© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter Eight: Taking Control of Alcohol Use

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Nature of Alcoholic Beverages  Ethyl alcohol or ethanol  Produced through fermentation  May be concentrated through distillation  Alcohol content  Beer: 4%  Wine: 10-14%  Port, sherry: 20%  Distilled liquors: %  Proof = Twice the alcohol concentration

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Nature of Alcoholic Beverages  Alcohol = central nervous system depressant  May appear to act as a stimulant in social situations because it depresses the inhibitory centers of the brain

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Physiological Effects of Alcohol Consumption  Absorbed primarily in small intestine  Factors that influence absorption  Strength of beverage  Number of drinks consumed  Speed of consumption  Presence of food  Body chemistry  Race/ethnicity  Gender  Metabolized in the liver

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Gender and Alcohol Absorption  Women absorb more alcohol more quickly than men  Less alcohol dehydrogenase  Proportionately more body fat  Proportionately less body water  Effects of menstrual cycle

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)  BAC = percentage of alcohol in a measured quantity of blood  BAC rises when alcohol is consumed faster than it is metabolized by the liver  BAC: 0.05% Changes in behavior  BAC: 0.10% Decrease in motor function  BAC: 0.25% Body starts to shut down  Acute alcohol intoxication = potentially fatal elevation of BAC, often resulting from heavy, rapid consumption of alcohol

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol Poisoning  Danger signs: Call 911  After heavy drinking in a short period of time  Unconsciousness, deep stupor  Shock  Vomiting  Weak, rapid pulse  Irregular breathing, pale or bluish skin  Continue monitoring anyone who has passed out

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. First Aid for Acute Alcohol Intoxication  Seek medical assistance: Call 911  Lie person on their side to avoid choking if vomiting occurs  Position head lower than the rest of the body to help prevent asphyxiation  Monitor breathing and pulse rate

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Drinkers live longer???? Moderate drinking, which is defined as one to three drinks per day, is associated with the lowest mortality rates in alcohol studies. Moderate alcohol use (especially when the beverage of choice is red wine) is thought to improve heart health, circulation and sociability, which can be important because people who are isolated don't have as many family members and friends who can notice and help treat health problems. Read more: ixzz11lhDN2Gt

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Patterns of Alcohol Use  Reasons people drink  Effective, affordable, legal psychoactive drug  Reduced inhibitions  Associated with positive events and characteristics, “good times”

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol Consumption  One drink:  12 ounces of beer  5 ounces of wine  1.5 ounces of liquor  Current use: Consumption of least one drink in the past 30 days  Binge drinking: Consumption of five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the last 2-weeks

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Current, Binge, and Heavy Alcohol Use among Persons Ages 12 or Older

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. College Drinking: Negative Consequences

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. How Much Alcohol Do College Students Really Drink?

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol and Wellness: Summary  Alcohol-related medical problems  Effects of chronic use  Fetal alcohol syndrome  Alcohol-related psychological problems  Alcoholism  Alcohol abuse  Alcohol-related social problems  Accidents  Crime and violence  Suicide  Alcohol-related family problems

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Effects of Chronic Alcohol Use on the Body  Chronic malnutrition  Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome  Cirrhosis and other liver disorders  Cardiovascular disease  Cancer  Infectious diseases

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Effects of Alcohol Use on the Body

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)  Alcohol crosses the placenta and can cause birth defects in unborn children  Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)  Low birth weight  Mental retardation  Facial abnormalities  Heart problems  Fetal alcohol effects (FAE)  Partial expression of FAS

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol-Related Psychological Problems  Alcohol dependence (alcoholism)  Primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental influences  Tolerance, withdrawal, pattern of compulsive use  Physical addiction, serious health effects  Alcohol abuse  Pattern of drinking that creates personal difficulties or difficulties for other people—harmful consequences  Consequences/indications  Missing classes, reduced academic performance  Blackouts  Legal problems

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol-Related Social Problems  Accidents  Motor vehicle collisions  Falls  Drowning  Fires and burns  Crime and Violence  Suicide

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol-Related Family and Relationship Problems  Alcohol and the family  Dysfunctional family behaviors  Associated problems  Enabling  Denial  Codependence  Dual addiction  Adult children of alcoholic parents  Women and alcohol—special concerns

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Responsible Use of Alcohol  Becoming a responsible drinker  Avoid parties with heavy drinking and people who are drinking heavily  Choose non-alcoholic drinks  Participate with others in positive activities  Hosting a party responsibly  Host negligence  Designated drivers

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Organizations That Support Responsible Drinking  Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)  Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)  BACCHUS  GAMMA Peer Education Network

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Alcohol Advertising  Targets minorities, women, and youth  College advertising  Wine cooler ads  Concentration of liquor stores and advertising in low-income, ethnic communities

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Treatment for Alcohol Problems  Rehabilitation centers  Hospitals  Medication  Counseling  Support groups  Alcoholics Anonymous  Al-Anon and Alateen

© 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter Eight: Taking Control of Alcohol Use