ALCOHOL

By: Jenna Washuleski

YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM ALCOHOLISM, OR MAYBE YOU ARE AN OCCASIONAL DRINKER. YOU COULD BE A

FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND OF AN ALCOHOLIC, OR YOU COULD JUST BE A CURIOUS INDIVIDUAL. NO MATTER

WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE WELCOME TO VIEW THIS POWER POINT ON ALCOHOL, ALCOHOLISM, HEALTH

RELATED ISSUES, AND MORE. ALCOHOLISM IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BECOME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THIS 20 MINUTE PRESENTATION. ENJOY.

In the USA, 17.6 million people suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence• That is one in every 12 adults

Several million more who engage in risky, binge drinking patterns that could

lead to alcohol problems.

More than half of all adults have a family history of alcoholism or

problem drinking

More than 7 million children live in a household where at least one parent is dependent on or has abused alcohol. (N

ation

al C

ounc

il on

Alc

ohol

ism

and

Dru

g D

epen

denc

e, In

c.)

WHAT IS ALCOHOL? Alcohol is a legal, sedative drug that changes our mental

and physical state. Central Nervous System depressant Causes behavioral and pharmacological effects Dose not consist of any nutrients Pure alcohol is inflammable, colorless, and odorless Is socially accepted (Not typically seen as a drug) Addictive

It is the most commonly abused substance in the United States

(Hull & Stone, 2004)

DIFFERENT KINDS OF ALCOHOL

Methyl Alcohol

(Poisonous)

Isopropyl Alcohol

(Poisonous)

Ethylene Glycol

(Poisonous)

Ethanol (Drinking Alcohol)

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

TYPES OF DRINKING ALCOHOL

Beer Wine Spirits

(Daughtery & O'Bryan, 2014)

• ½ an ounce of 100% of any drinking alcohol is a standard drink. (Daughtery & O'Bryan, 2014)

What is a Standard Drink?

FACTORS THAT CAUSE US TO REACT TO ALCOHOL DIFFERENTLY Gender

Women are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol Age Race or Ethnicity Weight

Body fat does not dilute alcohol Food consumption How fast they ingest alcohol Use of other drugs, legal (prescription medicines) or

illegal (marijuana, coke, etc.) Family history of alcohol problems.

(National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.)

TYPES OF DRINKERS Current Drinkers

At least 1 drink in past 30 days Binge Drinkers

Heavily drinking on a single occasion at least one day in the past 30 days Women: 4+ Drinks Men: 5+ Drinks

Heavy Drinkers Increased tolerance 5+ drinks in one occasion for 5+ days in the past 30 days

Teetotalers No alcoholic consumption

What kind of drinker are you?

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

FIVE TYPE OF ALCOHOLICSYoung adult

• 32% of alcoholic Americans fall into this category• Begin heavily drinking by age 20• Rarely seek help because this behavior is “typical” for this age. They are “just having fun”.

Young antisocial• 2nd biggest type of alcoholic• Average age 26 and have usually been drinking since 18• 50% diagnosed with antisocial personality

Functional• Characteristically is not seen as an alcoholic.• Middle-aged, employed, stable relationships with others, educated, high income. • 5+ drinks daily

Intermediate familial• Family history of alcoholism. • Believed that their drinking habits are because of their genetics and environment• Often needs residential rehab to get better

Chronic severe• Rarest type, Only 9% of alcoholics fall into this category, mostly men• Does drugs along with alcohol (Futures)

WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM ANYWAY? Alcoholism is when a person is physically and mentally

addicted to ethanol (drinking alcohol). A person suffering with this disease has no control over their

drinking limit, has cravings, experiences health disorders, behavior disorders, tends to make high risk choices, and has a hard time functioning on a social basis and economically.

There is currently no precise point where someone is labeled as an alcoholic.

Tolerance surpasses trigger level

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

WHAT INFLUENCES SOMEONE TO DRINK?

Biological (Cannot Change)

• Your chances of alcoholism are higher if you have family history of alcohol abuse

• (Alcoholism is the number one inherited mental illness)

• Everyone is different based off genetics

• Risks are set at birth (Trigger Level)

Psychological (Can Control)

• Come from within• Consists of one’s

values, preferences, mental health, and attitude.

• Personality traits such as sensation seekers, extroverts, rebels, and those who are impulsive.

Sociological (Can prevent)

• External factors• Drink specials,

sporting and holiday events, weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, advertising, peers, etc.

(Daughtery & O'Bryan, 2014)

REMEMBER…. Influences only put an individual at HIGH RISK. Someone can have history of alcoholism and not develop

alcohol related issues. Someone can not have history of alcoholism and develop

dependence on alcohol. It is important to be aware of what our high risk factors are so

we can prevent building tolerance which leads to alcohol related health issues.

TOLERANCE & TRIGGER LEVELS Some individuals have an increased, lower, or standard trigger

level that is determined at birth. When there is increased biological risk, the individual will have

a lower trigger level. Every time someone makes a high level risk choice, their

bodies will adapt, and their tolerance will increase. Over time, their tolerance builds and builds.

Eventually, their tolerance will surpass their trigger level resulting in health related issues.

(Daughtery & O'Bryan, 2014)

THIS METHOD CONCEPTUALIZES THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALCOHOL RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS.

Biology +

Quantity & Frequency Of High Risk Choices

Based Off Sociological & Psychological Influences

= Outcome

(Daughtery & O'Bryan, 2014)

THE PREVIOUS SLIDE IS EASIER TO EXPLAIN BY USING THIS FORMULA.

WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES OF THIS

FORMULA? Damage to our

Brain Nervous System Digestive System Gastrointestinal Problems

Pancreatitis Fetus

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): facial deformities, growth deficiencies, and mental retardation

Liver Hepatotoxic Effect Alcoholic Hepatitis Cirrhosis

Kidneys Endocrine System Blood

High blood pressure Mental disorders and

damage to the brain Wernicke-Korsakoff’s

syndrome Sexual Organs

Reproducing Cardiovascular System

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy

Click here to watch what alcohol does to our bodies.

(Han

son,

Ven

ture

lli &

Ann

ette,

201

2)

Lets break down the physical and

mental outcomes by alcohol dosageLow to moderateModerate High High quantity at high

frequency

LOW TO MODERATE DOSESImpair motor activity, reflexes, and

coordinationImpact how the individual acts socially

depending on setting and mental state. Results can be:Euphoria, sociable, and talkativeViolent and argumentative

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

MODERATE DOSESCreates a minor increase in heart rateSlightly dilated blood vessels in

arms, legs, and skin An increase in urine output Stimulates appetiteTemporarily lowers blood pressure

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

HIGH DOSESCauses drowsiness and causes sleepStimulates a hangover when drinking

stopsCreates difficulty in walking, talking, and

thinkingThe individual can experience blackouts

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

HIGH QUANTITY AT HIGH FREQUENCYBlood alcohol level between 0.4 – 0.6Impaired coordinationConfusionDisorientationCan even result to anesthesia, a coma,

and even death.

MORE PROBLEMS ALCOHOL CREATES Individuals can also experience emotional, social, and financial

problems If someone who frequently makes high risk choices tries to

stop drinking, he/she will experience withdrawals Shaky hands Sweating Mild anxiety Headache Insomnia Nausea Vomiting Fever

Extreme withdrawal symptoms:• Seizures• Hallucinations• Irregular heartbeat• Severe confusion

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

POLY-DRUG USEMixing Alcohol with other drugsAlcohol increases the affects of other CNS

depressantsReduces side effects of other drugsSomeone may combine alcohol with an

expensive or difficult-to-get drug Enhances the desired effect Won’t have to use as much of the drug

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX, WRITE DOWN THE PROS AND CONS BASED ON YOUR LOW RISK CHOICES TOWARDS ALCOHOL. THEN WRITE DOWN THE PROS AND CONS OF CONTINUED HIGH RISK CHOICES.

Low Risk Choices High Risk Choices

PROS

CONS

This activity will provide you with important information you can use in making a new choice.

(Dau

ghte

ry &

O'B

ryan

, 201

4)

WAYS TO QUIT DRINKING Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings AODA Counseling Get rid of temptations Announce your goal to family, friends, co-workers, etc., and ask for

their support Avoid bad influences Develop new hobbies and interests Motivate yourself and set goals

Reward yourself for progress Learn from the past

You might have relapsed (return to your addiction), but do not let that discourage you! Know what works for you, and what doesn’t.

BE POSITIVE! (Josh, 2014)

MEDICATIONSIf someone is trying to quit drinking alcohol, they might need medication to help with the process. Disulfiram (Antabuse): Alters the way alcohol

metabolizes when a person consumes it. Results in painful symptoms Reduces the desire to drink

Natrexone (opiate antagonist): Dismisses craving in 20% of alcoholics

Acamprosate (Campral): Reduces withdrawal symptoms

(Hanson, Venturelli & Annette, 2012)

SELF ASSESSMENTAnswer YES OR NO the following questions for the last 12 months of your drinking use:1. When I drink, I drink more than what is recommended. 2. It now takes more alcohol for me to get intoxicated than when I started.3. I function best in groups when I am making high risk drinking choices.4. Have you wanted or needed to cut down on your drinking in the last year?5. In the last year, have you ever drank more than you meant to?6. Have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?7. Have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of

drinking?8. Have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because

you had been drinking?9. Have you needed a drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy

drinking episode?10. Have you tried to cut back on your drinking but could not?11. Sometimes when I start drinking, it is like something takes over and I get drunk

without meaning to.

(Daughtery & O'Bryan, 2014)

Based on your answers, what do you need/want to improve on?

PROS FOR QUITTING DRINKING

You will…• Physically and emotionally feel better• Reduce alcohol related health problems• Save money• Live longer• Strengthen and build relationships• Improve in your career

(Smith, Robinson & Segal, 2014)

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

RESOURCES Hull , J. G., & Stone, L. B. (2004). What is alcohol?. Retrieved

from http://www.drugs.ie/alcohol_info/about_alcohol/what_is_alcohol/

Daughtery, R., & O'Bryan, T. (2014). Prime for life. (8.0 ed.). Lexington, Kentucky, USA: Prevention Research Institute.

Futures, P. B. (n.d.). The different types of alcoholics. Retrieved from http://www.futuresofpalmbeach.com/alcoholism/types-of-alcoholics/

Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2014, February ).Alcohol addiction treatment & self-help. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alcoholism_help_treatment_prevention.htm

RESOURCES CONTINUED Josh. (2014). The benefits of quitting drinking – why

should you stop?. Retrieved from http://www.cleanandsoberlive.com/the-benefits-of-quitting-drinking-why-should-you-stop/

Hanson, G., Venturelli, P., & Annette, F. (2012). Drugs and society. (11th ed., pp. 182-243). Burlington, MA, USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (n.d.). Learn about alcohol faq facts. Retrieved from http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/learn-about-alcohol/faqsfacts