Presentation Transcript

1. What is Alcohol? Alcohol is considered a poison - the main ingredient is ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is a depressant drug meaning that it slows down body function – it changes the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. 3 main types of alcoholic beverages: Wine or Wine Cooler Liquor Beer
2. Serving sizes – what is considered “A Drink” Ex: vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, schnapps Ex: 1 bottle of Mike’s hard lemonade, Smirnoff Ice, etc
3. What is Proof and Percent in Alcohol? The amount of alcohol in a beverage is determined by looking at the Proof of the beverage and dividing it in half for the % of alcohol. Proof= a measure of alcohol content that is 2x the percentage of alcohol Beer 3-5% alcohol = 6-10 proof Wine 4-6% alcohol =8-12 proof Malt Liquor 5-12% alcohol = 10-24 proof Liquor 35-50% alcohol =70-100 proof
4. Alcohol’s pathway through the body Mouth: alcohol enters the body here. Stomach: some alcohol gets absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining in the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine. Small Intestine: alcohol rapidly enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body. Brain: alcohol reaches the brain almost immediately. It continues to go through the body until the liver has had a chance to oxide all of the alcohol. Liver: alcohol is oxidized (burned up/broken down) by the liver at a rate of about ½ oz. per hour (1 serving size per hour). Oxidation; when alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy. It leaves the body through breathing (CO2) , urine and sweat (water).
5. Does alcohol affect everyone in the same way? NO! The effects of alcohol depends upon a persons: Gender Weight Body chemistry Age Amount of food in their stomach Amount of alcohol they drank How fast they drink Experience with alcohol – what their tolerance to alcohol is (tolerance: when your body gets used to a drug and you need more and more of the drug to get the effect you want)
6. Short-term Effects of Alcohol Alcohol produces - In medium doses - (3-6 drinks in an hour) slurred speech drowsiness Loss of emotional control – uncontrollable crying/anger Poor balance – has trouble standing, walking etc. Blackouts – can’t remember what happens when drinking In LOW doses - (1-3 drinks in an hour) a relaxing effect reduces tension lowers inhibitions – people say and do things they would not normally do. impairs concentration slows reflexes impairs reaction time reduces coordination impaired ability to think, see, hear, talk & walk In high doses - (8+ drinks in an hour) vomiting/nausea breathing difficulties unconsciousness coma death
7. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) The amount of alcohol in a person’s blood
8. “Binge Drinking” Drinkers that drink too much, too quickly is called “Binge Drinking.” For women “Binge drinking” is considered 4 or more drinks in 1 hour For men “Binge drinking” is considered 5 or more drinks on 1 hour People who binge drink often experience blackouts, pass out, vomit, need their stomach pumped and may even die. Alcoholic “Energy” Drinks Drinking ONE can = 4.7 standard drinks!
9. Long-term Effects of Alcohol Alcoholism – being addicted to alcohol. Kids who start drinking before 14 are 4 times as likely to become an alcoholic. You are more likely to become an alcoholic if a family member is one too. Brain damage – kids who start drinking in middle – high school will cause permanent brain damage to themselves
10. Cirrhosis - liver damage caused by excessive drinking healthy unhealthy
11. Alcohol Terms Tolerance: As a person continues to drink they need to use more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Problem Drinker: a person who causes problems for himself, herself or others when they are drinking. Alcoholism: a disease in which a person is physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol. They NEED the alcohol even though it may hurt themselves, their relationships, their job, etc. Withdrawal: When someone who is dependent on a drug stops taking it. Symptomscan include nervousness, depression, irritability, jumpiness or shakiness, mood swings, nightmares, headache, insomnia (sleeping difficulty), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, tremors of the hands or other body parts
12. Doesn’t “everyone” drink? NO!!!!! Why Teens Don’t Drink – todays kids say … 66% - because they don’t want to. 62% - it’s unsafe/unhealthy 57% - it’s illegal 54% - parents ask/tell me not to 49% - it’s not cool 24% - I’m afraid of getting caught and getting in trouble 22% - it would hurt my athletic performance
13. How Can I Tell If My Friend Has A Problem With Alcohol Sometimes it’s tough to tell. But here are signs to look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol and needs your help: Getting drunk on a regular basis Lying about how much alcohol he or she is using Believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun Having frequent hangovers Feeling run-down, depressed, or even suicidal Having “blackouts”—forgetting what he or she did while drinking Having problems at school or getting in trouble with the law Exhibiting mood changes, flare-ups, irritability, and defensiveness Having a "nothing matters" attitude Rebelling against family rules Switching friends Having a sloppy appearance Dropping out of sports/activities
14. What can you do to help someone who has a drinking problem? Be a real friend. You might even save a life. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help. For information and referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686 or the following agencies
15. Where can I go to get help? Alcoholics Anonymous: self help treatment for Alcoholics AL-Anon: support group for family and friends of alcoholics Alateen: support group for young people affected by the behavior of an alcoholic (usually a child of an alcoholic) Adoctor or a specialist dealing with alcohol and/or other drug abuse 5. Anysupportive and caring adult, teacher, coach, counselor, neighbor, or relative
16. D.W.I Driving While Intoxicated DWI is… Dangerous! Irresponsible!! Illegal!!!
17. (even 1 drink) (under 21) (your license for at least 6 months or until you are 21 – whichever is longer)