Ch.12 AlcoholCreated by Coach Luttrell

Information taken from Bronson, M.H., Cleary, M.J., Hubbard, B.M., Zike, D., Glencoe Teen Health Course 3, 2009

Objectives: • The student will be able to explain why some

teens drink alcohol.• The student will be able to state reasons not to

drink alcohol• The student will be able to identify alternatives

to drinking alcohol.

Vocabulary Words (3): Alcohol, Depressants, Alternatives

Lesson 1: Why is alcohol harmful?

What is Alcohol?• Alcohol is a drug that is

produced by a chemical reaction in fruits, vegetables and grains.

• There are several kinds of alcohol. Some are used for cleaning, to kill germs, as medicine, or for fuel.

• We will be talking about ethanol alcohol. It is produced by a chemical reaction called fermentation.

• Alcohol affects the brain and central nervous system, causing changes in behavior.

• Alcohol is a depressant.• Depressants are drugs that slow

down the body's functions and reactions.

• Even small amounts of alcohol can affect how a person feels and behaves.

• Some people become relaxed and friendly, while others may become depressed, angry and even violent.

• Alcohol affects your judgement leading to poor and even dangerous decisions being made.

• Many people say and do things they regret after they drink.

Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol Use and Teens• Because a teen's mind and body are still

growing and developing drinking alcohol can be dangerous to their health.

• Research has shown the following in teens who drink:

• Interference with long term and short term growth

• Damage to the brain in areas of learning and memory

• More likely to fall behind in school• Increase of social problems, depression,

suicidal thoughts and violence.• It is illegal for anyone under 21 to use,

purchase or be in possession of alcohol!!!• If you are caught you could be arrested,

fined or sent to a youth detention center.• Alcohol is the cause of hundreds of traffic

accidents each year. 1/3 of all teen traffic deaths are alcohol related.

Alcohol and Energy Drinks

http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/alcohol/combining-energy-drinks-with-alcohol-more-dangerous-than-drinking-alcohol-alone

Why Some Teens Drink AlcoholWhat Teens Might Say:• drinking will help

me forget my problems

• i'll look more grown up

• movies and songs make drinking seem cool

• my friends keep pressuring me to try alcohol

• a drink will help me relax

• i'm bored...

What Teens Should Know:• their problems will still be

there when they sober up• you won't look very

mature behind bars• media doesn't always

show the negative consequences

• real friends won't pressure you

• alcohol interferes with sleep and performance in school and other activities creating more stress

Reasons Not To Drink• Choosing not to use alcohol is a

smart and healthy choice. It shows you understand the risks and value your health over "looking cool" or "fitting in".

• If you drink you are risking your health

• Using alcohol is against the law for teens

• You want to make decisions that help you become a strong person

• Teens who stay alcohol free are better able to handle the challenges of everyday life.

Under-Age Drinking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGQ8F05C5gk

Alternatives To Drinking Alcohol• Teens who want to avoid alcohol

should try to seek positive alternatives. this gives you something else to focus on and even a support system to count on.

• Alternatives are other ways of thinking or acting

• Some examples of positive alternatives include: sports, learning new skills, discovering a new talent, challenging your body, volunteering in your community and being part of a team, group or organization.

• Becoming an advocate gives you a chance to make a difference.

• There are many advocacy groups that help teens make good choices like Students Against Destructive Decisions (s.a.d.d)

Ch.12 Lesson 1 Questions1.) Define alcohol and use it in a sentence.2.) What are three reasons not to drink alcohol?3.) What are two reasons teens give for using alcohol?4.) How can positive alternatives help a teen avoid using alcohol?5.) You are at an amusement park with several friends. When it is time to leave, a friend's brother offers to give you a ride. You believe you smell alcohol on his breath. What should you do and why?

Lesson 2: Short-Term Effects of Alcohol use

Objectives: • The student will be able to describe how alcohol

travels through the body.• The student will be able to explain the short-

term effects alcohol has on a person.• The student will be able to identify factors that

account for different reactions to alcohol among different people.

Vocabulary Words (5): reaction time, intoxication, blood alcohol content (BAC), alcohol poisoning, malnutrition

Alcohol and The Body• Alcohol is a very fast-acting

drug. • It is absorbed into the

bloodstream and can reach the brain within 30 seconds of after being swallowed.

