegoat Lost child Mascot

21. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Costs To Society  Half of all traffic accidents are attributable to alcohol  In 1998, alcohol related costs to society were $184.6 billion when health insurance, criminal justice costs, treatment costs, and lost productivity were factored in  Responsible for > 25% of nation’s medical costs and lost earnings  Every underage drinker costs society and average of $4,680 a year.

22. Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings Alcohol Discussion Question:  Discuss situations when you have been drinking or you know someone who was drinking and thought that you/they were in control but may have had a high blood alcohol content. Can you safely trust your own judgment?