ALCOHOL

*Why is alcohol considered a drug?

*Describe the long term damage.

**Identify warning signs of alcoholism.

*How does alcoholism affect society?

*How can underage drinking harm a teen’s future?

WHY IS ALCOHOL CONSIDERED A DRUG?

Alcohol causes a change in a person’s physical and emotional state.

Under 21 = ILLEGAL

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

Nausea Vomiting Dehydration Loss of judgment & self-control

Reduced reaction time

Poor Vision Memory Loss

Blackout

Makes body lose heat

Liver has to work harder.

Depressant Loss of inhibitions

Coma Death Heart works harder

Hangover

BINGE DRINKING

BAC- amount of alcohol in person’s blood (%)

What is the legal BAC limit for driving?

0.08

BINGE DRINKING- drinking five or more drinks in one sitting.

ALCOHOL POISONING-

rate depressed; brain and heart may stop working. Also known as ALCOHOL OVERDOSE

*extreme vomiting*loss of consciousness*dangerously slowed breathing

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Brain damage High blood pressure;

enlargement of heart; irregular heartbeat

Diminished immune system Small intestine- can’t absorb

vitamins Liver- hepatitis, cirrhosis

(replaces healthy liver tissue w/ scar tissue), cancer

Irritation to esophagus & stomach; stomach bleeding; cancer

OTHER TERMS……

INHIBITIONS- natural limits that people put on their behavior.

CIRRHOSIS- disease that replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue; usually caused by long term alcohol use; 12th leading cause of death in US.

DEMENTIA- decrease in brain function that includes personality changes and memory loss.

ALCOHOLISM

*Diff. between alcohol abuse and alcoholism-

ALCOHOL ABUSE- drinking too much alcohol, drinking it too often

ALCOHOLISM- disease that causes a person to lose control of his/her drinking behavior.

PATH TO ALCOHOLISM

PROBLEM DRINKING

Experimental

usage to regular usage.

TOLERANCE

Needs more to produce same effect.

DEPENDENCE

Body needs alcohol to function normally.

ALCOHOLISM

Lost control

ARE THERE ANY RISK FACTORS?

Age – teens who start drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to become alcoholics.

Social environment – peer pressure, advertisements, etc.

Genetics – runs in families; male children of alcoholic fathers have a 25% risk of becoming alcoholics.

Risk-taking personality- impulsive.

WARNING SIGNS OF ALCOHOLISM

Drinking to deal with anger, frustration, and disappointment.

Changing friends, personal habits, & interest. Being defensive Feeling depressed

Drinking more for same high Drinking alone

Drinking to get “drunk” Experiencing memory lapses

DOES ALCOHOLISM AFFECT A FAMILY???

Violence Neglect and isolation Ignoring one’s own needs

*ENABLING- helping an addict avoid negative consequences*CODEPENDENCY- sacrificing own needs to meet needs of an addict

Teens begin to lie; become angry and abusive; creates stress

FAS- physical and mental defects of a fetus

CAN ALCOHOLISM AFFECT SOCIETY?

Car accidents Murder Family violence Child abuse Rape $$ spent on treatment &

recovery of losses due to alcohol

More public services More legal services Taxpayers $$$

TREATMENT…….

Alcoholics Anonymous Alateen Others??

TEENS & ALCOHOL

#1 cause of death among teens is…motor vehicle accidents

Majority of these are alcohol-related.

Drunk-driving is nation’s most frequently committed crime.

ZERO TOLERANCE

All 50 states have zero tolerance laws for people under 21. It’s illegal for people under the age of 21 to drive with any

amount of alcohol in their system.

Zero chances.

FUTURES AT RISK…..

DUI, DWI, MIP, PI= can all result in jail time.

STI, AIDS/HIV, pregnancy Most common drug

associated with date rape. Drowning Affects development of

brain. Abuse Affect chances in getting a

job or into college.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND CONSEQUENCES?

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL