1. The Responsible Use of Alcohol

2. Alcohol Use Patterns 49% of Americans abstain from alcohol use
22% are considered “light” drinkers
29% are considered “risky” drinkers

3. Alcohol is responsible for more than 70,000 deaths per year among Americans
Through automobile crashes and other injuries alcohol is the leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24

4. UWG Statistics from 2008
77% of the students consumed alcohol in the past year
62% in the past 30 days
58% under age 21 in the past 30 days
38% reported binge drinking in previous two weeks
93% believe the average student uses alcohol once a week or more

5. So . . . Not everyone is a drunk!
Reality is 62% of UWG students are not binge drinking every Thursday night! 38% haven’t even drunk in the past 30 days!

6. 90% view drinking as central to fraternity life
85% view drinking as central to sorority life

7. Binge Drinking A common form of alcohol abuse on college campuses
Defined as
having 5 or more drinks in a row for men,
4 or more for women on at least one occasion in the last two weeks
See Figure 10-4 on Binge Drinking
See Table 10-2 on drinking behaviors from alcohol use
See the Box: In the News
See the Box: “College Binge Drinking”

8. Binge Drinking
Kills dozens of college students each year in this country
Fast, heavy drinking can easily raise BAC levels quickly, leading to unconsciousness and death

9. Recent National Report on College Binge Drinking
44% of college aged students reported binge drinking
44% also reported alcohol abuse as the largest problem on college campuses
1,700 alcohol related deaths in 2001

10. Recent National Report on College Binge Drinking
College aged students reported
696,000 assaults
599,000 injuries
97,000 sexual assaults/date rapes

11. So . . . What exactly is a “drink”?

12. Problem??? One solo cup of “hunch punch” is NOT one drink!
In reality it could contain enough alcohol to equal 5-6 drinks!

13. Nature of Alcoholic Beverages
Consumable form of alcohol – ethyl
Fermentation:
process where sugars are converted into alcohol by yeast
Proof:
alcohol concentration that is twice the percentage concentration: 100 proof=50% alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant!

14. Nature of Alcoholic Beverages
Beer = 3-6%
Table wine = 9-14%
Fortified wine = 20%
Hard liquors = 35-50%
Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram
1 beer = 150 calories

15. Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption and Blood Alcohol Concentration Levels
Strength of beverage
Number of drinks consumed
Speed of consumption
Carbonation of the beverage
Presence of food
Body weight
Body fat percentage
Gender

16. Metabolism and Excretion
Once alcohol reaches the stomach
20% is absorbed into the bloodstream
75% is absorbed through the upper part of the small intestine
The liver is the main site for alcohol metabolism
2-10% of ingested alcohol is not metabolized by the liver or other tissues, it is excreted by the lungs, kidneys, and sweat glands unchanged
See Box: Dimensions of Diversity
See Box: “Metabolizing Alcohol: Our Bodies Work Differently”

17. Blood Alcohol Concentration
Percentage of alcohol in a measured amount of blood
Measured from exhaled breath or blood sample
Depends upon the balance between the rate of alcohol absorption and the rate of alcohol metabolism
See Table 10-1 on Blood Alcohol Concentration factors

18. The Immediate Effects of Alcohol
relaxation and jovial
At .10%
physical impairment
At .20%
uncontrollable movement
At .35%
coma and possible death
Legal limit is .08% for DUI
See Table 10-1 on the effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration of the person consuming alcohol

19. UWG Student Perceptions of Effects of Alcohol
69% breaks the ice
69% enhances social activity
63% gives people something to talk about
71% gives people something to do
60% allows people to have more fun
54% facilitates connection with peers
48% facilitates male bonding
47% facilitates sexual opportunity

20. 41% facilitates female bonding
40% easier to deal with stress
28% makes women sexier
17% makes men sexier
16% makes food taste better
24% thought a sexual partner was not attractive because he/she was drunk
33% reported some form of public misconduct at least once during the past year as a result of drinking

21. Alcohol Hangover vs. Alcohol Poisoning
is probably due to a combination of toxic products of alcohol breakdown, dehydration, and hormonal effects
Symptoms
Headaches, Fatigue, Impaired mental functioning
Alcohol poisoning
is consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time, raising BAC to dangerous levels which could result in death due to:
CNS depression
Respiratory failure
Pulmonary edema
See Box: “Dealing with an Alcohol Emergency”
See Box: Take Charge

22. Warning signs of Alcohol Poisoning
Person cannot be roused (unconscious)
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow breathing
(fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
Irregular breathing
(10 seconds or more between breaths)
Hypothermia (low body temperature),
bluish skin color or paleness
Self defecation

23. Other Dangerous Alcohol Use Combination
Using Alcohol with Other Drugs
Impaired judgment from Alcohol leading to:
Injuries, Violence, Suicide
Alcohol and Sexual Decision-making
Unplanned sexual activity, STD’s, Accidental pregnancies
Drinking and Driving
Dose-response function
See Figure 10-1 on alcohol fatalities
See Figure 10-2 on BAC levels per individuals

24. The Effects of Chronic Use
See Figure 10-3 on problems associated with chronic use of alcohol

25. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult via the placenta
Damage results in
mental retardation
low birth weight,
facial abnormalities,
widely spaced eyes, and
a much smaller head.
Full expression rate:
1-2 out of 1000 births

26. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:

27. Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
recurrent use that has negative consequences that result in personal forms of difficulties
Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism)
is a result of needing alcohol on a regular basis to function, involving physical tolerance and withdrawal symptoms

28. Problem Drinking and Alcoholism
alcohol pattern where the behavior creates personal difficulties or difficulties for others
Co-dependence
relationships that support an alcoholic

29. Health Effects of Alcoholism
Withdrawal symptoms
can be acute (shakes or jitters) to more severe i.e. seizures, delirium tremens (DTs)
Alcoholism takes a heavy physical toll upon the body’s organs and tissues as well as causing psychological problems
Socially, it is a serious problem to families and friends
Economically, it effects employment and healthcare costs
See Box: In Focus
See Box: “Children of Alcoholics”

30. Causes of Alcoholism
The precise causes are unknown, however the following factors are probably involved:
Genetics
Personality
Social factors
Environment
Family structure

31. Treatment for Alcoholism
Rehab centers
Hospitals
Medication
Counseling
Support groups

32. Alcoholism: Gender & Ethnicity
Among White American men
drinking starts in the teenage years and progresses into late adulthood
Women tend to become alcoholics much later
In their 40’s or 50’s
African-Americans
tend to have more health related problems with alcohol use
Latino men
Have the following common elements: drunk driving and cirrhosis
American Indians and Alaskans
tend to abuse alcohol early in life
See Table 10-3 on “Ethnic Groups”

33. Alcohol Website Resources
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline
800-ALCOHOL
The College Alcohol Study
College Drinking Prevention

34.
The Gordie Foundation with video clip HAZE