Alcohol Use & Adolescence

What is alcohol? ●Classified as a depressant in the Central Nervous System (CNS) ○Effects? ■Breaks down body functions (respiration, circulation and nervous system activity) ●It is the product of Fungal Metabolism ○Yeast and other organisms added to grams, cactus, corn, and grapes to cause FERMENTATION ■Creates “wastes,” collected and distilled to form ethyl alcohol, or ethanol

History ●Neolithic Age 10,000 B.C. ○Discovery of beer jugs in the late Stone Age ○Egyptian pictographs around 4,000 B.C of wine (red and white) ●In Europe.. ○Italians and French generally used alcohol (wine) for religious ceremonies and to accompany meals ■Easily transported and stored ○Gradually used for enjoyment, recreation, and socialization ●Meanwhile in the United States.. ○Eighteenth amendment in 1919 bans the sale and transportation of intoxicating liquors (21st amendment in 1939 repeals this) ■Opens the door to create ethyl alcohol behind closed doors, this tasted horrible!

Alcohol use back then..

Alcohol Use & Adolescents Today TAKE A LOOK………….WHAT DO YOU SEE????

Underage drinking & the consequences... →What are the results of underage drinking? →What are the consequences adolescents face? Risky behaviors: Underage drinking can lead to many negative consequences. Risky behavior affects many areas of an adolescent’s life. ○ Physical effects ○ Health problems- Long term and short term ○ Social & Legal issues

Underage drinking & the consequences... Physical dangers : ○Dangerous stunts, physical dangers, ○Drinking and driving ○Sexual-irresponsible sexual behavior ○Violence-higher risk of physical & sexual assault ○Higher risk for suicide & homicide  Binge drinking: ○Drinking 5 or more drinks on one occasion ○More common in boys than girls- ○YRBS % have admitted to binge drinking of 5 or more & 6.1 admitted to 10 or more drinks per occasion  Using other drugs:  Synergistic effect-Very dangerous and amplifies drug affects ○Other drugs-Teens tend to mix drugs with alcohol such as marijuana & ecstasy ○Mixing alcohol with opiods ( heroin or tranquilizer most common and most dangerous) pill parties  Blackouts: ○ Blacking out-When short term memory shuts down (video link on last slide)

Underage drinking & the consequences… Health risks→ Short Term & Long Term consequences Short term: ○Hangovers ○Drowsiness ○Slurred speech ○Impaired judgement ○Unconsciousness Long term: ○Complications resulting in disease w/alcohol abuse- Liver & heart disease ○Cognitive issues-(example: memory problems, blackouts) ○Changes in brain development (effects on developing prefrontal cortex) ○Alcoholism- long term effects over an extended period of time ○Leads to using other drugs w/alcohol & the effects (stimulants) ○Death due to alcohol poisoning or alcohol related accidents

Underage drinking and the consequences → Social problems ○Fighting or anger and emotional problems ○Withdrawal & lack of participation in youth activities ○Relationship problems, friends & family ○School problems, more absences and poor or failing grades ○Unwanted, unplanned and unprotected sexual activity → Legal situations ○Assault (physical & sexual) ○Problems with the law, D.U.I., D.W.I. ○Arrests & or jail time

Mortality Rates in USA, 2013 Alcohol vs. Other Drugs

Alcohol Related Deaths by State

Punishments for Drug Possession First-time Offenders Drug Minimum PunishmentMaximum Punishment Cocaine5 years in prison40 years in prison Heroin5 years in prison40 years in prison MarijuanaFine5 years in prison AlcoholNo penaltyN/A

Economic Costs of Drug Use

DUI/DWI Over 1.2 million DUI’s in 2011 Males were more likely than females to drive drunk The rate of drunk driving is highest among 21 to 25 year olds (23.4 percent). Average cost for a DUI is $10,000

Alcohol Related Statistics In 2012, 3.3 million deaths worldwide Alcohol contributes to over 200 diseases and injury-related health conditions Globally, alcohol misuse is the fifth leading risk factor for premature death and disability; among people between the ages of 15 and 49, it is the FIRST.

Alcohol and its effects on Children Alcoholism is know as a family Disease - 76 Million Americans have been exposed to Alcoholism in the family -About 10% of U.S. children live with at least one parent with an alcohol problem

Alcoholism and Children -Children are 4 times more likely to become an alcoholic -Statistics show that 30% of women who didn’t complete high school grew up in families with an alcoholic parent

Alcoholics Impact Parental Alcoholism causes children to -have low self esteem -feel guilty -fear abandonment -not have friends -feel responsible -have obsessive disorders -have more nightmares -have poor self-image

Alcohol and Children FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) -can cause the baby to have mental retardation and other mild disabilities -FAS is 100% preventable babies are born each year with FAS

Alcohol and Family -Male offsprings of parents with alcohol addictions are 1½ to 2x more likely to develop alcoholism -Daughters are up to 3x more likely Alcoholism is closely related to violence -30% of father daughter incest cases involve alcoholic parent -75% of Domestic violence cases involve a family member who is an alcoholic

Alcohol and Family Codependency can develop - unconscious addiction to another's abnormal behavior -Devotes life to controlling the Alcoholics addiction though most times it is ineffective -Do everything in their power to cover up the spouses problem like, clean up the alcoholics vomit, make excuses for work or school, thus furthering the problem

Treatment Alcoholics Anonymous -to help alcoholic dependents stop drinking Al-Anon and Alateen -help families of alcoholics,to help family members understand that they are not responsible for an alcoholic’s drinking problems

Is Alcohol Beneficial? Drinking in Moderation- Delving Deeper -Red Wine Status -Antioxidants -HDL Levels

Other Beneficial Aspects -Gallstones -Type 2 Diabetes -Easing Digestion

Moderation is Key What you drink vs. How you drink Seven days vs. One day

HELPFUL HINTS TO EDUCATORS Behavioral warning signs of alcohol use –Skipping class, declining grades, fighting and disruptive behavior –Loss of interest in extracurricular activities - decreased motivation –Complaints from teachers or classmates –Missing money, valuables, borrowing and stealing money –Acting isolated, silent, withdrawn, engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors –Preoccupation with alcohol and drug-related lifestyle in music, clothing and posters –Sudden change in relationships, friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.

HELPFUL HINTS TO EDUCATORS Psychological warning signs of alcohol use –Unexplained, confusing change in personality and/or attitude. –Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing. –Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation. –Lack of motivation; inability to focus, appears lethargic or “spaced out.” –Appears fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, with no apparent reason.

HELPFUL HINTS TO EDUCATORS Spotting physical warning signs of alcohol use Eyes that are bloodshot or pupils that are smaller or larger than normal. Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain. Seizures without a history of epilepsy Deterioration in personal grooming or physical appearance. Impaired coordination, injuries/accidents/bruises that they are unaware of. Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing. Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.

HELPFUL HINTS TO EDUCATORS VIDEOS & TOOLS FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION:  Health effects:  Agency links: Alcoholics Anonymous- Alanon Family Groups- Drug Free Organization-  Communication tools: