men’s health h306 fall 2014 alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs
TRANSCRIPT
MEN’S HEALTH H306FALL 2014
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drugs
What Is Addiction and What Are Its Effects?
Continued involvement with a substance or activity despite ongoing negative consequences.
The costs of alcohol, tobacco, and drug addiction exist on a personal as well as societal level.
Addictive behaviors initially provide a sense of pleasure that the addict cannot achieve in other ways.
Chemicals are responsible for the most profound addictions, along with mood changes.
Four common symptoms of addictions
Compulsion: excessive preoccupation with the behavior and an overwhelming need to perform it
Loss of control: the inability to reliably predict whether any isolated occurrence of the behavior will be healthy or damaging
Negative consequences: physical damage, legal trouble, financial problems, academic failure, or family problems caused by the behavior
Denial: the inability to perceive that the behavior is self-destructive
Alcohol: An OverviewAlcohol and American Adults:
61 percent of Americans consume alcohol regularly
25 percent abstain from drinking
Alcohol and College Students: Approximately 63 percent of students have
consumed alcoholic beverages in the past 30 days.
Almost half are classified as heavy drinkers. Many students have a misperception about
“normal drinking” behavior, and believe their peers drink more than they actually do.
Dangers of Alcohol Use and Abuse
Alcohol abuse is common on college campuses. Most popular drug among college students. Almost half of college students engage in binge drinking.
Alcohol profoundly affects the body. Contains ethanol, an addictive drug that is absorbed
throughout the whole gastrointestinal system. The higher the alcohol concentration, the faster it is
absorbed by the body. Proof: Measure of the percent alcohol
80 proof whiskey = 40 percent alcohol Mood also affects alcohol use; absorption is much faster
when people are tense or stressed.
Alcohol: An Overview
Binge Drinking A pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) to 0.08 gram-percent or above Binge drinking is defined as consuming within 2
hours: 5 drinks in a row for a man 4 drinks in a row for a woman
Many colleges are trying to address the problem: Cognitive-behavioral skills training with
motivational interviewing Social norms approach Working to change misconceptions
Alcohol: An Overview
High-Risk Drinking and College Students Why is binge drinking the number one cause
of preventable death among undergraduate students?
Alcohol exacerbates their already high risk for suicide, automobile crashes, and falls.
Customs, norms, and traditions encourage dangerous drinking.
Drinking is heavily advertised and promoted on campuses.
Students are more likely to engage in drinking games.
Students are more vulnerable to peer influences and peer pressure.
College administrators often do not admit to a problem on campus.
Short-Term and Long-Term Alcohol Effects
Dangers of Alcohol Use and Abuse
Drinking and driving is a major safety threat. About 39% of all traffic deaths are alcohol related.
Alcohol use can lead to alcoholism. Problems are often denied by alcohol abusers. Multiple symptoms are common, including the inability to
stop drinking, feelings of guilt or remorse, and memory loss.
Recovery from alcohol addiction is difficult. People often experience many serious problems before the
y ’re ready to deal with their addiction. First step to recovery is regaining a sense of personal
control and assuming responsibility for one’s actions.
Alcohol Use and Injuries
13 percent of emergency room visits by undergrads are for alcohol-related injuries
Patients with a BAC over 0.08% are 3.2 times more likely to have a violent injury than an unintentional injury.
Most people admitted to the ER are men aged 21 and over, most as a result of accidents or fights in which alcohol was a factor.
Alcohol and Sexual Decision Making
Alcohol lowers inhibitions, impairing the ability to make wise decisions regarding sexual activity
70 percent of college students admit to having engaged in sexual activity primarily as a result of being under the influence of alcohol.
Less likely to use safer sex practices Risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy
increases among those who drink heavily
Alcohol Poisoning
Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can be lethal.
Alcohol alone or mixed with another drug is responsible for more toxic overdose deaths than any other substance.
Deaths are caused by either central nervous system and respiratory depression or by inhalation of vomit or fluid into the lungs
Signs include inability to be roused; weak and rapid pulse; unusual breathing pattern; cool, damp, pale, or bluish skin.
Call 9-1-1 immediately
Drinking and Driving
2008, 32% of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related. Many college students drink and drive. In 2008, there were 11,773 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the
United States. This represents one alcohol-related fatality every 45 minutes
At BAC 0.10 a person is approximately 10 times more likely to be in an accident.
Alcoholism
Identifying a Problem Drinker Abuse interferes with work, school, and relationships. Alcoholism (alcohol dependence) results when personal and health
problems related to alcohol use are severe, and stopping alcohol consumption results in withdrawal symptoms.
Characterized by craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance
Alcoholism
The Causes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Biological and family factors
Alcoholism is 4 to 5 times more common among children of alcoholics Heredity accounts for two-thirds of the risk for becoming an alcoholic.
Social and cultural factors Family attitudes Weakening of family links Combination of heredity and environment
Alcoholism
Costs to Society It is estimated that alcohol is directly or indirectly responsible for
over 25 percent of U.S. medical expenses and lost earnings Cost of underage drinking is estimated at $61.9 billion annually.
