Spencer A Rathus Jeffrey S Nevid Chapter 7

Spencer A. Rathus Jeffrey S. Nevid Chapter 7 Alcohol and Tobacco Vicki L Boye, Ph. D • Concordia University – Nebraska

Chapter 7 Alcohol and Tobacco Learning Outcomes: § Explain what alcohol is § Explain which segments of the population are most likely to drink § Describe the effects of alcohol § Define alcohol abuse and dependence § Discuss the causes of alcoholism § Describe various methods of treating alcoholism § Explain which segments of the population are most likely to smoke § Describe the effects of smoking on health § Discuss the health benefits of quitting smoking

Alcohol • Colorless, flammable liquid • Ethanol – psychoactive chemical • Considered safe to drink in moderate amounts • Produced using fermentation (beers and wine) or distillation (hard liquors) • Alcohol content or strength measured by proof Proof is twice alcohol content (80 proof=40% alcohol)

Who Drinks & How Much § Two-thirds of U. S. adults drink alcoholic beverages § 1/2 are light drinkers; ½ are moderate or heavy drinkers § Alcohol use most prevalent among 21 -34 year olds § European Americans most likely to use alcohol; men are more likely to drink than women § More than half of underage adolescents have used alcohol in the last year § College students § 4 out of 5 students drink, typical student consumes more than 35 gallons of alcoholic beverages each year § 40% report binge drinking in the past 30 days § Adverse effects: academic, sexual activity, other high risk behaviors

Effects of Alcohol Physical Effects: • Depressant drug • “intoxication” • balance, speech, coordination, vital functions – slowed, could become depressed leading to unconsciousness or even death • Factors influencing effects: • gender, weight, tolerance, food in stomach, amount and rate of drinking

Effects of Alcohol Behavioral Effects Dependent on amount consumed; judgment impaired • Sexual Behaviors • Inhibitions may decrease but sexual response may be impeded • Violence • • Alcohol connected to over ½ crimes reported on campus Put people at greater risk for being victimized

Health Effects of Heavy Drinking • Linked to premature death before 65 males 2 x the risk females 3 x the risk

Alcohol Abuse & Dependence Alcohol Abuse: A pattern of heavy or continued drinking that becomes linked with health problems or impaired social functioning. Underage use, drinking games Alcohol Dependence (alcoholism): A state of physical dependence, or addiction to alcoholism, that is characterized by loss of control over it’s use. Body changes in how it responds, biological craving, tolerance and/or withdrawal syndrome develop Delirium tremens – extreme restlessness, sweating, disorientation, and hallucinations

Causes & Treatment of Alcoholism Disease Model: permanent, irreversible physical condition “once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic” Genetic Factors: - sons of alcoholics 4 x greater chance of becoming alcoholics - genes linked to tendency for greater pleasure from alcohol or greater tolerance for negative effects of drinking Other Factors: Contribute to problem drinking Peer pressure, families with lax control or lack of emotional support, single-parent homes, exposure to parents who drink, use of alcohol to self-medicate

Treatment of Alcoholism First step of recovery is recognition of the problem • Treatment options • Detoxification • Alcoholics Anonymous • “recovering alcoholic” – no cure • Psychotherapy and Counseling • Social skills training, aversive conditioning, relapse prevention training • Pharmacological Treatment • Disulfiram (antabuse) – produces nausea, sweating, flushing, headache, if you drink

Tobacco • No medicinal use or safe way to consume • Smoking accounts for 1 in 5 deaths in the U. S. • Contains nicotine – stimulant • Highly addictive – 1/3 of those who tries cigarettes become regular smokers • Who smokes? • Men more than women, although women < 30 fastest growing group • People with less education – more likely to smoke, less likely to quit • Lower socioeconomic status • Ethnic minorities, especially African-American males

Other Forms • Pipe and Cigar Smoking • Don’t inhale or inhale as deeply, still risk from carcinogens • At greater risk for oral cancer than cigarette smokers • Side-stream smoke contain higher levels of carcinogenic particles • Smokeless Tobacco (chew or snuff) • Nicotine passes through mucosal membranes of nose or mouth into bloodstream • Responsible for 3 out of 4 cases of oral cancer • Sidestream Smoking (passive or second-hand) • Contains greater concentration of carcinogens • Can cause heart disease, lung cancer, increased respiratory problems including asthma – especially in children

Reasons for Smoking • Addiction • Leading form of addiction in our society • Associated with tolerance and withdrawal syndrome • Control Weight • Nicotine suppresses appetite and raises metabolic rate • Relieve Anxiety or Depression

Effects of Smoking on Health • Life expectancy cut by: • 13. 2 yrs for males 14. 5 yrs for females • Risk of dying prematurely from a smoking-related cause increases by 50% • Lung cancer risks increase 23 x for males, 13 x for females • Smoking accounts for 80% of deaths from COPD • Women who smoke are at higher risk for • Early menopause • During pregnancy – miscarriages, premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects • Appearance – smoker’s face

It is never to late to quit