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Module: Effects of Drugs and Alcohol

Topic: Alcohol and Drugs

Section: Some Sobering Facts

40% of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 10,839 alcohol related fatalities in 2009

o 32% of traffic fatalities that yearo One death every 48 min

In 2008, 31% of 15 to 21 year old drivers killed in car crashes, had been drinking.Section: Reasons to rethink drinking

Alcohol related collisions greater risk for those 16 to 20 Brain damage Rises chance of being alcoholic in young people Alcohol rises the death rate of adolescents There is no safe dose for teenagers Drinking age limit in states has reduced alcohol related deaths for 18-20 yr olds by 13%, and saved

an estimated 27,675 since 1975

Section: Effects of Alcohol

Ethyl alcohol- most commonly abused drug in the uso Distorts perceptiono Hinders ability to function properlyo Impaired driver feels no difference in abilityo Increased risk takingo Loss of self controlo Confusiono Inability to concentrate

Section: Debunking Myths About Alcohol and Drugs

Myth: Alcohol gives you energyo Alcohol is depressant. Initially may heighten your mood, but ability to think and function is

slowed down. Myth: If you only drink beer you wont have a problem

o Its not the drink that you have its the amount of alcohol in the drink, which affects yourBLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL. ( determines level of impairment)

Myth: Cold shower of coffee will make you sobero The only thing that sobers you is time. Alcohol needs to leave your system naturally. Coffee

only makes you an alert drunk.

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Myth: Its not my business if my friend drinks too mucho Take the car keys and put them in a taxi

Myth: The worst thing that can happen is a hangovero Risk of vomiting in your sleep and dying by asphyxiation, lowered heart rate, or coma.

Section: Influences on Teen Drinking

Reasons why some teens drinko Peer pressureo Having an alcoholic family member, is one of the greatest risks of you being one (genes)o Influence of Parents (they condone teen drinking)o Sociological Factors

Where you liveo Anxiety and frustrationo Just out for a good time (Partying= drinking for some)

Remember most teens dont drink

Section: Effect of Alcohol on Driving

Alcohol affects brain function and sensory perception directlyo Judgment goes firsto Distance and speed perception more difficulto Slower reaction

Alcohol changes your sense of judgment:o Sense of speed, distance, and depth perception changed when you drink.

Slows your reaction timeo Slows reflexes and changes your hand eye coordinationo Slows your ability to think quickly (cognition)

Impaired drivers:o Tend to stare at road instead of scano Forget to do important things like turn on headlights

Alcohol can affect your visiono Regular eye function changes, alcohol slows

Pupil movement Rapid eye movement Focus ability

o Side vision may be eliminated Car collisions are the number one killer of teens in the us.Topic: The ABCs of Blood Alcohol Level Factors

Section: What is Bal?

Blood/ Breath Alcohol LevelRatio btwn blood and alcohol

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o Ex: 0.08% bal =eight drops of alcohol for every 9,992 drops of blood in your bodySection: Contributing Factors to Calculating Bal

Size of a persons body The amount of alcohol in a drink

o These drinks will all raise your Bal to the same: 12 oz beer with 5% alcohol 5 oz glass of wine with 12 % alcohol A shot of 80 proof liquor ( hard liquor)

Amount of time the user engages in drinkingo Faster you drink higher the Bal

Amount of food a person eatso Coats the stomach lining and slows the absorption of alcohol

Gender of the person drinkingo Women dont process alcohol as well as men, we produce less of the enzyme that breaks itdown.

Section: Physiological Response To Alcohol

How drinking affects the brain:o Within min of first drink, your impaired

How drinking affects stomach/Intestineso 5% of alcohol is absorbed in mouth and throat,o Other 95 % absorbed in digestive systemo Irritates stomach lining, which leads to:

Vomiting Can lead to bleeding in stomach

How drinking affects your livero May cause alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation)o Cirrhosis of liver (scarring)

Statistics related to alcohol consumption:o