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

Binge Drinking andBlood Alcohol Level

Arts Academy at Benjamin RushThis 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

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


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


The Frequency and Effects of Binge-Drinking Among College Students

Table 12.2


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


Before we go further…..

What is a drink and what other factors determine

Blood Alcohol level aka Blood Alcohol concentration


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


Psychological and Physical Effects of Various Blood-Alcohol Concentration Levels

Table 12.3


Approximate Blood Alcohol Concentration Based on Body Weight and Number of Drinks

Figure 12.3


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


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)


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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.


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?

Documents

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