Medical Consequences of Alcohol Use

1. Medical Consequences of Alcohol Use

3. Medical consequences of heavy, long term drinking • Every system, organ and tissue is adversely affected by alcohol misuse • Alcohol mediated tissue damage is synergistic with toxin exposure (tobacco, cocaine, other drugs), nutritional impairment, and infections (hepatitis B and C) • Genetic vulnerability, including gender (female) • Abstinence reverses or improves damage to most tissues/organs

5. The Brain

6. HEALTHY BRAIN • Healthy • Happy • Effective • Consistent • Reliable • Successful ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSED BRAIN • Unhealthy • Sad • Troubled • Inconsistent • Unreliable • Unsuccessful

7. Underage Drinking Comparative study of 14 youth with alcohol-use disorders and 17 healthy youth revealed smaller hippocampal memory areas than do non-drinkers. Teens with alcohol-use disorders have greater activity in areas of the brain linked to: Reward Desire Positive Effect Episodic recall in response to alcohol advertisements

8. BRAIN DAMAGE Comparative look at a normal brain and that of an alcoholic

9. Medical Aspects and Health Problems Associated with Alcohol Use: • Pancreatitis • Gastritis • Duodenal Ulcer • Cancer of the Esophagus • Alcoholic Hepatitis • Cirrhosis of the Liver • Varicose Veins of the Esophagus • Delirium Tremors • Neuritis • Impotency

10. PANCREATITIS The pancreas is a small organ located in the abdomen. It produces insulin (controls glucose levels) and the digestive enzymes vital to life. Inflammation of the pancreas causes severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

11. GASTRITIS Heavy drinking is the most common cause of inflammation of the stomach. The lining becomes reddened, with bleeding in areas, covered with thick, ropy mucus. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, and stomach pains.

12. DUODENAL ULCER The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine to receive food from the stomach. Ulcers can cause bleeding, obstruction, and perforation, which may be fatal.

13. ESOPHOGEAL CANCER Alcohol causes drinkers to have far greater rates of cancer of the esophagus than non-drinkers. Cancer causes difficulty in swallowing and a sensation of blockage behind the sternum. Surgery is the only treatment, and the mortality rate is high.

14. ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS This condition is characterized by fever, jaundice, swelling in the abdomen, and swelling of the feet. The liver is generally large, firm, tender, and infiltrated with fat. Many patients die from this illness; some recover, and others go on to develop cirrhosis of the liver.

15. CIRRHOSIS Cirrhosis is the 7th leading cause of death in America, and alcohol is the leading cause of cirrhosis. The cut surface of the liver may enlarge or shrink, depending on the stage of the disease. The outside is frequently rough and wrinkled like a prune. Symptoms include loss of weight, chronic nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of sex drive, abdominal pains, bloating of the abdomen, and bleeding.

16. VARICOSE VEINS OF THE ESOPHAGUS Cirrhosis of the liver produces an increase in blood pressure in the veins of the esophagus. This pressure causes the veins to become stretched and dilated, or varicose. Death from internal hemorrhaging may occur if ballooned-out veins rupture.

17. DELERIUM TREMENS Withdrawal from alcohol can cause physical & emotional suffering worse than withdrawal from heroin. The DT’s begin with tremors, sweating, and nausea, and progress to insomnia, profound confusion, delusions, hallucinations, and convulsions. This serious complication may be fatal for about 10% of its victims.

18. NEURITIS Prolonged intake of alcohol has a direct, poisonous effect on the nerves in the arms and legs. Symptoms include: tingling, sensation of pins and needles, itching, numbness, weakness, and paralysis. Treatment involves complete abstinence from alcohol, improved nutrition, and vitamin supplements.

19. IMPOTENCY Impotency refers to the inability of a man to sustain an erection satisfactory for normal sexual intercourse. Alcohol is one of the most common causes. With acute Intoxication, it may be caused by the depressant effect of the drug. With chronic use, it may be caused by neuritis, liver damage, malnutrition, or other complications.

20. Alcohol Abuse often leads to other problems to include: • Drug use and abuse • Crimes and violent behavior • Suicidal and Homicidal behavior • Child neglect and abuse • Birth Defect (Physical & Mental)

21. SUICIDE Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in America and the third leading cause of death in people below the age of 30. Alcohol is a factor in more than 60% of all suicide attempts.

22. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome >10% of children exposed in utero 7-14 drinks/wk (particularly > 5 per occasion) can cause moderate damage Results: growth deficiency, mental retardation/intellectual impairment, attentional learning disabilities, & behavioral problems

23. CHILD ABUSE Approximately 1 in every 100 American children is severely physically, sexually, & emotionally abused at least once. Excessive drinking by the abuser is a major factor in a large majority of these cases.

24. MURDER Murder is the twelfth leading cause of death in America, and the leading cause of death in people below the age of 30. Alcohol is implicated in more than 70% of all murders and other violent crimes.

25. Summary • Alcohol Abuse and Drug use is the #1 social problem we face today. • The physical cost is horrendous ($$$Billions) and emotional cost is priceless. • Prevention through education and your ability and determination to make the RIGHT choice is key to a healthier you and community.

26. Comments/Questions Contact your Joint Forces Prevention Coordinator for additional training, information, or treatment referral resources. MSgt Mark Lord Idaho Counterdrug Prevention Coordinator 208-272-4140 - Office 208-514-5143 - Cell