here’s to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to all of life’s problems - homer simpson

HERE’s TO ALCOHOL:

THe cause of, and solution to all of life’s problems

-Homer simpson

OVERVIEW

• People drink to socialize, celebrate, relax• Strong effect on people• We’ve struggled to understand & manage

the power of alcohol:

* Why does it cause people to act & feel differently?

* How much is too much?

* Why do some people become addicted?

HISTORY• Has been around & used for

centuries- social, medical, cultural, religious settings

• Middle Ages- beer drunk by whole family

• 16th century used primarily for medicinal purposes

• By 18th century British parliament passed a law to encourage grain to be used for distilled spirits

• 19th century promotion of moderate use which led to prohibition

• That ban was lifted in 1933 due to illegal trade boom

TODAY’S FACTS• Laws vary- no alcohol sold in some Middle East

& Asian countries; purchase or consume ages 18-21 in most countries

• 15 million Americans suffer from alcoholism• 80,000 deaths attributed to alcohol each year• 40% of all car accident deaths in the US involve

alcohol• Legal limit for driving is .08% BAC; under 21-

0%

UNDER 21 FACTS

• IT IS ILLEGAL!!!• Contributes to more than 4700 deaths each

year• 2 in 3 high school students that drink do so

to intoxication• #1 cause of death among teens- car

accidents- around 30% of those involve alcohol

KEY TERMS• Ethanol- type of alcohol in drinks- powerful &

addictive• Fermentation- chemical process- uses fruits,

vegetables mixed with ethanol• Depressant- drug that slows the nervous

system- affects motor skills, impairs judgment• Intoxication- body is poisoned by alcohol-

physical/mental control reduced- varies person to person

• Binge drinking- 4+drinks for girls, 5+ drinks for guys in a night

• Alcohol poisoning- severe & possible deadly overdose of alcohol- breathing can stop, choke on vomit

• BAC- Blood Alcohol Concentration- the amount of alcohol in person’s blood- % - .08% in PA, intoxication can begin at .02

It’s ALL the Same!

A standard drink contains .6 fl. Oz/ 1.2 Tablespoons of pure alcohol

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS ON THE BODY

• Dulls memory, reactions, concentration, coordination

• Lowers inhibitions- poor judgments• Slurred speech, blurred vision• Irritates stomach lining• Altered emotions• Drowsiness

INFLUENCES of SHORT TERM EFFECTS

* Body size & gender* Food intake* Amount & rate of alcohol intake- liver can only break down 1 drink per hour

BAC CHARTS

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Reduces brain tissue & destroys cells Can cause brain damage

• Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure• Kidney failure• Kills liver cells, causes cirrhosis (build up of

scar tissue- lead to liver failure)• Addiction/alcoholism• Death

THE PATH OF ALCOHOL THROUGH THE BODY

1. Mouth: alcohol enters the body.

2. Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine.

3. Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.

4. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body.

5. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain.

6. Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 0.5 oz per hour.

REASONS PEOPLE DRINK

ADULTS• To relax• Relieve stress• Social• Enjoy the taste• Overcome shyness• Forget problems

TEENS• Peer pressure/

”Everyone else is doing it”

• To look cool/older• Curious• To get drunk• Forget problems

ADDICTION/ALCOHOLISM• Alcohol Abuse: Pattern of excessive drinking

that leads to problems:• *Unfulfilled responsibilities, fighting, DUI• *Dangerous situations• *Relationship issues• Alcoholism -a disease in which the person

has a physical &/or psychological dependence on alcohol

• * Not limited to any age, race, ethnicity or social class

SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOLISM

• Craving• Loss of control• Physical Dependence• Tolerance• Health, family, legal problems• Violent, aggressive behaviors• Quiet, withdrawn/drinking alone

STAGES OF ALCOHOLISM

• 1- ABUSE- Starts with social drinking, relax, then manage stress- drink regularly- blackouts & memory loss

• 2- DEPENDENCE- Cannot stop drinking- becomes central focus- tries to hide the problem, makes excuses & blames others

• 3- ADDICTION- Most important thing in person's life, which is out of control- does not realize or acknowledge; liver damage is common

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gVzVIBc_g