1. Ch 22 Alcohol

2. Facts about Alcohol
Ethanol- type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages. An addicting drug produced as fermentation of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Fermentation- chemical action of yeast on sugars.
Water, flavoring and minerals are mixed with ethanol to produce a variety of beverages, such as beer, wine, spirits, or liquors.

3. Immediate effects
Depressant- drug that slows the central nervous system.
Slows motor skills causing slowing reaction time and impairing vision.
Diminishes clear thinking and good judgment
Intoxication- body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance causing person to lose physical and mental control.

4. Factors influence alcohol use
Several reasons influence teens choice to use or NOT use:
Peer pressure
Family- many teens cite parent disapproval of #1 reason to not use.
Media messages- many ads on TV, radio, movies all make alcohol use appear as exciting, attractive, and fun and that you have to do it to fit in.

5. Alcohols role in Unsafe situations
Here are several key points to consider:
Alcohol is #1 cause of death and disability among teens. Also linked with deaths in drowning, fire, suicide and homicide.
**Key factor: 33% of suicides, 50% homicides, 62% Assaults, 68% Manslaughter, 50% head injuries, 41% traffic fatalities, 50%+ drownings, most domestic abuse/child abuse cases.

6. Unsafe continued:
The Law: Illegal for you to buy, possess or consume alcohol until 21.
Violence and Sexual activity: teens who drink are more likely to become victims or perps of violent crimes like rape, assault and robbery. Impairs your judgment, lowers inhibitions, and compromises moral standards

7. Continued:
4) Alcohol Abuse: estimated that 25% of youth are exposed to alcohol abuse before age 18. Leads to high risk for neglect, abuse, economic hardship & social isolation. More likely for teen to drink and 4x more likely develop alcohol dependence.
5) Extracurricular activity consequence- can become ineligible and become suspended. Also can damage future college or job opportunities.

8. Committing to be alcohol-free
Helps you by:
Maintaining healthy body
Make responsible decisions- having clear head
Avoid risky behavior
Avoid illegal activities.

9. Short-term effects of alcohol
Factors that effect onset:
Body size and gender- small person feels the effect of same amount of alcohol faster than larger body. Also alcohol moves into bloodstream faster on females.
Food- food in stomach slows down the passage of alcohol in bloodstream
Amount and rate of intake

10. Alcohol and Drug interactions
1/4th of all emergency room admissions are from alcohol-drug interactions.
Alcohol when combined with medication or another drug can be dangerous! Can result in multiplier effect.
Slow down absorption of drug causing to be in system longer and increase side effect risk
Can increase metabolizing enzymes causing medication to be broken down faster= decrease in effectiveness.

11. Combining Dangers Cont.
Can changed some medications into chemicals that can damage liver. EX: taking even small amount of Tylenol.
Can increase effects of some drugs like antihistamines.

12. DUI (Driving under influence)
Alcohol impairs vision, reaction time, and coordination.
BAC (blood alcohol concentration)- amount of alcohol in a person’s blood, expressed as a percentage. 21 and over, legal limit is Under 21= 0
Consequences= lose drivers license; legally responsible to pay for others injuries, property damage, and death; arrest/jail time; increase insurance rates; live with regret/remorse from consequences.

13. Additional terms
Binge Drinking- drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks in 1 sitting
Alcohol poisoning- severe and potentially fatal physical reaction to alcohol overdose. Acts as depressant and shuts down involuntary actions (breathing, gag reflex, & heart). Body tries to save self by causing vomiting but cause person to choke to death.

14. Effects of Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol doesn’t stop entering bloodstream after one passes out, BAC continues to increase as absorbed.
Symptoms:
Mental confusion, coma, vomiting, seizures
Slow breathing: 10secs between breaths to less than 8 breaths a min. to eventually 0
Irregular heart beat
Hypothermia or lower body temp
Severe dehydration

15. Long term effects

16. Cirrhosis

17. FAS
Severe life long effects to baby. Causing deformities to face, hands, feet, heart, liver, kidney, including vision or hearing defects. Slow growth and decreased coordination with learning deficiencies, memory, attention and problem solving difficulties.
Totally preventable!

18. Alcoholism
Disease that person is psychological dependant on alcoholic drinks
Some are violent and aggressive while others are quiet and withdrawn.
Background associated---disease does not discriminate---can be any age, race, ethnic or SES group.
Symptoms: cravings, loss of control, physical dependence, tolerance, repeated health/family/legal problems.

19. Factors affecting alcoholics
Children of alcoholics are 4x more likely to become an alcoholic
Other environmental factors like family, friends, culture, peer pressure, availability of alcohol, and stress
Only you can protect yourself by choosing NOT to participate in addicting behavior.

20. Stages of alcoholism
Stage 1: abuse. Starts with social drinking and over time physical and psychological dependence to help manage stress. Drink regularly to get intoxicated, can cause blackouts and memory loss. Continues to consume more to get same effect.
Stage 2: dependence. Can’t stop drinking because of physical dependence. Tries to hide dependence but starts effecting job, school and home. Tends to blame others for problems.
Stage 3: addiction. Most important thing in life. Life begins to spin out of control and generally still does not acknowledge problem. IF they try to stop they experience withdrawal symptoms.

21. Treatment for alcohol abuse
Alcoholism is not curable, but is treatable. Lifelong problem.
Recovery- process of learning to be alcohol free life.
Sobriety- living without alcohol.
Many resources available (more than listed):
Al-anon & Alateen: for families of alcoholics
Alcoholics Anonymous