Alcohol 101: A Step Closer to Stopping Abuse and Misuse

What is Alcohol? A drug A depressant (slows the function of the central nervous system) Created when yeast meets sugar Yeast + Grapes = Wine Yeast + Barley = Beer Yeast + Plants with Sugar = Liquor

1 - 12 oz beer = 1 - 5 oz glass of wine = 1 ½ shots of liquor Drinking Basics 1 - 12 oz beer = 1 - 5 oz glass of wine = 1 ½ shots of liquor Beer = 2 - 6% alcohol Wine = 8 - 20% alcohol Liquor = 40 - 50+% alcohol

Drinking Basics Cont. BAC – Blood Alcohol Concentration – the amount of alcohol contained in a person’s blood It typically takes 1 hour for the body to metabolize 1 standard drink

How does alcohol work? 1. People drink alcohol 2. It’s absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine 3. It enters the central nervous system which controls body functions

Short Term Effects Slurred speech Impaired judgment Drowsiness Vomiting Diarrhea/Upset stomach Headaches Distorted vision Distorted hearing Impaired judgment Blackouts Anemia Decreased coordination Breathing difficulties Unconsciousness

Long Term Effects Unintentional injuries Intentional injuries Injuries that happen but were not planned Leading cause of death and disability Examples: Car accidents, Falls, Drowning Intentional injuries Injuries that happen because of purposeful human action Examples: Gun injuries, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

Long Term Effects Cont. Increased family problems Broken relationships Alcohol poisoning – when the body becomes poisoned by large amounts of alcohol Can cause: severe vomiting, low blood sugar, seizures, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing Could cause DEATH

Long Term Effects High blood pressure Stroke Liver disease Sexual problems Brain Damage Ulcers Malnutrition Cancer

Alcohol Affects the Whole Body

Why do teens drink? Big Question?!? 1. Curiosity 2. Reduce Stress 3. Relax 4. To Fit In 5. To Feel Older 6. Peer Pressure

Types of Drinkers Non-drinker – someone who self reports they do not drink Moderate drinker – someone who currently drinks but does not consume more than 5 drinks in one occasion Binge drinker – someone who drinks 5 or more drinks in one occasion Alcoholic – someone who suffers from alcoholism

Binge Drinking Heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time Consumption of 5 or more drinks in a row during a period of 2 weeks Heavy binge drinking – having three or more of such incidences in a 2 week period Most life threatening consequence of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning About 90% of under age drinking is in the form of binge drinking

Consequences of Binge Drinking Alcohol poisoning – affects the body’s involuntary reflexes like breathing and gagging – could choke to death on vomit More likely to be overweight Higher blood pressure Greater risk of STDs and unplanned pregnancies Struggle with school Disrupt sleep patterns Loss of friendships

Alcoholism Major drinking problem Typically when someone uses alcohol compulsively and out of control Person will have 4 symptoms Craving – a need to drink Lost of control – not being able to limit your drinking Physical dependence – withdrawal systems when alcohol use stops Tolerance – in order to get drunk the person will have to drink larger amounts The alcohol basically controls the person’s life

Alcohol Affects More Than Just the Abuser Drinking and driving kills thousands every year – almost half of all car accidents involved drunk drivers Domestic violence – some people get angry and violent and hurt their spouses and families

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Mental and physical defects that may develop in a fetus if the mother consumes alcohol while pregnant

What factors contribute to how intoxicated you are? the amount of alcohol you drink the amount of food you eat before or while drinking the length of time you drink body weight gender

DWI Laws Zero Tolerance Law: A driver under 21 who drives with a .02 BAC to .07 BAC violates the Zero Tolerance Law. DWAI/Alcohol: Driving While Ability Impaired (by alcohol) - more than .05 BAC to .07 BAC DWI: Driving While Intoxicated - .08 BAC or higher Aggravated DWI: Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated - .18 BAC or higher.

Consequences of Violating the Law Zero Tolerance Law – civil penalty, suspended license Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI) – pay fine, suspended license for 90 days Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – pay fine, lose license for 6 months, possible jail time Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (A-DWI) – pay fine, lose license for 1 year, possible jail time

What NOT to do if you decide to drink! DRIVE! Take prescriptions or other drugs Over drink Mix up the types of drinks you have

**Drinking doesn’t have to be the end of your life!** There is Hope! If you or someone you know has trouble with drinking you can get help! Talk to a parent Talk to a counselor Talk to someone you trust Remove yourself from the people who also drink Alcoholics Anonymous **Drinking doesn’t have to be the end of your life!**

Note from the Author Thank you to those that took the time to watch and read through my notes. I hope that you have a better understanding about alcohol and how damaging it can be to your whole life. Please consider yourself and others when making the choice to drink and drink responsibly. - Andrea Ellis