ALCOHOL & Drug Use

Adolescent Alcohol Use “Scientific evidence suggests that even modest alcohol consumption in late childhood and adolescence can result in permanent brain damage”. – American Medical Association “Among current drinkers aged 12-17, 31% suffered extreme levels of psychological distress, and 39% exhibited serious behavioral problems” – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Drugs & Alcohol Tolerance = the body becomes used to the effects of a medicine/drug. Euphoria: feeling intense well-being or elation. Ethanol: type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. Withdrawal: person stops using medicine (nervousness, insomnia, headaches, vomiting, chills, and cramps).

ALCOHOL Depressant – drug that slows the central nervous system Alcohol = general term for a class of chemical compounds. When referring to alcohol as a drink, it means a liquid made by fermenting sugar and plant materials to form an intoxicating drink. Intoxication – body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced.

Alcohol Binge Drinking – consumption of five or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting Alcohol Poisoning – potentially fatal physical reaction to an alcohol overdose –Mental confusion, stupor, coma, inability to be aroused, vomiting/seizures –Slow respiration, irregular heartbeat, hypothermia, and severe dehydration

Short –Term Effects of Alcohol Brain – becomes less able to control the body Blood Vessels – causes blood vessels to expand (body temp. to drop) Stomach – some alcohol passes quickly; acid production increases and causes nausea/vomiting

Short –Term Effects Liver – toxic chemicals released as the liver metabolizes alcohol. Can cause inflammation and scarring. Kidneys – increase urine output = causes dehydration Lungs – carbon dioxide formed by liver Breathing – depresses nerves that control breathing and other involuntary actions

Long – Term Effects Brain/Spinal Cord: Impaired senses (vision, hearing, smell, & pain perception), hallucinations, blackouts, loss of sensation in hands/feet, early on-set of dementia, mood and personality changes, & anxiety. Circulatory: high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, damage to heart muscle, increase risk of heart disease and stroke.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol Liver: painful inflammation, cirrhosis, cancer, hemorrhage, liver failure. Gastrointestinal: stomach lining inflamed, ulcers, and cancer. Pancreas: painful, bleeding Intestines: irritation of lining, ulcers, cancer of intestines and colon.

Long Term Effects of Alcohol Reproductive System: reduced fertility, impaired sexual performance, impotence, decreased sperm count, increased risk of breast cancer (woman), early onset of menopause, & irregular menstrual cycle. General Body: weight gain, headaches, & muscle weakness.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome A group of alcohol-related birth defects that include physical and mental problems. Baby born with small head and deformities of the face, hands, or feet. Heart, liver, kidney, vision, and hearing problems. FAS leading cause of mental retardation in the U.S.

Blood Alcohol Level BAL = the amount of alcohol in your blood stream. Drink alcohol > stomach > blood stream. –1) Amount of blood in your system (weight) –2) Amount of alcohol you consume over time (faster = higher BAL) –3) Liver metabolizes drink/hour, the rest builds up in your blood.

BAL.02 = Mellow/less inhibited.05 = less alert/coordination impairment.08 = Drunk Driving.10 = Behavior/mood swings/reaction time.15 = impaired balance & movement.30 = Many lose consciousness.40 = Lose consciousness/ some die.50 = Breathing stops.

Dependence & Alcoholism Psychological Dependence: person believes a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally. Physical Dependence: person has a chemical need for the drug. Alcoholism: disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol.

Symptoms Craving = need for alcohol, cannot manage without it (stress, work, family,etc) Loss of control = no limit. Preoccupied with alcohol. Physical Dependence = withdrawal (nausea, sweating, shakes, anxiety) Tolerance = increase amounts to feel effects Health, family, legal problems

Stages of Alcoholism Stage 1 = ABUSE –Physical & psychological dependence black-outs and memory loss (consumption increases = problem drinker) Stage 2 = DEPENDENCE –Physical Dependence (alcohol becomes th person’s central focus) Stage 3 = ADDICTION –Most important thing in person’s life. Person is out of control and to stop drinking => withdrawal