Alcohol

Compiled by Todd Corabi

Some slides were taken from

Glencoe Health’s pre-made

Alcohol presentation…teen

health curriculum

What Is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a drug created by a chemical reaction in some foods, especially fruits and grains.

Found in beer, wine, whiskey, and other beverages, alcohol affects a person physically and mentally.

Using alcohol may result in chemical dependency on this substance and cause several health problems.

How Alcohol Affects the Body

A person can feel the effects of alcohol just a few minutes after taking the first drink.

People who drink large quantities of alcohol also risk serious long-term effects such as permanent damage to organs and even death.

Understanding the Risks

People who drink alcohol or take other drugs expose themselves to serious and deadly physical, mental/emotional, and social harm.

Being aware of the consequences of alcohol and drug use can help you:

Stay away from risk situations. Make the right decision if you find yourself in a

risk situation. Feel confident about choosing not to use

alcohol or drugs.

Some short term physical effects

BrainImpaired judgment, reasoning, memory, concentration; slowed reaction time, decreased coordination; slurred speech; distorted vision and hearing; reduced inhibitions; alcohol poisoning, causing unconsciousness and even death.

HeartIncreased heart rate.

Blood VesselsEnlarged blood vessels, creating false sense of warmth.

LiverProcesses of the liver, which filters out over 90% of the alcohol in the body, may become unbalanced.

StomachVomiting, which can lead to choking and death.

KidneysIncreased urination, which can result in dehydration, headache, and dizziness.

Physical Risks

Reduced strength

Low energy levels

Slowed reflexes

Loss of physical coordination

Difficulty walking, running, dancing, and playing sports

Muscle twitches and cramps

Decreased endurance

Differing Effects

The more alcohol a person drinks, the more he or she will be affected.

Other factors that determine how a person will be affected by alcohol include the following:

Size and gender Food in the stomach How fast a person drinks Other substances, such as illegal drugs, in the

body

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.

TEEN Alcohol use

Many teens begin drinking because their friends do. Often,

teens do it to “get away” or because they feel “it’s just

what you should do”. Others do it to be part of the crowd.

Regardless, alcohol consumption in the United States* is

illegal for all under 21. Anyone caught drinking runs the

risk of not being permitted to get their Driving License

until age 21. In addition, teen brains are continuing to

grow and under-age drinking may contribute to decreased

cognitive development.

(*the drinking age varies from country to country)

Some Long term physical Effects

LiverCirrhosis, or scarring and destruction of liver tissue, and liver cancer. Both can cause death.

StomachUlcers (open sores) in the stomach lining; stomach cancer.

KidneysKidney failure resulting from high blood pressure.

BrainBrain cell destruction, nervous system disorders, and memory loss.

HeartIrregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage.

Blood VesselsHigh blood pressure; stroke.

Mental/Emotional Risks

The psychological consequences of substance use are very serious:

Drug and alcohol users often feel bad about themselves and have trouble relating to others.

The ability to think and learn is impaired by alcohol and drug use.

Mental/Emotional Effects

Addiction

Trouble communicating

Depression

Lack of concentration

Anxiety

Loss ofinhibitions

Reduced ambition

Suicide

Confusion

Irritability

Anger

Poor judgment

Loss of memory

Inability to solve problems

Risks in School

Teens who use alcohol or other drugs may:

Be late or miss school often. Do poorly in school because they are unable to

pay attention. Behave in ways that get them suspended or

expelled. Miss the opportunity to be involved in school

activities. Let down classmates or teammates because of

poor performance. Lose the chance to learn new skills and

develop their abilities. Fail to meet long-term goals.

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.

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.

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

Risks to the Unborn

Use of alcohol or other drugs by pregnant females can result in:

Serious diseases and birth defects in the fetus. Delays in development and learning

disabilities. Addiction to drugs at birth. Fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes

developmental delays and psychological and behavioral problems throughout life.

Getting Help

To get help for yourself or for a friend, or family member who has an alcohol or drug problem:

Talk to trusted adults like parents, teachers, religious leaders, or counselors.

If you feel uncomfortable talking to these adults about your problems, you can turn to organizations that offer counseling and treatment.

Reasons to Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

There are many good reasons to avoid alcohol and drugs. Remind yourself:

Alcohol and drugs can harm my health. I do not show respect for myself if I use alcohol

or drugs. My future means too much to me to ruin it. I’d rather be in control of what I do. Alcohol and drugs can take away my energy. Using alcohol or drugs means breaking the

law. My true friends don’t try to convince me to use

drugs.

Alternatives to Alcohol

Finding healthy ways to spend time is a good way to avoid substance use. Here are some ideas:

Join an activity at school. Volunteer. Participate in any alcohol- and drug-free

events taking place in the community.