Alcoholism: What is it?

• Do this now:• Any corrections to

your homework must be turned in by tomorrow. Any Late work as well.

• No Homework tonight

• What are we doing today?

• Debunking myths about alcoholism.

• Defining alcoholism.• Warning signs of

alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a disease!

In 1957 the AMA defined Alcoholism as a disease not:

A moral problemA weakness in character orA lack of will power

Alcoholism is a disease, marked by the inability to control one’s

drinking.• Craving • Loss of control • Physical and psychological dependence• Tolerance - the need to drink greater

amounts of alcohol in order to get "high"

How wide spread is it?

1 in every 13 adults abuse alcohol

1 in every 4 students lives in a home where alcohol abuse creates problems for the family.

15% of the people living in the United States are considered “problem drinkers.” Of this 15%, 5%-10% of the males and 3%-5% of the females could be labeled as alcoholics. (NIH)

Think about what an alcoholic looks like.

How many of you have were thinking this?

Myths* Homeless….Drinks cheap alcohol – often from a paper bag.

* Alcoholics only drink beer.* Alcoholics are unable to hold down a job and may even be unemployable.* They are usually estranged from their family.* An alcoholic is someone who drinks every day.* Someone who drinks alcohol as soon as they wake up.* Are unloved by family members and not respected by the community* They have made a mess of their life.* They will probably be wearing cheap clothes and have poor personal hygiene habits.•Alcoholism affects men only.•Alcoholics are old•"I'm having as much fun as I can while I'm in college. As soon as I graduate I'll get my act together.“

Stray factsAlcoholism reduces the life expectancy of

the drinker by 10-12 years

40% of those who start drinking before the age of 15 are much more likely to experience the disease of alcoholism.

Environmentfriendssocial norms/ attitudes

curiosityavailabilitypoor self esteem

depression

Genetics –FAMILY

MEMBERS OF AN ALCOHOLIC ARE much more likely LIKLY TO DEVELOP THE DISEASE THAN PEOPLE WITH NO ALCOHOLIC FAMILY MEMBERS.

What causes

it?

Webmax: Ashley’s story

Risk Factors• Family History of Alcohol Abuse• Having 2 or more adverse events during childhood • Beginning to drink early, by age 15 or sooner • Drinking more than 1 - 2 drinks per day • Smoking cigarettes (particularly teenagers) • Stress • Having a pre-existing psychiatric disorder (such as

or anxiety or depression) • Men have higher rates of alcoholism than women • Broken homes

What do you Know?

What are some red flags that might indicate a person has a drinking problem?

Alcoholism: What do you know?

• There isn’t any homework today.

• Quizzes are in the process of being graded…not done yet.

• What are we doing today?

• Play charades • Watch a YouTube• Work in groups to

grasp main points of alcoholism

Do You or your Friends show any of these red flags?

• Secretive drinking • Alcohol cravings • An inability to control the amount you drink • Blackouts (not remembering events or

conversations) • Irritability when you can' t get a drink at your

regular time • Legal problems • Difficulty sustaining a relationship or a job • Withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking, such as

nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety • An increase in tolerance • Hangovers

What others will see.

• Sleep problems • Depression  and withdrawing from others -

spending more time alone  • Drop in grades/Problems in school - skipping

school/missing classes  • Behavior problems - not getting along with

others, quick to anger  • Changes in appearance  • Continuous partying/getting drunk - feeling that

it's necessary to get drunk in order to have a good time. 

• Denial – feel as though they don't have a problem, this is a major sign of alcoholism.

Where can an alcoholic get help?

• Take out your packet on alcoholism.

• No homework today.

• Quiz on Friday, covering alcoholism and FAS

• What are we doing today?

• Defining helping organizations.

• Identifying where a teen can get help if alcoholism exists in their family.

• Watching a short youtube.

Where can an addict get help?AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) A worldwide support group that helps addicts stop drinking one day at time. Free.In Clinton When:1. St James Church Tues./Thurs. evening 2. Hamilton College Sundays at 11:30. 3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s Sundays at 4:00

Ala-Non : World wide support group for spouses and family members who live with alcoholics.

Alateen- Support group for teens living in homes where alcohol is creating problems

Rehab facilities: Insight HouseCCS has our own counselor too

Click on support group

What is alcoholics anonymous?

• A world wide helping organization that helps alcoholics acknowledge their disease and find ways to stay sober.

• They believe in a 12 step program or rules to guide them on their way to sobriety.

• They remind themselves that they are not going to drink, “one day at a time.”

One in four teens are living in

homes where alcohol is

creating problems for the family.

Click on pic for history of AA youtube

The people most hurt by alcohol or drugs don’t drink or use.

Show web max video clip “ Family Alcoholism”Click on “Show”

Treatment

• Attend Alcoholics Anonymous. • Exercise regularly to help reduce cravings. • Medications• Counseling/ therapy• Family members should attend Al-Anon to

learn how to help the person with the addiction and to get help and support themselves.

Quick Quiz

1. Can anyone go to an AA meeting?

2. What are the first three Cs a child living in a home with an alcoholic parent should remember?

3. Is AA a lifetime commitment?

4. Does AA cost $ to join?

5. Where can a child get help if Alateen doesn’t exist in your area?

6. Why does AA have a mantra, “one day at a time?”

Roles children take

• Withdraw from family

• Peace keeper

• Scapegoat – blamed for everything that goes wrong

• Perfect child – over achiever

• Clown – makes jokes when things are bad

Click on clown for web max video clip “the Family Secret”