• Alcohol absorption can be slowed if the person has eaten a big meal.

• Once alcohol has reached the brain is slows reaction time.

• Reaction time is the ability of the body to respond quickly and appropriately to situations.

• This is one reason drinking and driving is so dangerous.

Alcohol's Journey Through The Body1.Mouth: alcohol enters the body. 2.Stomach: some alcohol gets into the bloodstream in the stomach, but most goes on to the small intestine. 3.Small Intestine: alcohol enters the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. 4.Heart: pumps alcohol throughout the body.5.Brain: alcohol reaches the brain. 6.Liver: alcohol is oxidized by the liver at a rate of about 0.5 oz per hour.7.Alcohol is converted into water, carbon dioxide and energy.

Intoxication• The liver's job is to break down

alcohol once it enters the bloodstream.

• The liver breaks down approximately 95% of all alcohol consumed.

• The remaining 5% passes out of the body in the form of sweat, urine and breath.

• If a person drinks too much alcohol, the body can't process it fast enough and they become intoxicated.

• Intoxication a person's mental and physical abilities have been impaired by alcohol.

• If a person continues to drink, their blood alcohol content will continue to rise.

• Blood alcohol content (BAC) a measures the amount of alcohol present in a person's blood.

• People who are heavily intoxicated are at risk of alcohol poisoning

• Alcohol Poisoning a dangerous condition that results when a person drinks excessive amounts of alcohol over a short time period.

• As with any drug overdose, alcohol poisoning can kill you.

How Alcohol Affects The Individual

• Gender and Body Size: Females and smaller people are affected more quickly

• Other Drugs: Alcohol mixed with other drugs can make the drug's effects stronger. It can also cause death.

• Food: if the stomach is full it slows alcohol absorption.

• General Health: if a person is sick or tired they can be affected more quickly.

• Speed: The faster a person drinks the more they will be affected.

• Amount: the more a person drinks the more they will be affected.

One of the greatest dangers of alcohol is that there is no way to tell how a person will act when alcohol is in their body. Several things can determine the effect alcohol may have:

Alcohol Content of Different DrinksAlcoholic drinks are only partly alcohol. The rest

is water, flavoring and minerals. Each of the drinks below contains the same amount of pure alcohol (0.6 oz).

Alcohol Use and Violence• Those who drink are more likely to fight or

behave violently.• This is because alcohol can make people

aggressive.• 2/3 of all domestic violence and abuse at

home is related to alcohol abuse.• Violence also increases at sporting events

when alcohol is served.

Alcohol and Nutrition• Alcohol affects the body's ability to use nutrients and

can have long-term affects like malnutrition.• Malnutrition a condition in which the body doesn't get

the nutrients it needs to grow and function properly.• Because alcohol is made by sugars breaking down, it

has calories. these calories have almost no nutritional value.

• Drinking over a long period of time and not eating healthy can lead to a body not only lacking important nutrients, but also gaining unwanted and unhealthy weight.

• When you combine alcohol with fruit juices and sodas it creates even more empty calories.

• Carbonated sodas and artificial sweeteners can cause alcohol to be absorbed into the blood stream more quickly.

Ch. 12 Lesson 2 Questions1.) what is blood alcohol content?2.) How long does it take alcohol to reach the brain of a person who has not eaten recently?3.) What are three factors that can influence the effect alcohol has on a person?4.) Go back and look at the journey alcohol takes through the body. Explain why people who have been drinking might smell like alcohol?5.) Allie is at a party at a friend's house. She has had trouble sleeping lately because of worries over a big exam. Someone at the party suggests everyone have a beer. What are at least two good reasons Allie should say no?

Lesson 3: Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Use

Objectives:• The student will be able to identify body organs

and systems negatively affected by long-term alcohol use.

• The student will be able to describe the long-term effects of alcohol use.

• The student will be able to explain the risks to a fetus if its mother drinks alcohol.

Vocabulary words (5): fatty liver, cirrhosis, binge drinking, inhibition, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Long-Term Physical Effects of Alcohol Use

• Alcohol affects all areas of a person's life:• Physically-

• Drinking can lead to serious health problems and can damage body organs like the stomach, liver, pancreas and heart.

