ALCOHOL: A DANGEROUS DRUG

Alcohol is classified as a depressant.

Depressant: A drug that slows body functions

(BAC) Blood Alcohol Concentrationa way to measure the level of alcohol in a person’s body

Person’s BAC is influenced by:Gender Percent of body fatBody weight Amount of food in stomachRate of drinking (your environment)

Over 15,000 lives have been saved per year since we have raised our

drinking age. (21)

Drivers under 21 are considered legally intoxicated @ a BAC of .01“Zero Tolerance”

Adult drivers are considered legally intoxicated @ a BAC of .08 Intoxicated: being affected by alcohol

Each drink is about .02-.03Takes about 1 ¼ hour to get out of system per drink

Proof is the amount of alcohol in a drink

100 proof equals 50% alcohol

Beer has about 2-6 % alcohol

Wines are usually 10-15 % alcohol

Distilled spirits have 40-55% alcohol

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE BODY

Feeling of warmth, and well-being; slight impairment of judgment (1 drink in 1-hour)

Inhibitions are lessened; judgment impaired, behavior can become impulsive or silly(2 drinks in 1-hour)

Reflexes and coordination impaired; speech and hearing slightly affected (3 drinks in 1-hour)

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE BODY

Legally drunk in most states; vision, hearing, judgment, reflexes, coordination impaired (4 drinks in 1-hour)

Intoxication; coordination seriously affected; vision blurred, speech and hearing severely impaired (6 drinks 1-hour)

Intoxication extreme; no control over thoughts and perceptions; walking and even standing becomes difficult (8 drinks 1-hour)

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to a hangover.

Hangover-Uncomfortable physical effects brought on by the use of alcohol.

Symptoms of hangover: headache, nausea, upset stomach, and dizziness.

Cure for a hangover is rest & re-hydration of the body (alcohol dehydrates the body).

Long Terms Effects:

Hepatitis: inflammation of the liver; symptoms include yellowing of the skin, high fever, and weakness.

Long Terms Effects (continued):

Cirrhosis: liver cells are replaced by useless scar tissue, no longer able to metabolize food properly.

ALCOHOL: A DANGEROUS DRUG Long Term Effects (continued):

Interrupts REM sleeping.

Lowers your white blood cell count.

Kills brain cells.

Damage to the heart muscle.

Women can increase their chance for breast cancer.

Increases your chances for cancer

ALCOHOL: A DANGEROUS DRUG Long Term Effects (continued):

Delirium Tremens - (DT’s) when an alcoholic goes without alcohol for a period of time, the body runs out of the supply to which it is addicted.

Fever Unquenchable Thirst Hallucinations

Low birth weight is a sign of FAS.Low birth weight is a sign of FAS.

Small teeth, faulty enamel, irregular earlobes, Small teeth, faulty enamel, irregular earlobes, wide set eyes and other facial deformities.wide set eyes and other facial deformities.

Smaller hearts/heart defects.Smaller hearts/heart defects.

Physical and mental growth rate is slower during Physical and mental growth rate is slower during childhood. childhood.

Most remain mentally retarded w/ a 40-80 IQ Most remain mentally retarded w/ a 40-80 IQ range.range.

Exposing the fetus to drugs during the first 12 to Exposing the fetus to drugs during the first 12 to 13 weeks is particularly hazardous13 weeks is particularly hazardous

Fetal Alcohol SyndromeFetal Alcohol Syndrome

Binge Drinking

Alcohol is a poison

If a person drinks enough at one time, it can cause immediate death.

Binge drinking is a serious problem among teenagers and young adults who take part in drinking games.

Binge Drinking Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwkL0tyeee4

4 stages of drinking

(1)Beginning phase involves experimental use or sneaking a drink at a social event.

Usually done with friends

Tolerance is low

Easy to feel a buzz

Defying parents

4 stages of drinking

(2) Using more/Drinking more

Start lying to parents & friends

Feelings of guilt about the lies

May forget or blackout

Increased tolerance

Preoccupied with drinking

4 stages of drinking

(3) Using alcohol regularly

School work & attendance are affected

Hiding bottles

Start getting into legal hassles

Family Relationship deteriorates

Drinks in the morning

Out of control once drinking starts

4 stages of drinking

(4) This stage is addiction

Being high all the time is the norm

Need alcohol to cope

Blackouts are more frequent

Self-Hate - little or no self-esteem

Must get help or face the possibility of death

Continued sobriety

Participation in AA’s 12 step recovery program

Adjustment to reentry into family life through counseling

Development of self-awareness and social skills

Learning recreational alternatives to alcohol

Establishment of a network of support people who are also recovering.

Goals of Aftercare Program

ANTI-DRINKING ORGANIZATIONS

S.A.D.DStudents Against Destructive Decisions

M.A.D.DMothers Against Drunk Driving

R.I.DRemove Intoxicated Drivers

Self-help programs for the Alcoholic & Family

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - This group is for the alcoholic. It is a 12 step program. The first step is to realize that he or she is powerless over alcohol.

Al-Anon – Is designed to help family members to talk about problems of living with an alcoholic.

Alateen – Is designed to help teenagers cope with the same situation.

Decision-making Model

Should you let him drive you home?

You’re at a party, and it’s getting late. Yourfriend Cliff, who drove you to the party, sayshe’s ready to drive you home. He tells you hehasn’t been drinking, but you’re sure he’shad at least two or three beers. You can not drive yet.

What would you do?