Health101Chapter13

Alcohol

• Identify reasons Americans choose to drink or abstain from drinking.

• Describe the impact of alcohol misuse among college students.

• Define a standard drink and binge drinking.• Identify factors that affect an individual’s BAC and

response to alcohol.• Describe the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and steps

taken to assist someone with it.• Define alcohol abuse, dependence, and alcoholism.• List the effects of alcohol on the body.• Evaluate their drinking habits and identify behaviors

they can modify to reduce the risk.]

Chapter Learning Objectives

Topics Of Focus For This Chapter

Blood Alcohol Content

Individual differences

Alcohol UseAbuse, dependence and alcoholism

Alcohol Effects

Impact of use

Body effects

Alcohol poisoning

Reasons People Don’t Drink

31% of men and 18% of women reported no alcohol in last year

Drivers and boaters

Health conditions that worsen with alcohol

Taking medication that is affected by alcohol

Antidepressants, antibiotics, muscle relaxers

History of alcoholism

Older and can’t tolerate alcohol

Avoid Drinking If:

Trying to get pregnant or are pregnant

Under 21 years old

Planning to operate equipment or participate in sports

History of alcoholism

Reasons People Drink

To relax

Heighten sense of masculinity or femininity

Social ease

Role models drink

Advertising

Relationship issues

Individuals With Drinking Problems

These individuals usually drink for different reasons such as:

Psychological factors

Self-medication

Childhood trauma

Depression

Inherited susceptibility

Impact Of Alcohol Misuse In College

Lowered GPA during first year

Depression and anxiety among binge drinkers

Binge within 30 days prior to testing affected spatial working memory

College drop-out after first year

Death, injury, physical attacks and sexual assaults

Binge Drinking Defined

Pattern of drinking that brings Blood Alcohol

Concentration to 0.08 gram-percent

or higher

Pattern of drinking that brings Blood Alcohol

Concentration to 0.08 gram-percent

or higher

Characteristics of College Binge-Drinkers

Binge-drinkers are more-likely to be:Male White

Under 24 years old In fraternity or sorority

Involved in athleticsPracticing unprotected sex

Dissatisfied with body 4-year college attendee

They are also likely to abuse other substances, put people at risk, miss

class and fall behind in school

Why Do Students Binge Drink?

Recreational drinking

at a young age

Low price ofalcohol

Parental acceptanceof drinking Peer pressure

and drinking games

Residing with binge drinkers

Easy access toalcohol

Binge DrinkingMen: 5+ alcoholic drinks

Women: 4+ alcoholic drinks

Other High-Risk Drinking

Caffeinated alcoholic beverages• The caffeine in these drinks may mask the

depressant effects of alcohol, but it has no effect on the metabolism of alcohol by the liver and thus does not reduce breath alcohol concentrations or reduce alcohol-related risks.• Three times more likely to reach the breath

alcohol levels associated with binge drinking than are those who do not report mixing alcohol with energy drinks.• Twice as likely as other drinkers to report

being taken advantage of sexually, taking advantage of someone else sexually, and driving or getting into a car with a driver under the influence of alcohol.

Consequences of Drinking

Atypical behavior

Academic problems

Risky sexual behavior

Sexual assault

Unintentional injury

Consequences beyond college

Illness and death

Alcohol and Academic Success

How to Prevent Drunk Driving

• Designate a driver.• Never get behind the

wheel if you have had two or more drinks within two hours.

• Never let intoxicated friends drive home.

Changing Drinking Patterns on Campus

• Social norms

• Motivational enhancement

• Challenge alcohol expectancy

• Freshman education

• E-interventions

• Alcohol policies

Standard Drinks

Drink DefinitionAlcohol Content

One bottle or can

12 ounces beer 5%

One glass 4-5 ounces table wine 12%

One small glass

2.5 ounces fortified wine 20%

One shot 1 ounce distilled spirits 50%

Standard Drinks

Blood Alcohol Content : BAC

Measured from breath or urine samples

Legal Limit Below 0.08 percent

Pass Out Possible at 0.2%

Coma Possible at 0.3%

Death Possible over 0.4%

Positive effects of alcohol can be felt at BAC of 0.05%

Many Factors Affect BAC

How much and how quickly you drink

Women have fewer alcohol neutralizing enzymes, so one drink has double the impact

People over 50 more sensitive

Tylenol and ulcer medications interfere with alcohol absorption

Race

Eating dilutes alcohol

Size – larger people get drunk more slowly

Alcohol Impairment Chart

Alcohol Impairment Chart

Alcohol Poisoning

Signs

Mental confusion, stupor, coma, person cannot be roused

Vomiting and seizures

Irregular breathing (10 sec between breaths)

Less than 8 breaths/minute

Hypothermia

Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency.

Without treatment, breathing and heartbeat stop

Overview: Effects Of Alcohol

Body Systems Affected By Alcohol

Body Systems Affected By Alcohol

Race and Gender

Alcohol Abuse Defined

Diagnosing Alcohol Abuse

One or more happening in 12-month period:

Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home

Use of alcohol when it is physically dangerous

Alcohol-related legal problems

Continued use despite persistent or recurring social or interpersonal problems exacerbated by alcohol

Alcohol Dependence

Tolerance and Withdrawal In Dependence

Tolerance = 1 or more in 12 monthsMust drink more for desired effect, or less effect when drinking same amount

Withdrawal = 3 or more in 12 monthsAutonomic hyperactivity

Hallucinations

Agitation

Anxiety

Hand tremor

Insomnia

Illusions

Nausea or vomiting

Grand Mal seizure

Diagnosing Alcohol Dependence

Three or more happening in 12-month period:

Tolerance

Withdrawal and drinking to avoid withdrawal

Drinking more or over longer periods

Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce drinking

Significant amount of time spent acquiring, drinking and recovering from alcohol

Characteristics of alcohol dependence

Alcoholism

Characteristics Of Alcoholism

Three or more happening in 12-month period:

Preoccupation with alcohol

Great deal of time spent drinking.

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up

Continued use of alcohol despite adverse consequences

Distorted thinking, most notably denial

Consuming larger amounts of alcohol

Causes of Alcoholism

Exact cause is not known; these factors play a role:

Genetics

Stress and traumatic experiences

Parental alcoholism

Drug abuse

Treatment For Alcoholism

DetoxificationFirst phase of treatment; gradual withdrawal of alcohol or treatment with valium or Ativan

Medical Treatments

Antianxiety and antidepressant medications

Disulfiram (Antabuse) to deter drinking

Residential/In-Patient Programs

Demonstrated success, but expense reduces availability

Treatment For Alcoholism

Outpatient Programs

12-Step self-help programs

Moderation Training

Harm Reduction Therapy

Brief intervention

Responsible Drinking

• Set a limit on the number of drinks consumed.

• When you’re mixing a drink, measure the alcohol.

• Alternate nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks.• Drink slowly.• Eat before and while drinking.• Develop alternatives to drinking.• Avoid tasks requiring skilled reactions during

or after drinking.• Don’t encourage or reinforce others’

irresponsible behavior.