ALCOHOL

Why do people drink?

To Celebrate Traditions/Holidays To cope with feelings To relax/unwind Religion To be social

What is alcohol?
Alcohol- the drug found in beer, wine, and liquor that causes intoxication Intoxication- the physical and mental changes produced by alcohol
All of these beverages contain the same about the AMOUNT of alcohol

How does alcohol affect us differently?

Short term effects depend on several things:
How much did the person drink? Did the person have food in their stomach? Was the person on medication? Genetic factors Man or woman? Big or small?

Short Term Effects (PHYSICAL)

Irritation of digestive tract (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach) Heart works harder Loss of body heat Overworks liver Dehydration Raises BAC (blood alcohol concentration)

Short Term Effects

(PSYCHOLOGICAL)
Depresses central nervous system and brain Lowers inhibitions (natural limits people put on behavior) Reduces judgment Reduces coordination Lengthens reaction time

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Blackouts

Loss of inhibitions Decreased judgment

IMPAIRED: vision, judgment, reflexes, coordination

Memory loss Stomach irritation Vomiting

COMA

0.02

0.05

0.08

0.10

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.4-0.5

Slower reactiontime Relaxation, warmth,wellbeing

Over 21 No longer able to drive (by LAW)

Mood swings Memory problems Hard to walk/stand Blurred vision Impaired speech

Loss of consciousness Numbness Slow breathing

D E A T H

Long Term Effects of Alcohol

Heart
Irregularheartbeat Highbloodpressure Enlargedheart

Brain
Braindamage Shrunken/deadbraincells

Liver
Hepatitis Livercancer Cirrhosis- healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue

More Long Term Effects

DigestiveTract (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach)
Ulcers Stomachbleeding Cancers

ImmuneSystem
Ineffectiveagainstdisease

Smallintestine
Decreasesabilityto absorbvitamins

Label each symptom short term (st) or long term (lt)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Heartworksharder Weakenedimmunesystem Stomachulcers Cirrhosis Dehydration Lowersinhibitions RaisesBAC Braindamage

Alcoholism
Whatisalcoholabuse?
Drinkingtoomuchalcohol,drinkingittoo often,ordrinkingitatinappropriatetimes.

Whatisalcoholism?
Adiseasethatcauses apersontolosecontrolof his/herdrinkingbehavior - Physicallyandemotionally addictedtoalcohol.

Stages of Alcoholic Addiction

PROBLEM DRINKING
Experimentation (to have fun) Social Drinking To avoid boredom, relieve stress/anxiety

TOLERANCE
Takes more alcohol to feel same effect Secretive, paranoid, defensive

DEPENDENCE
Needs alcohol to function properly (physical dependency) Withdrawals: anxiety, sweating, shaking, nausea

Alcoholism: addicted to alcohol

Questionstodiscuss:
(Withyourcoolpartner)

Why do some people become addicted and others dont? What are the risk factors? What do you think could be some warning signs of alcohol addiction?

Treatment of Alcoholism
Treatment Programs
In and out patient care AA Alateen Al-Anon