1. ALCOHOL ABUSE

2. Alcohol Abuse Approx 14 million Americans are alcoholics
Approx 100,000 death/yr associated with alcohol abuse
18.8% have lived with an alcoholic some time during their childhood
9.2% have been married or cohabitated with an alcoholic
37.9% have a blood relative who is an alcoholic
Approximately 1/3 of high school students report binge drinking once a month
1,400 college students a year die from accidents, violence or poisoning related to alcohol

5. Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, not a stimulant
Feel release of personal inhibitions
Broken down by the liver at a rate of 2/3 to 3/4 of an ounce per hour
If you drink more then this the alcohol level in your blood will rise

6. Factors that influence absorption
Strength of the drink
Number of drinks consumed
Speed of consumption
Presence of food in your stomach
Body chemistry
Amount of time it takes for the stomach to empty depends on stress, anger, fear, nausea

7. Factors that influence absorption
Gender
Women produce less of enzyme needed to breakdown alcohol
Women have greater fat content and alcohol is not fat soluble so it enters the blood stream faster
Women have less water so alcohol does not become diluted
Women absorb more alcohol during the premenstrual phase

10. Blood Alcohol Levels
Legal blood alcohol is less the 0.08 if you are over 21
0.04 for 18-21
0.01 below 18

11. Blood Alcohol Levels 0.02 – no effect
– relaxed, slightly lightheaded, decreased inhibitions
Level reached by 160 pound man taking 2 drinks per hour
0.1 – loss of motor coordination and impaired judgment
0.15 – significant impairment of motor coordination and reaction time, slurred speech

12. Blood Alcohol Levels 0.2 – severely intoxicated, loud obnoxious drunk
0.3 – limited control of functions, may be unconscious
0.4 – comatose
–suffocation and death, usually pass out before this point

13. Sobering Up Acute alcohol poisoning Call 911 if
Drank too much, too fast
Call 911 if
Unable to awaken person
Shallow breathing
Fast heart rate
Cool skin
Bluish color to skin

14. Sobering Up Regurgitation and aspiration
Lay person on their side and do not leave them alone

15. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Hangover
Mild withdrawal from alcohol
Nerve cells become dehydrated by alcohol
No cure except time
“hair of the dog that bit you” means drinking again to avoid withdrawal symptoms

16. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix
Increased number of miscarriages
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Mental retardation
Slow growth
Facial abnormalities
Small heads
Widely spaced eyes
Flattened noses
10 or more drinks/day 74% will have FAS

21. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Cardiovascular system
High blood pressure
Scar tissue formation on the heart
Fatty deposit increase the size of the heart
Death from heart failure

22. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Liver metabolizes the alcohol
Liver is the most vulnerable organ to alcohol
Heavy drinking damages the liver causing cirrhosis and eventual death

23. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Gastrointestinal system
GI bleeding
Esophageal varacies
Malnutrition
Esophageal cancer

24. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Endocrine disorders
Decreased testosterone production
Second leading cause of impotence
May lead to early menopause in women
Alters the menstrual cycle

25. Alcohol Related Health Problems
Central nervous system
Brain cell loss
Impaired nerve function
Depression
Alcoholics 30 times more likely to commit suicide then the general population

26. Tolerance to Alcohol
Develop a physical and psychological addiction to alcohol
Develop a tolerance to alcohol
Takes more alcohol to get the relaxed feeling
As damage to liver increases unable to breakdown alcohol and it takes less alcohol to get drunk

27. Effect on Society Motor vehicle crashes
Every two minutes an alcohol related car crash injury happens
28% if all yr olds say they have driven while drunk
Do not drink and drive
If caught you will lose you license for one year

37. Effect on Society Drownings Fires and burns Crime and violence Suicide
Alcohol is involved in 34%
Fires and burns
Half of burn victims above legal BAL
Crime and violence
Homicides have alcohol involved 67% of the time
50% of rapists are intoxicated and 30% of victims
Suicide
Half of all suicides are committed by alcoholics
Alcohol is related to impulsive suicides vs premeditated ones

38. Hosting a Party Responsibly
You are responsible for the health and safety of you guests and may be held liable if they drink and drive
Don’t push drinks
Don’t serve doubles
Don’t keep the glasses full
Have non-alcoholic beverages
Serve non-salty snacks

39. Hosting a Party Responsibly
Don’t make drinking the main activity at the party
Do not let someone drive if they are intoxicated, take their keys or call 911

40. Keeping Yourself Sober
Drink slowly
Space your drinks
Know your limits
Designated driver
Don’t drink before the party
Don’t drink if you are mad or depressed
Avoid drinking games
Consume only a pre-planned number of drinks and stop drinking at a pre-planned hour

41. Stages of Alcohol Dependence
Early
Escape drinking
Binge drinking
Guilt feelings
Sneaking drinks
Difficulty stopping after beginning to drink
Increased tolerance
Preoccupation with drinking
Occasional blackouts

42. Stages of Alcohol Dependence
Middle
Loss of control
Self hate
Impaired social relationships
Changes in drinking patterns (more frequent binge drinking)
Dietary neglect
Increased blackouts

43. Stages of Alcohol Dependence
Late
Prolonged binges
Alcohol used to control withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol psychosis
Nutritional disease
Frequent blackouts

44. Causes of Alcoholism Genetics Personality types Strong family link
50% of fathers, sons, brothers of alcoholics are likely to become alcoholics
Children of alcoholics are more then 3-4 times more likely to become alcoholics
Personality types
Low self esteem
Chronic anxiety
Antisocial personalities

45. Treatment Biggest barrier to treatment and recovery is denial
Families delay treatment by enabling the alcoholic
Families deny the problem, delay treatment
Cover up for the alcoholic
Codependence with a significant other
Dual addiction
Alcoholic is addicted to alcohol and the family member is addicted to them
Delays treatment

46. Treatment Detoxification is first Psychological addiction is next
Go through physical withdrawal from alcohol
Inpatient medical treatment
Avoid DTs and seizures
Psychological addiction is next
Changing long term behavior
Problem solving skills
Stress management
2/3 can recover with good emotional support

47. Treatment Alcohol Anonymous (AA) Alcoholics can not be social drinkers
Based on the belief that people have to admit they have lost control over alcohol and they are powerless to control their drinking
One of the most successful programs
Alcoholics can not be social drinkers