Alcohol and IYouJackie Daniels, MSW, LCSW

Office of Alternative Screening and Intervention Services (OASIS)

Eigenmann Hall West 725danieljm@indiana.edu

Why I Do What I Do

STATS (everyone loves numbers)

• 50% of IU men and women drink at least once a month• 30% are “risky” drinkers • 30% don’t drink• 15% smoke pot at least once a month• 6% take Rx drugs monthly (Adderall, Vicodin and

Xanax)• 2% use cocaineN=5,500• Source: Indiana Collegiate Substance Use Survey 2012

Biological Sex Differences

Metabolism of Alcohol:•Less water=Higher Concentration & Faster IntoxicationAlcohol and Birth Control•Alcohol does not change birth control effectiveness•Alcohol takes longer to leave body=Increased intoxication & BAC

Women Have More Vulnerabilities than Men•Liver damage and hepatitis•Heart Disease in Heavy Consumers•Increased risk for breast cancer in women who drink more than one drink per day•Drive drunk less, yet higher risk for traffic fatality

What is a “Drink?”

“Standard” Keep in mind…• Beer can range in alcohol %• 100 proof liquor= 1 oz.• Carbonated

beverages=More rapid rise in BAC

• Measuring is the only way to track correctly!

• TRY- BAC App on Smartphone

.01 .05 .08 .10 .11 .15 .20 .30 .40 .45

death(½) pass out*

comablack out(dangerous drinking –

low memory function)

legally unimpaired*

alcoholpoisoning

illegally impaired*

blood alcohol concentration

legally impaired*

toxicDrinking

(1/2pint of whiskey)

??? Legal drinking age in Indiana is….

???Impairment BAC in Indiana is…

abstract reasoningjudgment

logic

emotion regulation

.01 .05 .08 .10 .11 .15 .20 .30 .40 .45

death (½)

consciousness

breathingheart rate

memorylow signal

spitsweatpee

puke(poisoning)

motor coordination

the alcohol signaling system

Attentional Myopia

• The more we drink, the less likely we are to attend to things in the periphery

• Our attention turns to what is right in front of us– Ego Boost (taller, more talkative, better dancer)– Real worries get worse – Pleasure in the moment (risky sex, driving)– “In the zone” (better writer, philosopher)

» Steele C.M & Josephs R.A., 1990)

RISK FACTORS • Consequences- Legal, Health, Academic,

Relational, Financial

• Tolerance- Less able to get the “signals”

• Family Risk- Nature vs. Nurture

• Risk Taking- Combining substances, Brain Affects

• Control- Voluntary vs. Involuntary» National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Combining Substances*• Stimulants (Cocaine, Adderall)- Higher Tolerance=

illusion of less intoxication can lead to overdose• Marijuana- decreases ability to vomit, increases

affects of alcohol• Antihistamines- Increase affect of alcohol• Prescription Medication- Use your doctor and

pharmacists as resources= Informed Consumerism!!!• Sedatives (Benzodiazepines) – DANGEROUS

(breathing, heart rate) CNS Depressants• Narcotics/Opiates-DANGEROUS (breathing, heart

rate) CNS Depressants *Affects differ from person to person

Alcohol Poisoning (i.e. Overdose)

LIFELINE• Legal immunity for person seeking medical assistance for a person

suffering from an alcohol- related health emergency:– PI– Minor Possession and Consumption– Minor transportation

• To meet criteria under the law, one must:- Provide full name & any other relevant information requested by law enforcement officers- Remain on the scene until law enforcement and emergency medical assistance arrives - Cooperate with authorities on the scene

What is Your P.L.A.N.?

• People- Who is your buddy, who is sober? Who do you call for help? Who do you trust? Why?

• Location- Where are you going? Do you know someone there? Where is it? Have you told anyone? Where are you staying? How will you get there?

• Amount- What’s your limit? Why? How are you going to keep track? What will you do if you don’t stick to it?

• NEVER… - What are your deal breakers? What is your limit? Who is not okay? What is not okay? Have you told anyone? How are you going to make sure?

IU Resources

• Residential Programs & Services (RPS) staff• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)• Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS)• Office of Alternative Screening and Intervention

Services (OASIS)• Student Life and Learning (Hazing)• Student Advocates Office (academic, legal)• Student Legal Services • Office of Student Ethics• Incident Teams (trust@indiana.edu)• IUPD, 911