Reasons why people drink: Parameters for determining good vs. bad reasons: Is it legal? Does it hurt you or someone else? Does it lead to problems?

Reasons why people drink: DRUG vs. BEVERAGE There is NO good reason for drinking… without RESPONSIBILITY!

Statistics: *66% All Auto Accidents *50% Fatal Auto Accidents 37% Suicides 40% Snowmobile Accidents ALCOHOL(C 2 H 5 OH) ALCOHOL (C 2 H 5 OH)

65% Fire deaths *85% Rapes *85% HIV / teen pregnancies 70% Child Abuse 70% Homicides 68% Drownings

(skip) 56% Assaults/Fights in home 50% Skiing accidents 71% Accidental poisoning 55% All arrests

Adults:18% light 68% Drink 38% moderate 12% heavy 32% Abstain completely NYS 9-12 = 52% do not drink 12th = 37% binge/month 12th = 37% binge/month GCS 8 th =60% have never tried 91% are not regular users 91% are not regular users

Characteristics of Alcohol: Depressant-slows down CNS “Empty Calories”- 150 cal/drink “Proof”-amount of alcohol drink (2 times the % of alcohol)

Fermentation: “yeast urine ” cider

Distillation:

Oxidation of alcohol: Alcohol is oxidized in the LIVER at the rate of 1 drink (1/2 oz. alcohol) per hour. The 2 end-products of alcohol are carbon dioxide and water.

Which will get you Intoxicated faster?

Standard serving sizes:

determine Factors that determine the effects of alcohol: body size, weight how much you drink how fast you drink how much you’ve eaten other drugs tolerance

Short-term,immediate, negative effects: ** Underage = $50 **Adults who supply to minor = $500/90days

“Man, they were right, this is really fun!”

Long-term effects: stomach (ulcers), pancreas, cirrhosis of liver, high blood pressure, low blood sugar, heart damage, brain damage, development of alcoholism, malnutrition, alcohol psychosis.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: -lower size, weight -mental retardation/learning disabilities -heart defects -birth defects.

Drinking and Driving: 66% of all auto accidents 50% of all fatal auto accidents 23,000 people die each yr. 80% of all fatalities were people who were NOT drinking (18,400) (innocent victims)

535,000 injuries each year 1 death every 22 minutes

“FACTS NOT FEELINGS!” (Designated Driver – when?) Methods to establish BAC Methods to establish BAC: breathalyzer, blood, urine tests Long before you “feel” or “act” intoxicated, it is already unsafe and illegal to drive.

Drinking and Driving : % = DWAI (driving while abilities impaired).08% (3/1/03) = DWI (driving while intoxicated).20% (.22% average level of those arrested!).40% = unconscious(pass out)911.50% = coma.60% = death

DWAI=$ , 15 days jail, 90 days suspended license DWI=$ , 1 yr. jail, 6 months revoked license (Under 21=lose license 1 yr. or until 21, whichever is longest)

Zero Tolerance=Any amount under 21=lose license 6 months (‘96) Arrested=Automatic loss of license

How to STOP DWI How to STOP DWI?: car ignition/ankle bracelet

Alcoholism Alcoholism: *A disease in which a person’s use of alcohol interferes negatively in any area of his/her life (job, school, family); and once he/she starts drinking, they lose control and cannot stop. “Recovering Alcoholic” - an alcoholic who is no longer drinking.

-17 million adult alcoholics -4.5 million teen alcoholics -costs $100 billion each yr. -(each alcoholic affects 20 others) -(ratio male:female = 2:1) -(1 in 8 drinkers is an alcoholic) -(Denial / Rationalization)

How to help How to help: Refer to: (alcoholic) (family) Alcoholics Anonymous County Mental Health Center Special Hospital Alanon Alateen Clergy

How would you tell a friend you think his/her mother may be an alcoholic?

EX. Trespassing, theft, vandalism, breaking and entering, stealing, illegal possession of alcohol/pot, disturbing the peace, DWI, etc.