Alcohol

Depressant – may cause blurred vision, confusion, decreased alertness, poor coordination, drowsiness, and even death

Why People/Teens DrinkReligionParties, celebrations, holidaysCompliment foodAdvertisementsAvailabilityFamily /EnvironmentForget about ProblemsStress

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse means having unhealthy or dangerous drinking habits, such as drinking every day or drinking too much at a time.

Short-Term Effects

Accidents – DWI, falls, drowning, etc.Overdose (can cause the heart and breathing to stop)ViolenceWeight gain or malnutritionBlackouts – periods of time the drinker cannot recallAlcohol poisoningHangover – nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, headache, general sick feeling

Sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy

Long-Term EffectsBrain Damage – destroys nerve cells

Digestive Disorders – can lead to cancer in the stomach, throat, esophagus, and mouth

Heartburn and Ulcers

Cirrhosis of the Liver – useless scar tissue that replaces normal liver tissue

Heart Disease – increases blood pressure and heart rate

Alcohol Dependency- need alcohol to get through the day

Alcoholism – the physical and mental dependence on alcohol

Nerve damage

Kidney damage

Death

Reverse tolerance – less alcohol causes intoxication

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Factors that Impact BAC:GenderAge Height/WeightAmount of Food In StomachRate of Consumption (how fast they drink)

Amount of alcohol consumed

Drinking Games: Binge Drinking Alcohol in Disguise

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol dependence occurs when a person has a physical or emotional dependence on the use of alcohol that leads to significant impairment or distress.

A person is diagnosed as being alcohol-dependent if at least 3 of the following are true. The person:

Needs larger amounts of alcohol to feel its effects (tolerance). Has withdrawal symptoms (such as shakiness, confusion, or agitation)

when he or she does not drink alcohol, or continues to drink alcohol to avoid these symptoms.

Drinks alcohol in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than intended.

Constantly thinks about or tries to cut down on or control drinking but is not successful.

Spends a great deal of time trying to get alcohol, using it, or recovering from its effects.

Avoids important activities because of alcohol use. Continues to drink even though it causes or makes worse another

health condition (such as an ulcer), or causes legal or work problems.

Alcohol Dependent is also known as ALCOHOLISM

Alcoholism is a long-term (chronic) disease. It's not a weakness or a lack of willpower. Like many other diseases, it has a course that can be predicted, has known symptoms, and is influenced by your genes and your life situation.

The Early Adaptive Stage of Alcoholism

• In the early stage of alcoholism, individuals tend to pick up the bottle for the pleasurable effects of alcohol—perceived high, euphoria. This drinking is for a good time, to relieve stress, and as an escape from life..

• In the early stage of alcoholism, adaptation takes a central role.

• While an individual is drinking their body experiences physical and mental stress with many normal bodily functions thrown out of balance due to alcohol.

• In attempts to retain normal function, cells make specific changes in their structure. These changes are what allow the body to perceivably function normally while under the influence of alcohol.

Middle Stage of Alcoholism

The middle stage introduces withdrawal symptoms to the alcoholic. When he or she stops drinking for a certain period of time, the body – that has adapted to the continuous alcohol intake – now suffers physical pain.

The discomfort experienced during withdrawal is what drives the alcoholic to drink. And the vicious cycle continues…

Cravings

One of the main differences between the early stage of alcoholism and the middle stage is why individuals decide to drink in each stage.

When a person’s alcoholism has escalated to the middle stage, alcohol’s pleasurable effects no longer take precedence, rather, he or she drinks for medication—to “cure” pain often derived from previous drinking.

Late Stage of AlcoholismThe middle stages are the first signs of deterioration ,in the late stage of alcoholism we see increasing toxicity and damage to body organs and systems.

The mental and physical health of the alcoholic have suffered immensely and are more visible to others. The alcoholic’s physical strength, and mental stability are severely damaged and their immune system is highly susceptible to disease and infection.

Below are the major medical consequences of alcoholism in reaching its final stage:Heart FailureFatty Liver, Hepatitis, and CirrhosisGastrointestinal DisordersRespiratory Tract DiseasesCancerPancreatitisMalnutrition

Fetal Alcohol SyndromeBirth Defects:

- deformed face

- delayed growth

- heart defects

- poor motor development

- behavior problems

This can occur after just one episode of binge drinking

TreatmentDetoxification – removing all alcohol from the body.

Rehabilitation – as recovery continues help is given for problems caused by the drinking. This is where people learn to live without alcohol.

Support GroupsA.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous) – a group made up of

recovery alcoholics. This group was founded in 1938 and have over a million members.

Ala-teen – provides help for teens that live with alcoholics.

Al-anon – for family and friends of an alcoholic

SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions

MADD – Mothers Against Destructive Decisions

DefinitionsBinge Drinking - 4 or more drinks for a female or five or

more drinks for a male in one time period.

Withdrawal – Negative symptoms a person experiences when they stop using a drug they are dependent on.

Enabler – People who unintentionally protect addicts from the consequences of their behavior

Synergism – increases another drugs effects. Example – sleeping pills and alcohol