• Any previous conditions can also be worsened.• Mentally/Emotionally-

• Since alcohol is a depressant it can affect a person's emotional health.

• Drinking can lead to problems which can cause stress • A person can also have mood changes when they drink• If someone is already depressed alcohol can make them

more depressed, which can lead to suicide• Socially-

• Some family and friends might think differently of you if you drink

• Doing and saying hurtful things while intoxicated can effect relationships

• Getting caught with alcohol can affect your role on sports teams or other groups and organizations

• Alcohol can also become addictive which affects a person physically and emotionally

Physical Effects on the Body• Mouth:

• Alcohol is absorbed by tissue lining the mouth and stomach and goes directly into the blood.

• Long term use can harm these tissues and can lead to mouth and throat cancer.

• Stomach: • Alcohol irritates the stomach lining

and increases acid which causes irritations, swelling and ulcers.

• Also weakens the valve that separates stomach and esophagus. This can cause acid to travel up the esophagus and lead to heartburn.

• Liver:• The most serious effects of alcohol is damage to the liver• Alcohol being frequently in the blood causes liver cells to die

which can lead to fatty liver where the liver cannot work normally or repair itself.

• Fatty liver a condition in which fats build up in the liver and cannot be broken down

• Cirrhosis a disease characterized by scarring and eventually destruction of the liver.

• Reduces blood flow to the liver• Damaged liver cannot filter poisons and toxins from the

blood. The poisons can eventually reach and damage the brain.

Normal Liver vs Fatty Liver Cirrhosis of the Liver

• Brain:• Disrupts the parts of the brain that are

responsible for memory and problem solving

• Destroys brain cells. this is dangerous because brain cells cannot grow back, once they are damaged they are gone forever.

• If enough brain cells are destroyed it can cause brain damage.

• Alcohol can block messages that are sent to the brain, which causes problems with movement, vision and hearing

• Heart:• Heavy drinking damages the heart

muscle which makes it weak and enlarged causing high blood pressure.

• Increases the risk of congestive heart failure and stroke.

Driving While Intoxicated• Legally intoxicated or drunk = 0.08

BAC• If you drive and get pulled over =

DWI• A long-term effect of driving drunk

is the death or serious injury of yourself or someone else.

• Statistics for alcohol related crashes:• Every 31 seconds someone is

killed • In 2010, over 10,200 people

were killed (31% of all traffic deaths in that year)

• The driver is not the only one in danger (passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, etc)

• DWI drivers are more likely to die in a fatal crash than sober drivers• 0.09 BAC = 8.6x• 0.125 BAC = 20x• 0.15+ BAC = 195.7x

Jacqueline Saburido age 20, was hit by a drunk driver in Austin, Texas.

She was pinned inside the vehicle as it caught on fire, leaving her with severe burns over 60 percent of her body.

Her life was changed forever.

Binge Drinking• Teens who experiment with alcohol also

risk becoming binge drinkers• Binge drinking the consumption of a large

quantity of alcohol in a very short period of time.

• Drinking so much within about 2 hours that blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels reach 0.08g/dL.• For women, this usually occurs after

about 4 drinks, and for men, after about 5. (from the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism)

• Binge drinking is harmful because of long-term consequences when people combine alcohol with dangerous activities• Death due to falls, drowning, or drunk

driving• Pregnancy or contraction of STDs• Being a victim of violent behavior• Death from alcohol poisoning

Alcohol Use and Teen Pregnancy• Unplanned pregnancies are

sometimes long-term consequences of alcohol use.

• Using alcohol can lower a person's inhibitions

• Inhibition a conscious or unconscious restraint of a person's own behaviors or actions.• When at a normal level,

inhibitions help you make smart choices to stay safe, healthy and out of harm.

• One study showed that 1/3 of teen pregnancies occurred when females were drinking alcohol.

• Becoming pregnant as a teen can be very difficult academically, financially, physically and emotionally.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome• When a female is pregnant,

everything she eats and drinks affects her unborn baby.

• If a female drinks alcohol while pregnant it can have very harmful effects on the baby because the baby's liver is not developed enough to process the alcohol like an adult can.

• Fetal alcohol syndrome (fas) is a group of alcohol-related birth defects that include both physical and mental problems.

