Alcoholism: What is it? Who was not here on Monday? Speak up No Homework tonight I am missing grades for Alcohol and the Law What are we doing today? Debunking myths about alcoholism. Defining alcoholism. Warning signs of alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a disease! In 1957 the AMA defined Alcoholism as a disease. It is not: A moral problem A weakness in character or A lack of will power

How can I define addiction? An uncontrolled compulsion….. Take out your cell phones and give them to me. No Kidding

Alcoholism is a disease, marked by the inability to control one’s drinking. Craving Loss of control Physical and psychological dependence Tolerance - the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get "high"

How wide spread is it? 1 in every 13 adults abuse alcohol 1 in every 4 students lives in a home where alcohol abuse creates problems for the family. 15% of the people living in the United States are considered “problem drinkers.” Of this 15%, 5%- 10% of the males and 3%-5% of the females could be labeled as alcoholics. (NIH)

Think about what an alcoholic looks like.

How many of you were thinking this?

Stray facts Alcoholism reduces the life expectancy of the drinker by years 40% of those who start drinking before the age of 15 are much more likely to experience the disease of alcoholism.

Environment friends social norms/ attitudes curiosity availability poor self esteem depression Genetics – FAMILY MEMBERS OF AN ALCOHOLIC ARE much more likely TO DEVELOP THE DISEASE THAN PEOPLE WITH NO history of alcoholism in their family. What causes it?

What are the warning signs? What are some red flags that might indicate a person has a drinking problem? What were Ashley’s warning signs?

Alcoholism: What do you know? There isn’t any homework today. Quizzes are in the process of being graded…not done yet. What are we doing today? 1. Going over the cycle of addiction and discussing how to prevent it. 2. Identifying personal support systems 3. Group work 4. Myth vs fact

Video stream the following video: Ashley’s story. Log onto CCS web page. Click on Departments, Library HS, Middle School/High School Library Catalog, teacher, snap, log in is: mking, password is : media, search Ashley’s Story. Webmax: Ashley’s story

Myths Most alcoholics are homeless….Drinking cheap alcohol – often from a paper bag. Alcoholics usually drink hard liquor. Alcoholics can return to social drinking once they have been sober for a few years. Alcoholics are usually estranged from their family. An alcoholic is someone who drinks every day. There are more men with alcoholism than women in the US. Teens are too young to have this disease. Alcoholics can stop drinking easily, all it takes is will power.

Risk Factors Family History of Alcohol Abuse Having 2 or more adverse events during childhood Beginning to drink early, by age 15 or sooner Drinking more than drinks per day Binge drinking Smoking cigarettes (particularly teenagers) Stress Having a pre-existing psychiatric disorder (such as or anxiety or depression) Broken homes

Do You or your Friends show any of these red flags? Secretive drinking Alcohol cravings An inability to control the amount you drink Blackouts (not remembering events or conversations) Irritability when you can' t get a drink at your regular time Legal problems Difficulty sustaining a relationship or a job Withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety An increase in tolerance Hangovers

What others will see. Sleep problems Depression and withdrawing from others - spending more time alone Drop in grades/Problems in school - skipping school/missing classes Behavior problems - not getting along with others, quick to anger Changes in appearance Continuous partying/getting drunk - feeling that it's necessary to get drunk in order to have a good time. Denial – feel as though they don't have a problem, this is a major sign of alcoholism.

Teen alcoholism: Watch this video php?video_id=0&cc_id=1&aspect=16x9&lang=en

Where can an alcoholic get help? Take out your packet on alcoholism. What are we doing today? Defining helping organizations. Identifying where a teen can get help if alcoholism exists in their family. Learning about FAS Short video

Where can an addict get help? AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) A worldwide support group that helps addicts stop drinking one day at time. Free. In ClintonWhen: 1. St James Church Tues./Thurs. evening 2. Hamilton College Sundays at 11: Breakfast at Tiffany’sSundays at 4:00 Ala-Non : World wide support group for spouses and family members who live with alcoholics. Alateen- Support group for teens living in homes where alcohol is creating problems Rehab facilities: Insight House CCS has our own counselor too Click on support group

What is alcoholics anonymous? A world wide helping organization that helps alcoholics acknowledge their disease and find ways to stay sober. They believe in a 12 step program or rules to guide them on their way to sobriety. They remind themselves that they are not going to drink, “one day at a time.”

One in four teens are living in homes where alcohol is creating problems for the family. Click on pic for history of AA YouTube The people most hurt by alcohol or drugs don’t drink or use. ShowShow web max video clip “ Family Alcoholism” Click on “Show”

Treatment Attend Alcoholics Anonymous. Exercise regularly to help reduce cravings. Medications Counseling/ therapy Family members should attend Al-Anon to learn how to help the person with the addiction and to get help and support themselves.

Quick Quiz 1. Can anyone go to an AA meeting? 2. What are the first three Cs a child living in a home with an alcoholic parent should remember? 3. Is AA a lifetime commitment? 4. Does AA cost $ to join? 5. Where can a child get help if Alateen doesn’t exist in your area? 6. Why does AA have a mantra, “one day at a time?”

Roles children take Withdraw from family Peace keeper Scapegoat – blamed for everything that goes wrong Perfect child – over achiever Clown – makes jokes when things are bad Click on clown for web max video clip “the Family Secret”