ALCOHOL AWARENESS – FACT VS. FICTION

University of Houston OrientationKathy Muller, guest instructor

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Objectives Identify the different alcohol types, and distinguish poisonous from

common alcohol. Explain why alcohol is a drug. Define one (1) drink of alcohol. Describe 4 factors that affect individual blood alcohol levels. Know the blood alcohol level (BAL) Rule of Thumb. Understand the difference between moderate alcohol use, alcohol

abuse, and binge drinking. Distinguish hangover prevention myths and misconceptions from

facts Know emergency procedures for alcohol poisoning

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Key Terms Drug Licit Drug Psychoactive Drug Depressant Social Lubricant Synergistic Effect Blood Alcohol Level One drink Moderate use Abuse Binge drinking

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Drug - any substance that modifies body functions. Licit Drug - legal drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco. Psychoactive Drug - substance that affects the central nervous system

and alters consciousness and/or perceptions. Depressant - sedative drugs such as alcohol, barbiturates,

benzodiazepines, and methaqualone. Social Lubricant - the belief that drinking represses inhibitions and

increases sociability. Synergistic Effect - the ability of one drug to enhance the effect of

another.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Blood alcohol level (BAL) - the concentration of alcohol found in the blood, often expressed as a percentage.

One drink - one 12-oz. bottle of beer or wine cooler, or one 5-oz. glass of wine, or 1.5-oz. of 80 proof “hard” liquor.

Moderate use - two (2) drinks per 24 hours for men; one (1) drink per 24 hours for women.

Abuse - the willful misuse of either licit or illicit drugs for recreation or convenience.

Binge drinking - consumption of five (5) or more drinks in one sitting.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact or Fiction? There is more than one type of alcohol. Fact. The four (4) types of alcohol are:

Methyl (methanol) - wood alcohol Isopropyl - antiseptic alcohol Ethylene glycol - antifreeze Ethanol - used in distilled liquor

Ethanol is the only alcohol used for human consumption; the other alcohols are poisonous.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact or Fiction? Alcohol isn’t a drug, not like marijuana or cocaine. Fiction. Alcohol is an addictive, psychoactive drug that is a central

nervous system depressant. Alcohol is the 2nd most widely used and abused of all psychoactive drugs.

Q: What drug is the most widely used and abused drug? A: Caffeine

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Alcohol as a Social Drug: Social psychologists refer to the perception of alcohol as a social lubricant. This term implies that drinking is misconceived as a “safe” drug activity which represses inhibitions and increases sociability.

On the Addiction Potential scale, alcohol ranks higher than heroin, cocaine, PCP, and marijuana.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Why do many people have to be reminded that alcohol is a drug? It’s legal Media promotes drinking as normal behavior Large distribution and sales of alcohol Long history of alcohol use dating back to 30,000 B.C.

Q: Do Americans drink more or less now than ~170 years ago?

A: Americans consumed more than twice as much alcohol in 1830 (7.1 gallons) as they do now (2-3 gallons).

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact. Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) is the concentration of alcohol found in the blood, usually expressed as a percentage. BAL depends on 4 factors: presence of food in the stomach concentration of alcohol drinkers body composition rate of alcohol consumption

Alcoholic beverages are high in calories and carbohydrates, but contain no other nutrients.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact. The blood alcohol level produced is affected by the presence of food in the stomach. Fatty foods, meat, and milk slow the absorption of alcohol, allowing

more time for its metabolism and reducing the peak concentration in the blood.

When alcoholic beverages are taken with a substantial meal, peak BAL may be as much as 50% lower than it would have been had the alcohol been consumed by itself.

Diluting an alcoholic drink with water helps to slow down absorption, but mixing with carbonated beverages

increases the absorption rate.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

A: All have the same amount of alcohol

Q: Which has more alcohol?

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact or Fiction? Almost 95% of consumed alcohol is inactivated by the liver metabolism.

Fact. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a slow and constant rate, which is unaffected by the amount ingested; the liver detoxifies one (1) ounce of alcohol per one (1) hour.

BAL Rule of Thumb: 1 ounce = 1 hour.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact or Fiction? Alcohol is good for your heart.

Fact. Several studies have reported that moderate drinkers (no more than 1-2 drinks per day) are less likely to develop heart disease than people who do not drink any alcohol or who drink larger amounts.

Moderation is the key.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact or Fiction? There are safe levels of drinking.

Fact and Fiction. Most adults can drink moderate amounts of alcohol---up to two (2) drinks per day for men and one (1) drink per day for women and older people---and avoid alcohol-related problems.

For women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, there is no safe level of drinking; the safest course is to abstain from alcohol.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS

Fact or Fiction? Alcohol affects a woman’s body differently from a man’s body.

Like this presentation and want to know more? Contact me @ kmuller@iced.net 281.256.4324

CREDITS AND RESOURCES

Hanson, G., and Venturelli, P. (1998). Drugs and Society. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.samhsa.gov/

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information. http://www.health.org/

RU Aware? Alcohol Awareness Page, Radford University. http://www.runet.edu/~kcastleb/toc.html

CREDITS AND RESOURCES

Facts on Tap: Alcohol and Your College Experience. http://www.factsontap.org/

The Wellness Center, Brookhaven, PA. http://brookhavenboro.com/wellness/alcohol-impairment-chart/

Blood Alcohol Calculators courtesy of University of Houston Wellness Center (713/743-5498)

Adonis Coles, “UH Alcohol Survey” Beer Is My Life! http://beerismylife.com/ Cocktails with Kathy Hamlin.

http://cocktails.miningco.com/food/cocktails/ Starbucks Home page. http://www.starbucks.com