ALCOHOL IS A DRUG Alcohol Alcohol What is

ALCOHOL IS A DRUG

Alcohol

Alcohol

What is Alcohol? �Also known as ethanol which is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. �Alcohol can be made synthetically, or produced naturally by fermentation of fruits, vegetables, or grains.

Fermentation �Chemical action of yeast on sugars.

Alcohol is a Depressant �Alcohol causes the CNS to slow down. �It may give you a “buzz” but sooner or later you will become intoxicated.

What does it mean to be Intoxicated?

Intoxication �Physical and mental impairment resulting from the use of alcohol.

What does alcohol do? �It robs the body of its ability to absorb key nutrients and if used long-term can lead to malnutrition.

Myth or Fact �When a person has a hangover, coffee, a cold shower, or fresh air will sober you up? �Beer and wine are safer drinks than “hard” liquors like whiskey.

Alcohol and Teens �Alcohol consumption among teens is rising. �Nearly 5 million problem drinkers in this country are between the ages of 14 -17.

Why do teens drink?

Alcohol is a factor in… �Unplanned pregnancies �STD’s �Dating violence �Homicides

Factors that affect teen alcohol use… �Friends �Family �Advertisements

Did you know? �Advertisers spend over $1 billion a year promoting alcoholic beverages. �By the time teens reach 9 th grade they will have seen more ads for wine and beer than for any other product.

Advertisers portray drinking as… �A healthful environment �Attractive people in the ads �Successful �Romantic �Working situations and recreational opportunities

Short-Term Effects of Drinking �Depresses the activity of the brain by slowing the work of the CNS. Become disorganized, and lose concentration. �Dilates the blood vessels increasing the flow of blood. This makes the skin feel warm. �Increases the output of the heart.

Alcohol also affects… �The kidneys causing them to produce more urine and possibly dehydration. �Irritate the lining of the stomach which could lead to internal bleeding.

Experts have found that alcohol… �Reduces the ability to judge distances, speeds, and turns. �Increases the tendency to take risks �Slows reflexes �What are some consequences of this? ?

Driving while Intoxicated �Leading cause of death among teenagers. �Each day in the U. S. 11 teenagers are killed and over 350 are injured in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes.

Drinking and Driving

Long-Term Effects �Brain Damage- can lead to decrease in brain size. �Chronic liver problems-interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fats. �Fatty liver-condition where fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down. -Leads to cell death

Cirrhosis �Cirrhosis means “scarring. ” �Caused by heavy alcohol use. �Condition in which liver tissue is destroyed and then replaced with useless scar tissue.

Tolerance �People who drink regularly may develop a tolerance. �Some people become physiologically dependent on alcohol. Their body develops a chemical need for alcohol.

Multiplier Effect �Occurs when two or more medicines are taken simultaneously. �Impairs both mental and physical abilities. �Can lead to accidental deaths.

Alcohol and Pregnancy �Fetal alcohol syndrome- condition in which a fetus has been adversely affected mentally and physically by its mother’s heavy alcohol use during pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome �Babies may have the following problems: low birth weight, impaired speech, cleft palate, general weakness, slow body growth, facial abnormalities, poor coordination, and heart defects.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcohol and Society �Binge drinking-periodic excessive drinking. �Popular among high school and college students. �Alcohol poisoning- occurs when person drinks large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.

Binge Drinking

Alcoholism �Physical and psychological dependence on the drug ethanol.

Traits of an Alcoholic �Preoccupied with alcohol. �Can’t manage tension without drinking. �Personality changes or memory lapses. �Can’t predict how much they will drink.

It is estimated… �That there are more than 3 million teen alcoholics. � 20 -35 % of all suicides involved alcohol

Cost to Society �Alcohol claims about 100, 000 Americans a year. �Contributes to about 6 million nonfatal and 15, 000 fatal injuries per year.

Alcohol Free