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Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven. Alcohol: Responsible Approaches to Drinking. Patterns of Alcohol Use. More than 60% of American adults drink at least occasionally One-third of the adult U.S. population are non-drinkers (abstainers) Of the two-thirds who do consume alcohol, 10% are heavy drinkers

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Chapter Eleven

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  1. Chapter Eleven Alcohol: Responsible Approaches to Drinking

  2. Patterns of Alcohol Use • More than 60% of American adults drink at least occasionally • One-third of the adult U.S. population are non-drinkers (abstainers) • Of the two-thirds who do consume alcohol, 10% are heavy drinkers • Moderate drinkers are men who drink no more than two drinks per day or women who drink no more than one drink per day • Light drinkers are men who drink less than two drinks per day or women who drink less than one drink per day

  3. Alcohol Drinking Patterns Across the Lifespan • Roots of drinking behavior are established in the adolescent years • People are most likely to drink as adolescents and during early adulthood • Older adults drink significantly less than younger adults • Women drink less than men and start drinking later in life • It takes less time for women to develop a drinking problem compared to men

  4. Ethnic Differences in Alcohol Use • Alcohol use is higher among whites than African Americans • Hispanic men have higher percentages of alcohol use than other ethnic groups • Among Native Americans, alcoholism is recognized as the number one health concern • Asian Americans have lower consumption rates than white Americans, possibly due to genetic biological reactions towards alcohol

  5. Why do People Drink? • Biological Factors • Genetic alcohol dependence • Psychosocial Factors • Compensatory drinking (coping mechanism) • External motivations (project certain image) • Parenting and family environment • Developmental staging • Socio-cultural/Environmental Factors • Cultural attitudes • Economic factors • Level of stress

  6. Binge Drinking • Binge Drinking is consuming 5 or more drinks in a row for a man or 4 or more drinks in a row for a woman • The Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (2000) determined than 84% of college students drank alcohol • About half were binge drinkers, men being the more frequent drinkers compared to women • First year college women binged more than other women

  7. Death Injury Assault Sexual Abuse Unsafe Sex Academic Problems Health Problems/Suicide Drunk Driving Vandalism Property Damage Police Involvement Alcohol Abuse and dependence Possible Consequences of College Drinking

  8. Why Do College Students Binge Drink? • Some students see drinking as an assertion of autonomy and adult status • Some may use this to ease social inhibitions, to fit in with peer groups • Some may use drinking to reduce stress or cope with academic pressures • Students who started drinking before age 16 are more likely to be binge drinkers

  9. Approaches to Change Alcohol Consumption Patterns on College Campuses • Restricting Alcohol Use • Zero tolerance at all campus events • Changing students’ perspective about alcohol use • Responsible drinking messages • Recognizing environmental contributors as the problems • Addressing the surrounding environment • Students who are considered ‘high-risk’

  10. What is Alcohol? • It is a small molecule which must be digested and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream via the stomach and small intestine • Once it reaches the brain, alcohol alters brain chemistry and neurotransmitter functions • Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which impairs movement and thinking • As alcohol concentrations increase, more functions are depressed, and greater impairment occurs

  11. Food in the stomach Gender Age Drug interaction Cigarette smoking Mood and physical condition Alcohol concentration Carbonation Expectations Factors Affecting Alcohol Absorption

  12. How is Alcohol Metabolized? • A small amount of alcohol is broken down by the stomach however 90% is metabolized by the liver • Between 2-10% is not metabolized at all and is excreted by the skin, urine, or breath • The liver allows conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde by an enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase) ADH and is converted into acetic acid • Acetic acid is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water

  13. Blood Alcohol Concentration • Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC): amount of alcohol (in grams) in 100 milliliters of blood, expressed as a percentage • 100 mgs of alcohol in 100 mls of blood is equivalent to a BAC of .10% • Breath analyzers are valid based upon alcohol concentrations in the breath that correspond well to levels of alcohol in the brain • The amount of body water and body fat a person has influences the BAC levels in the body

  14. Gender Differences in Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism • Women are generally more susceptible to the effects of alcohol and have a higher BAC than men due to the following: • Less body weight • Higher body fat percentage • ADH differences • Menstrual cycle • Use of oral contraceptives • These differences create further health consequences such as: • Liver Disease • Heart Disease • Brain Damage

  15. Possible Short-Term Results of Alcohol Consumption • Acute alcohol intoxication is a life-threatening blood alcohol concentration which can produce collapse of vital body functions • Vomiting may be activated if a BAC reaches .12% or higher in a rapid method (binge drinking) • A blackout may occur if a drinker has impaired memory function but stays conscious • Hangovers are a result of a common reaction to alcohol toxicity which causes a variety of symptoms

  16. Heart Disease Stroke Abnormal heart rhythm Liver Disease (cirrhosis) Cancer Brain Damage Altered Immune System Malnutrition Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use

  17. Societal Problems Associated with Alcohol Use • Unplanned sexual behavior and activity, leading to unplanned pregnancies or risk of a sexually transmitted disease • Violence and increased risk for date rape or exploitation • Risk of injury • Drunk driving • Alcoholism • Suicide risk

  18. Alcohol Misuse • Problem drinker: someone who establishes a pattern that impairs the life of the drinker as well as others • Alcohol abuse: a pattern of drinking which leads to distress or impairment of health and/or social problems • Alcohol dependence: a disorder characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, which results in withdrawal symptoms • Alcoholism: a chronic disease characterized by excessive, compulsive drinking • Withdrawal symptoms occur when the usage stops abruptly, a sign of dependence

  19. Treatment Options • Brief Interventions • Primary care physician • Inpatient Treatment • Residential facilities • Detoxification • Medications • Counseling • Outpatient Treatment • Counseling • Self-help Approaches • Support groups (AA)

  20. Developing A Behavior Change Plan • Following a behavior change plan can assist you with reducing alcohol consumption • Record Behavior Patterns • Analyze Your Drinking Diary • Establish Goals • Implement Your Plan • Evaluate Your Results

  21. Chapter Eleven Alcohol: Responsible Approaches to Drinking

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