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Kids and Alcohol

Kids and Alcohol. Information and Prevention. February 2009. Training Objectives. Recognize the dangers associated with children and adolescents drinking alcohol. Identify the short term and long term effects of drinking alcohol. Recognize why children and teens drink alcohol.

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Kids and Alcohol

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  1. Kids and Alcohol Information and Prevention February 2009

  2. Training Objectives • Recognize the dangers associated with children and adolescents drinking alcohol. • Identify the short term and long term effects of drinking alcohol. • Recognize why children and teens drink alcohol.

  3. Define binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. • Identify the signs of someone who may be abusing alcohol. • Identify some things parents can do to prevent underage drinking.

  4. Kids and Alcohol: A Serious Problem • The number one drug of choice for children and adolescents is alcohol. • Children who drink alcohol before the age of 15, are five times more likely to have alcohol problems than those that start drinking after age 21. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - SAMHSA)

  5. Adults, age 21 or older, who had first used alcohol before age 21, were more likely to be classified with alcohol dependence, than adults who had their first drink at age 21 (9.6% vs. 2.1%). • 2.6 million young people do not know that a person can die of an overdose of alcohol. (SAMHSA) • Twenty-eight percent (28%) of 15- to 20-year-old drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2005, had been drinking. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

  6. A study has shown that students diagnosed with alcohol abuse were four times more likely to experience major depression than those without an alcohol problem. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - NIAAA) • In 2005, about 10.8 million people ages 12-20 (28.2% of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Nearly 7.2 million (18.8%) were binge drinkers and 2.3 million (6.0%) were heavy drinkers. (SAMHSA)

  7. Facts About Alcohol • When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream and travels to all tissues. • The effects of alcohol depend on a variety of factors. A person’s weight, sex, age and size are all factors affecting alcohol consumption.

  8. According to Kids Health, alcohol is a depressant. This means it slows the function of the central nervous system. • Alcohol actually blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision and hearing. • In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. The more alcohol a person drinks, the greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication.

  9. Effects of Alcohol • According to the NIAAA, the following are short-term effects of alcohol: • Alcohol can make people lose their inhibitions. It is a main reason why many people drink alcohol. • Moderate alcohol consumption can also lead to dizziness and talkativeness.

  10. Immediate effects of a large amount of alcohol include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea and vomiting. • Even low to moderate amounts of alcohol consumption can lead to a significant impairment to the judgment and coordination it takes to drive a vehicle.

  11. Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also increase the incidence of violent acts, including domestic violence and child abuse. • Hangovers are another result of alcohol, resulting in a headache, thirst, nausea and fatigue.

  12. According to NIAAA, the following are long-term effects of prolonged use of alcohol: • Prolonged and heavy use of alcohol can lead to addiction. • If someone suddenly stops drinking after alcohol has been consumed on a long-term basis, this is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms. These include hallucinations, convulsions, tremors and anxiety.

  13. Long term effects of consuming large amounts of alcohol, especially combined with poor nutrition, can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the liver and brain. • Mothers who drink alcohol while pregnant, may give birth to infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

  14. Why Do Kids Drink? • Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common. • Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are curiosity, to feel good, to reduce stress and relax, to fit in and to feel older. • Alcohol may seem harmless to many teens. This may be due to the advertising messages they’ve watched. Many teens have also seen their parents and other adults drink socially or have a beer or wine with dinner. (Kids Health)

  15. Childhood Drinking • According to SAMHSA, alcohol has a negative impact on health. It can damage every organ in a person’s body. This includes a child’s developing brain. Alcohol impacts coordination, impulse control, memory and judgment. • Alcohol use in childhood is also correlated with violence, risky sexual behavior, poor academic performance, alcohol-related driving incidents and other harmful behaviors. Alcohol use is also linked with youth deaths by drowning, suicide and homicide.

  16. What is Binge Drinking? • According to WebMD, at some teen parties, the emphasis is on drinking to get drunk. • Binge drinking happens when someone drinks more than four (for women) or five (for men) alcoholic drinks in about two hours. Binge drinking is the most harmful type of drinking. • Binge drinking can result in alcohol poisoning.

  17. Alcohol Poisoning • According to Kids Health, alcohol poisoning can occur when large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time. • Alcohol poisoning is the body becoming poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. • Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures and even death may result.

  18. Signs of Alcohol Use • According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, there are signs parents can look for, if they think their child is abusing alcohol: • Slurred speech or difficulty expressing a thought intelligibly • Lack of coordination, poor balance • Can not walk a straight line

  19. Can not focus on another person’s eyes • Red eyes or flushed face • Morning headaches, nausea, weakness or sweatiness • Odor of alcohol on breath or in sweat

  20. Signs Someone Is Using Drugs or Alcohol The Partnership for a Drug Free America lists the following signs that someone who is using drugs or alcohol may show.

  21. Physical Signs: • Sudden or dramatic weight loss • Slurred or agitated speech • Bloodshot eyes • Sick more frequently • Has accidents or injuries • Neglected appearance / poor hygiene

  22. Behavioral Signs: • Emotional instability • Failure to fulfill responsibilities at school or work • Missing school or work • Complaints from teachers or co-workers • Reports of intoxication at school or work

  23. Hyperactive or hyper-aggressive • Lying and covering up, secretive behaviors • Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities • Avoiding eye contact • Depression • Going out every night • Change in friends or peer group

  24. Change in clothing or appearance • Unusual smells on clothing or breath. Heavy use of over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye reddening, nasal irritation or bad breath • Hidden stashes of alcohol • Alcohol missing from a parent’s supply

  25. Money and valuables missing • Disappearances for long periods of time • Running away • Secretive phone calls • Unusual containers or wrappers

  26. What Can Parents Do to Prevent Underage Drinking? • If a parent finds alcohol in their child’s room or their backpack, or if they smell alcohol on their breath, they should not ignore it. • According to SAMHSA, there are many things parents can do to prevent underage drinking.

  27. Parents need to learn the warning signs and the ways alcohol can harm a child’s mind, body and emotions. • Parents should talk early and often with their child. Children should know what their parents expect of them, if they are offered alcohol at anytime or anywhere. • Parents need to get involved in their child’s activities. Children should be encouraged to participate in supervised groups, clubs and events that are fun and alcohol free.

  28. Children often see their parents as role models. It is important for parents to think about what they say and how they act in front of their children. • Children must be taught how to choose friends wisely and how to form positive relationships. • Parents should set the rules, such as no riding with anyone who has been drinking. If children and adolescents find themselves in that situation, parents should assure them they will come and get them or help them find a safe way home.

  29. SAMHSA reminds parents that the earlier they start talking to their children about drinking, the more influence they may have on their values and decisions. • Several short conversations are better than a long lecture. • Children need to know their parents are proud of them when they make good decisions.

  30. Kids Health offers more tips for parents to try: • Keep tabs on where their children go. • Know the parents of their child's friends. • Parents should always make sure they have a phone number where they can reach their child. • Kids should check in regularly, when they are away from home. • When spending an extended length of time away from a parent, children should check in periodically with a phone call, email or visit home.

  31. Resources for Families • If a parent finds out their child has an alcohol problem, there are resources such as: • SAMHSA National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline • 800-662-HELP (4357) • dasis3.samhsa.gov • Information, support, treatment options, and referrals to local rehab centers for any drug or alcohol problem. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

  32. Alateen • 800-344-2666 • al-anon.alateen.org • Alateen is a recovery program for young people which helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with a problem drinker. • National Youth Crisis Hotline • 800-442-HOPE (4673) • 1800hithome.com • Provides counseling and referrals to local drug treatment centers, shelters, and counseling services. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

  33. For More Information Visit These Websites: • Kids Health, http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.html • MedicineNet.com, http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_teens/article.htm • Partnership for a Drug Free America, http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/Alcohol • SADD, http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm

  34. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo992/http://www.family.samhsa.gov/get/warnAlcohol.aspx • WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/teens-and-alcohol • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

  35. Missouri Department of Social Services State Technical Assistance Team Address: PO Box 208Jefferson City, MO 65102-0208 Telephone: (573) 751-5980(800) 487-1626(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday) Email: dls.stat@dss.mo.gov

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