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ALCOHOL ABUSE. Alcohol Abuse. Approx 14 million Americans are alcoholics Approx 100,000 death/yr associated with alcohol abuse 18.8% have lived with an alcoholic some time during their childhood 9.2% have been married or cohabitated with an alcoholic
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Alcohol Abuse • Approx 14 million Americans are alcoholics • Approx 100,000 death/yr associated with alcohol abuse • 18.8% have lived with an alcoholic some time during their childhood • 9.2% have been married or cohabitated with an alcoholic • 37.9% have a blood relative who is an alcoholic • Approximately 1/3 of high school students report binge drinking once a month • 1,400 college students a year die from accidents, violence or poisoning related to alcohol
Alcohol Abuse • Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, not a stimulant • Feel release of personal inhibitions • Broken down by the liver at a rate of 2/3 to 3/4 of an ounce per hour • If you drink more then this the alcohol level in your blood will rise
Factors that influence absorption • Strength of the drink • Number of drinks consumed • Speed of consumption • Presence of food in your stomach • Body chemistry • Amount of time it takes for the stomach to empty depends on stress, anger, fear, nausea
Factors that influence absorption • Gender • Women produce less of enzyme needed to breakdown alcohol • Women have greater fat content and alcohol is not fat soluble so it enters the blood stream faster • Women have less water so alcohol does not become diluted • Women absorb more alcohol during the premenstrual phase
Blood Alcohol Levels • Legal blood alcohol is less the 0.08 if you are over 21 • 0.04 for 18-21 • 0.01 below 18
Blood Alcohol Levels • 0.02 – no effect • 0.03-0.05 – relaxed, slightly lightheaded, decreased inhibitions • Level reached by 160 pound man taking 2 drinks per hour • 0.1 – loss of motor coordination and impaired judgment • 0.15 – significant impairment of motor coordination and reaction time, slurred speech
Blood Alcohol Levels • 0.2 – severely intoxicated, loud obnoxious drunk • 0.3 – limited control of functions, may be unconscious • 0.4 – comatose • 0.6-0.7 –suffocation and death, usually pass out before this point
Sobering Up • Acute alcohol poisoning • Drank too much, too fast • Call 911 if • Unable to awaken person • Shallow breathing • Fast heart rate • Cool skin • Bluish color to skin
Sobering Up • Regurgitation and aspiration • Lay person on their side and do not leave them alone
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Hangover • Mild withdrawal from alcohol • Nerve cells become dehydrated by alcohol • No cure except time • “hair of the dog that bit you” means drinking again to avoid withdrawal symptoms
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix • Increased number of miscarriages • Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) • Mental retardation • Slow growth • Facial abnormalities • Small heads • Widely spaced eyes • Flattened noses • 10 or more drinks/day 74% will have FAS
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Cardiovascular system • High blood pressure • Scar tissue formation on the heart • Fatty deposit increase the size of the heart • Death from heart failure
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Liver metabolizes the alcohol • Liver is the most vulnerable organ to alcohol • Heavy drinking damages the liver causing cirrhosis and eventual death
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Gastrointestinal system • GI bleeding • Esophageal varacies • Malnutrition • Esophageal cancer
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Endocrine disorders • Decreased testosterone production • Second leading cause of impotence • May lead to early menopause in women • Alters the menstrual cycle
Alcohol Related Health Problems • Central nervous system • Brain cell loss • Impaired nerve function • Depression • Alcoholics 30 times more likely to commit suicide then the general population
Tolerance to Alcohol • Develop a physical and psychological addiction to alcohol • Develop a tolerance to alcohol • Takes more alcohol to get the relaxed feeling • As damage to liver increases unable to breakdown alcohol and it takes less alcohol to get drunk
Effect on Society • Motor vehicle crashes • Every two minutes an alcohol related car crash injury happens • 28% if all 18-29 yr olds say they have driven while drunk • Do not drink and drive • If caught you will lose you license for one year
Effect on Society • Drownings • Alcohol is involved in 34% • Fires and burns • Half of burn victims above legal BAL • Crime and violence • Homicides have alcohol involved 67% of the time • 50% of rapists are intoxicated and 30% of victims • Suicide • Half of all suicides are committed by alcoholics • Alcohol is related to impulsive suicides vs premeditated ones
Hosting a Party Responsibly • You are responsible for the health and safety of you guests and may be held liable if they drink and drive • Don’t push drinks • Don’t serve doubles • Don’t keep the glasses full • Have non-alcoholic beverages • Serve non-salty snacks
Hosting a Party Responsibly • Don’t make drinking the main activity at the party • Do not let someone drive if they are intoxicated, take their keys or call 911
Keeping Yourself Sober • Drink slowly • Space your drinks • Know your limits • Designated driver • Don’t drink before the party • Don’t drink if you are mad or depressed • Avoid drinking games • Consume only a pre-planned number of drinks and stop drinking at a pre-planned hour
Stages of Alcohol Dependence • Early • Escape drinking • Binge drinking • Guilt feelings • Sneaking drinks • Difficulty stopping after beginning to drink • Increased tolerance • Preoccupation with drinking • Occasional blackouts
Stages of Alcohol Dependence • Middle • Loss of control • Self hate • Impaired social relationships • Changes in drinking patterns (more frequent binge drinking) • Dietary neglect • Increased blackouts
Stages of Alcohol Dependence • Late • Prolonged binges • Alcohol used to control withdrawal symptoms • Alcohol psychosis • Nutritional disease • Frequent blackouts
Causes of Alcoholism • Genetics • Strong family link • 50% of fathers, sons, brothers of alcoholics are likely to become alcoholics • Children of alcoholics are more then 3-4 times more likely to become alcoholics • Personality types • Low self esteem • Chronic anxiety • Antisocial personalities
Treatment • Biggest barrier to treatment and recovery is denial • Families delay treatment by enabling the alcoholic • Families deny the problem, delay treatment • Cover up for the alcoholic • Codependence with a significant other • Dual addiction • Alcoholic is addicted to alcohol and the family member is addicted to them • Delays treatment
Treatment • Detoxification is first • Go through physical withdrawal from alcohol • Inpatient medical treatment • Avoid DTs and seizures • Psychological addiction is next • Changing long term behavior • Problem solving skills • Stress management • 2/3 can recover with good emotional support
Treatment • Alcohol Anonymous (AA) • Based on the belief that people have to admit they have lost control over alcohol and they are powerless to control their drinking • One of the most successful programs • Alcoholics can not be social drinkers