Includes crashes, violent crime, FAS, high-risk sex, poisoning, psychosis, and treatment for alcohol dependence
Alcohol Content in Common Drinks
Blood Alcohol Levels in the Body
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Ratio of alcohol to total blood volume The legal limit for BAC is 0.08 percent in all states. Both breath analysis (breathalyzer tests) and urinalysis are used
to determine whether an individual is legally intoxicated, but blood tests are more accurate.
Learned behavioral tolerance—though BAC may be quite high, the individual has learned to modify his behavior to appear sober
Approximate Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and the Physiological and Behavioral Effects
Discussion
Evaluate Your Drinking Habits: How many alcoholic drinks do you have on a typical day when you are drinking? How often do you have six drinks or more on one occasion? How often during the last year have you been unable to stop drinking once you had
started? How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you
because of drinking? How often during the last year have you needed a drink in the morning to get yourself
going after a heavy drinking session? How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking? How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the
night before because you had been drinking?
Tobacco Use in the US
Tobacco and Social Issues Single most preventable cause of death 438,000 Americans die a year 50 times that of illegal drug deaths Teen smokers = 27.5 percent of all smokers
Advertising $36 million per day spent on tobacco-related advertising. Children and teens constitute 90 percent of new smokers.
Tobacco Use in the US
Financial Costs to Society $193 billion in annual health-related economic losses $95 billion in medical expenditures
College Students and Tobacco Use In 2007, 19% reported having smoked in the past 30 days “Social smokers” are those who smoke when they are with
people, rather than alone.
Dangers of Tobacco Use
Nicotine, a powerful stimulant, is the major psychoactive substance in tobacco products.
When smoked, nicotine is released and inhaled into the lungs, along with tar and 4,700 other chemicals including arsenic, formaldehyde, and ammonia.
Cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas. When smoked, its concentration is 800 times higher than the level considered safe.
Dangers of Tobacco UseShort-Term Effects and Risks of Nicotine Use
Aroused mental state. Increased heart and respiratory rates. Constricted blood vessels. Reduced appetite.
Long-Term Effects and Risks of Nicotine Use Cancer. Cardiovascular disease. Respiratory diseases, especially emphysema. Sexual dysfunction. Gum disease.
Nicotine poisoning is the symptoms experienced by new smokers;
includes dizziness, rapid pulse, damp skin, nausea, and vomiting.
Dangers of Tobacco UseSecondhand smoke is air pollution from tobacco
smoke. Mainstream smoke is emitted from a smoker’s
mouth. Sidestream smoke is emitted from the burning end of a product.
About 50,000 deaths occur each year from secondhand smoke.
Quitting smoking is not easy. 90% of people who try to quit smoking fail. Smokers often falsely believe they can “quit anytim
e.” Nicotine is deeply addictive in the brain and body. Consistent treatment and efforts can result in
quitting. Within 1 year of quitting, risks of major disease start
to substantially reduce.
Short-Term and Long-Term Smoking Effects
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Dangers of Drug Use and AbuseDrug misuse and abuse are huge societal
problems.
Drug misuse = using drugs for an unintended purpose.Drug abuse = excessive use of any drug.
Drug use contributes to the death of 120,000 Americans yearly.
Costs taxpayers more than $294 billion a year in preventable health care expenses, law enforcement, auto accidents, crime, and lost productivity.
Commonly Used Drugs
Marijuana Long-term studies show it causes lung damage. Other risks include immune function suppression,
blood pressure changes, and impaired memory. Risks for women also include lower infant birth
weight, higher miscarriage probability, and nervous system abnormalities in infants.
Designer Drugs (“Club Drugs”) Produced in chemical laboratories, made in private
homes, sold illegally. Commonly include Ecstasy (mood enhancer), GHB
(tranquilizer), and Special K (anesthetic). Dangers include brain damage, loss of
consciousness, seizures, respiratory distress, and death.
Commonly Used DrugsStimulants
Powerful drugs that stimulate the central nervous system.
Among the most addictive substances available. Include cocaine (a naturally occurring stimulant) and
amphetamines (synthetic agents).
Depressants Agents that depress central nervous system functions. Include opiates such as morphine, codeine, and
heroine. Highly addictive, sometimes deadly, substances.
Hallucinogens Primary effects alter feelings, thoughts, and
perceptions. Mainly consumed for hallucinogenic side effects; all
are illegal.
Commonly Used DrugsInhalants
Chemicals that produce vapors that, when inhaled, create euphoric effects.
Include rubber cement, model glue, paint thinner, lighter fluid, varnish, wax, spot removers, and gasoline.
Steroids Artificial forms of the male hormone testosterone, used
illegally to promote muscle growth and strength. Many claims for their effectiveness are unfounded, and
side effects can be serious and lifelong.
Prescription Drugs Abuse of prescription drugs has risen steeply in recent
years. When not taken as directed they can be extremely
dangerous, especially when taken in high doses or combined wrongly.
Prevalence of Drugs among College
Students
Prevalence of Drugs among
College Students, continued
Overcoming Drug AbuseVast body of evidence suggests that it’s almost
inevitable that prolonged drug use will lead to addiction.
Most addicts need specialized medical and psychological treatment to help them quit.
Main treatments are drug programs combined with medications and behavioral therapy.
Resources include hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential programs, and community-based 12-step programs.