Understanding Alcohol: Risks, Effects & Consequences

1. Alcohol Compiled by Todd Corabi Some slides were taken from Glencoe Health’s pre-made Alcohol presentation…teen health curriculum

2. What Is Alcohol? Alcohol is a drug created by a chemical reaction in some foods, especially fruits and grains. Found in beer, wine, whiskey, and other beverages, alcohol affects a person physically and mentally. Using alcohol may result in chemical dependency on this substance and cause several health problems.

3. The Chemical Makeup Of Alcohol • Ethyl alcohol or ethanol – the intoxicating substance • Fermentation – yeast organisms break down plant sugars, yielding ethanol and carbon dioxide • Distillation – alcohol vapors from the fermented mash are collected and mixed with water • Proof – measure of percentage of alcohol, the alcohol percentage is 50 percent of the given proof • 100 proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol by volume

4. Understanding the Risks People who drink alcohol or take other drugs expose themselves to serious and deadly physical, mental/emotional, and social harm. Being aware of the consequences of alcohol and drug use can help you: • Stay away from risk situations. • Make the right decision if you find yourself in a risk situation. • Feel confident about choosing not to use alcohol or drugs.

5. How Alcohol Affects the Body A person can feel the effects of alcohol just a few minutes after taking the first drink. People who drink large quantities of alcohol also risk serious long-term effects such as permanent damage to organs and even death. (see next slide)

6. Immediate Effects • The primary action of alcohol is to depress the central nervous system • Diuretic – results in fluid being drawn out of cerebrospinal fluid and leads to mitochondrial dehydration • Alcohol irritates the gastrointestinal system • Hangover • Congeners – forms of alcohol that are metabolized slower than ethanol and more toxic • Drug interactions

7. Some short term physical effects Brain Impaired judgment, reasoning, memory, concentration; slowed reaction time, decreased coordination; slurred speech; distorted vision and hearing; reduced inhibitions; alcohol poisoning, causing unconsciousness and even death. Heart Increased heart rate. Blood Vessels Enlarged blood vessels, creating false sense of warmth. Stomach Vomiting, which can lead to choking and death. Liver Processes of the liver, which filters out over 90% of the alcohol in the body, may become unbalanced. Kidneys Increased urination, which can result in dehydration, headache, and dizziness.

8. Physical Risks Loss of physical coordination Reduced strength Difficulty walking, running, dancing, and playing sports Low energy levels Slowed reflexes Muscle twitches and cramps Decreased endurance

9. Short term Physical/Mental effects: • Tiredness 2) Slow or staggered speech 3) decrease in vision 4) Decrease in motor skills like walking 5) decrease reaction time 6) impossible to think clearly 7) thins blood 8) Increased heart rate 9) nausea 10) Memory loss/ black outs 11) dilates blood vessels near skin which makes you feel warmer but you actually loose heat faster 12) mood swings 13) Decrease in decision making skills

10. Short term Emotional and Social problems • Drinking and Driving: 4th leading cause of death in the United States • Alcohol is involved in about 55% of all accidents • 75% of all murders • 55% of all people arrested for Sexual Assault or rape • 40% of all Suicides • 76% of all violence reported in people 16 and over • 60% of all arrests

11. Differing Effects The more alcohol a person drinks, the more he or she will be affected. Other factors that determine how a person will be affected (and will be discussed more in depth on a later lesson) include the following: • Size and gender • Food in the stomach • How fast a person drinks • Other substances, such as illegal drugs, in the body

12. TEEN Alcohol use Many teens begin drinking because their friends do. Often, teens do it to “get away” or because they feel “it’s just what you should do”. Others do it to be part of the crowd. Regardless, alcohol consumption in the United States* is illegal for all under 21. Anyone caught drinking runs the risk of not being permitted to get their Driving License until age 21. In addition, teen brains are continuing to grow and under-age drinking may contribute to decreased cognitive development. (*the drinking age varies from country to country)

13. Some Long term physical Effects Brain Brain cell destruction, nervous system disorders, and memory loss. Heart Irregular heartbeat, heart muscle damage. Blood Vessels High blood pressure; stroke. Liver Cirrhosis, or scarring and destruction of liver tissue, and liver cancer. Both can cause death. Stomach Ulcers (open sores) in the stomach lining; stomach cancer. Kidneys Kidney failure resulting from high blood pressure.

14. Long Term Physical Effects Liver Damage: 80% of all liver damage comes from alcohol Cirrhosis = scarring of the liver that can not be repaired* is Inflammation similar to Hepatitis can also occur if liver gets infected, all other organs will eventually too Decrease in immune system = more frequent colds etc Heart Disease and impaired heart muscle function Broken blood vessels particularly in cheeks and nose inability to digest foods properly

15. Long Term Physical Effects continued Stomach ulcers Birth Defects Mental Retardation, slow growth, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Pre-Mature labor to name a few Various cancers including cancer of liver, stomach, kidneys, bladder. can not perform motor functions safely such as playing sports, driving cars, operating machinery which can harm yourself or others when not drinking

16. Mental/Emotional Effects Reduced ambition Addiction Suicide Trouble communicating Confusion Depression Irritability Lack of concentration Anger Poor judgment Anxiety Loss of memory Loss of inhibitions Inability to solve problems

17. Some Long Term Intellectual, Social, Emotional Risks Drug and alcohol users often feel bad about themselves and have trouble relating to others. The ability to think and learn is impaired by alcohol and drug use due to: Memory Loss and Problems concentrating Perception decreases (where things are / how far they are) Nerve singles slow which leads to motor abilities decrease Higher risk of: Divorce, loss of family, Job Loss, poor grades Higher tendency of Violence or abuse towards others, Loss of driving privileges

18. Risks in School Teens who use alcohol or other drugs may: • Be late or miss school often. • Do poorly in school because they are unable to pay attention. • Behave in ways that get them suspended or expelled. • Miss the opportunity to be involved in school activities. • Let down classmates or teammates because of poor performance. • Lose the chance to learn new skills and develop their abilities. • Fail to meet long-term goals.

19. Risks to the Unborn Use of alcohol or other drugs by pregnant females can result in: • Serious diseases and birth defects in the fetus. • Delays in development and learning disabilities. • Addiction to drugs at birth. • Fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes developmental delays and psychological and behavioral problems throughout life.

20. Getting Help To get help for yourself or for a friend, or family member who has an alcohol or drug problem: • Talk to trusted adults like parents, teachers, religious leaders, or counselors. • If you feel uncomfortable talking to these adults about your problems, you can turn to organizations that offer counseling and treatment.

21. Reasons to Avoid Alcohol and Drugs There are many good reasons to avoid alcohol and drugs. Remind yourself: • Alcohol and drugs can harm my health. • I do not show respect for myself if I use alcohol or drugs. • My future means too much to me to ruin it. • I’d rather be in control of what I do. • Alcohol and drugs can take away my energy. • Using alcohol or drugs means breaking the law. • My true friends don’t try to convince me to use drugs.

22. Alternatives to Alcohol Finding healthy ways to spend time is a good way to avoid substance use. Here are some ideas: • Join an activity at school. • Volunteer. • Participate in any alcohol- and drug-free events taking place in the community.