Alcohol and Alcoholism Chapter 15 Lessons

Lesson 4- Alcohol and Decision making Alcohol influences our social decisions People who are drinking act differently than when they are not drinking Alcohol reduces their inhibitions Inhibitions- a mental or psychological process that restrains your actions, emotions and thoughts.

Violence Alcohol impairs judgment and inhibitions Increases the chance of the drinker becoming violent May try to hurt themselves-(suicides and accidents) May try to hurt others-(fights and abuse) May destroy property or commit crimes (robbery and vandalism)

Lesson 5- Alcohol, Driving and Injuries Alcohol impairs judgment, reflexes and vision Slows Reaction time- the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus( a red light or brake lights) Never drink and drive! SADD- Students Against Destructive Decisions MADD- Mothers Against Drunk Driving

The Brain on Alcohol Blurs vision Reduces coordination Reduces memory Reduces ability to judge distances Reduces ability to make good decisions (increases risky behaviors) Reduces concentration

Lesson 6-Pressure to Drink Internal-Curiosity. What does it taste or feel like? Why do my parents or friends drink? To be accepted by your friends, do not want to be left out They think it makes them look cool or mature They have low self esteem they think alcohol will improve it To deal with problems or unpleasant emotions ** Alcohol can make things worse!!

External Pressures Advertisements-only show happy young and attractive people Sporting events promoted by alcohol companies Seeing people drinking at family gatherings, parties and other events they attend

Lesson 7- Decide not to Drink It is your decision to drink or not to drink! Consider the decision making steps-: 1.Consider your Values. 2.What are your Options? 3.Weigh the Consequences. 4.Take Action. 5.Evaluate your decision.

Resist Internal Pressures Do not use alcohol to solve problems or to help with a situation. Talk to someone instead of drinking alcohol. Seek adult input. Think about your decision before taking action. See decision making steps.

Lesson 8- Alcoholism Alcoholism- is a disease in which a person is both physically and psychologically addicted to alcohol. Symptoms: a strong craving to drink Tolerance to alcohol Loss of control Physical and psychological (emotional) dependence on alcohol

Physical Dependence Physical dependence is the body’s chemical need for a drug. Develops over time. May develop quickly or slowly. They don’t know they are dependent until they try to stop and become ill. (withdrawal)

Psychological Dependence Psychological dependence- a person’s emotional or mental need for a drug. Their life revolves around drinking alcohol Alcohol controls their personality and feelings. Alcohol plays a major role in how the deal with people especially family members.

The Alcoholic- Needs to drink to cope with responsibilities, stress and problems – to feel normal Find it almost impossible to quit- and this helpless feeling leads to more drinking Is both psychologically and physically addicted to alcohol

Factors that contribute to Alcoholism 1.Must be exposed to alcohol- you don’t become an alcoholic if you don’t drink 2.Emotional pain- they use alcohol to deal with their stress, feelings or problems 3.Genetics- some people possess the gene that makes them more likely to become an alcoholic 4.Alcoholism is a chronic illness -lasts a year or longer and requires constant care. (diabetes, heart disease) there is no cure but it is treatable.

Recovering from Alcoholism Recovery- learning to live without alcohol. Recovery halts alcoholism and the person lives a healthy normal life. A lifelong effort. Abstinence- means not drinking alcohol ever. They must want to stop. 1.First step to recovery is the decision to stop drinking. 2.Next step is treatment. Medical and counseling treatment is required.

Treatment Counseling- requires participation in support groups with other people also trying to recover Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Al-Anon-for family members of an alcoholic Alateen- for children of an alcoholic