YOUTH AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

Objectives

To provide understanding of alcoholism

To provide information about substance abuse prevention.

To assist students in understanding the risk and protective factors for substance abuse.

To provide resources for prevention

Overview

Substance use can be thought of an a continuum from social/recreational use to abuse and dependence

Many factors affect whether substance use is a problem including whether it causes significant impairments in health, social, legal or occupational functioning

No certain amount of substance use necessarily means there is a problem. It is important to consider the situation, the consequences and whether the person was in jeopardy of causing themselves physical harm by using

What is alcohol abuse

It is a disease

Characterized by a maladaptive pattern of drinking alcohol that results in negative work, medical, legal, educational and/or social effects on a person’s life

The person who abuses alcohol tends to continue to drink despite of such consequences.

Addiction

A person, substance, or activity

Regularly use to escape from negative feeling state

Continues to be used despite experiencing negative consequences

Note: Physiological dependence is NOT necessarily a part of addiction

 

Risk factors

DepressionAnxietyMood problemsLow self-esteemPeer pleasureImpulsivityPhysical and sexual abuseFamily members with history of

alcohol abuseLack of supportPovertyNo sense of connection as a

community

Effects

Higher risk for experiencing more negative feelings

Stress

Alienation and aggression

Multiple psychological effects: Depression and antisocial behaviors

Malnutrition Disturbed sleep patterns

Vicious circle

Statistics & Moving forward?

Consequences

Diseases

Rape

High accident rates

Drug induced psychosis

Drug abuse

Alcohol Withdrawal

Fatigue

Malnutrition

Physical illness

Depression

Proactive Factors

Close family relationships

Education is valued and encouraged and parents are actively involved

Opportunities for community involvement

Positive attitudes towards school

Laws are consistently enforced

Educate our youth

Prevention?

Prevention isA proactive process empowering individuals

and systems to meet challenges of life by creating and reinforcing conditions that promote healthy behaviors and prevent co-morbidity, relapse and disability

Levels of prevention

Primary:Goals are to prevent the problem from

occurring in the first place

Secondary:Goals are to prevent the problem from getting

worse

Tertiary:Goals are to prevent the problem from getting

worse and prevent any other complications

Can alcoholism be prevented

Clear communication

Adequate parental supervision

Educate coping skills and strategies

Counseling and treatment

THANK YOU!!!