• Harmful affects include:• Smaller body sizes• Lower birth weight• Heart and kidney problems• Learning disabilities and mental

retardation

Ch. 12 Lesson 3 Questions1.) What is cirrhosis? What are the long-term risks associated with this health problem?2.) Explain how three body organs or systems are negatively affected by long-term alcohol use.3.) What are the risks to the fetus of a pregnant female who drinks alcohol?4.) What are some ways in which experimenting with alcohol can interfere with a teen's future?5.) At a party, Cindy sees a pregnant female reach for a beer. What could Cindy say to help the woman understand the health risks of drinking during pregnancy?

Lesson 4: Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse

Objectives:• The student will be able to identify symptoms of

alcoholism and alcohol abuse.• The student will be able to describe the stages

of alcoholism.• The student will be able to explain how

alcoholism affects families and society.

Vocabulary Words (6): addiction, alcoholism, tolerance, physical dependence, enablers, alcohol abuse.

Alcohol's Addictive Power• Like other drugs using

alcohol repeatedly can lead to addiction.

• Addiction a physical or psychological need for a drug.

• Teens 15 and younger are five times more likely to become addicted than older individuals.

• Addiction can change a person's life because it takes the focus off of healthy goals and damages relationships with people you care about.

The Disease of Alcoholism• People who are addicted to alcohol

suffer from alcoholism.• Alcoholism is a progressive,

chronic disease involving a mental and physical need for alcohol.

• People with alcoholism are called "alcoholics"

• It will affect all sides of a person's life

• Current estimations show 14 million Americans are alcoholics or have an alcohol abuse problem.

• Millions more take part in risky drinking that could lead to mental, emotional and health problems.

People with alcoholism typically have five major symptoms:

1) Denial: the person has a hard time believing they have it2) Craving: the person has a strong need or compulsion to drink3) Loss of control: the person is unable to limit his or her drinking on any given occasion.4) Tolerance: is a process in which your body needs more and more of a drug to get the same effect.5) Physical Dependence: is a type of addiction in which the body itself feels a direct need for a drug.

If a person stops drinking he or she may experience symptoms, such as sweating, shakiness and anxiety.

Common Symptoms of Alcoholism• Drinking alone• Making excuses to drink• Need for daily or frequent use of alcohol in order to

function• Lack of control over drinking, with inability to stop or

reduce the amount being consumed• Episodes of violence associated with drinking• Secretive behavior to hide alcohol related behavior• Hostility when confronted about drinking• Neglecting to eat regularly• Neglect of physical appearance• Nausea and vomiting• Shaking in the morning• Abdominal pain• Numbness and tingling• Confusion

Stages of AlcoholismStage One• People are surprised at how much they can

drink• Drink to relax or to deal with stress and mental

fatigue• Looking for opportunities to drink• A gradual increase in tolerance

Stage Two• Short-term memory loss and blackouts• Saying or doing hurtful things• Sneaking extra drinks and feeling guilty• Making excuses for drinking

Stages of Alcoholism Cont.Stage Three• Loss of control over the amount they drink• Aggressive or resentful behavior• Making and failing to keep promises• Losing interest in anything but alcohol• Avoiding family and friends• Trouble with money, work and the law• Tremors and the start of severe physical problems

Stage Four• Becomes chronic or ongoing• Long periods of being intoxicated all the time• Strange or unreasonable fears• Faulty thinking or hallucinations• Malnutrition caused by not eating properly

Costs to the Family• Alcoholism affects more than just the alcoholic.• Denial is the biggest symptom of this disease and it can be a problem

for the alcoholic's family and friends too.• Often the don't want to believe that the alcoholic really has a

problem.• That they can just cut down on the number of drinks or just stop

drinking.• Family members often neglect their own needs to focus on helping the

alcoholic• This can have a very negative effect on self-esteem, especially if

the alcoholic is abusive in anyway.• Sometimes when people try to help the alcoholic it causes more

problems.• Enablers are persons who create an atmosphere in which the alcoholic

can comfortably continue his or her unacceptable behavior.• This includes making excuses for or lying on behalf of the

alcoholic.• This does not help the alcoholic it actually prevents them from

getting the help and treatment they need for their disease.

Need Help?

Costs to Society• Underage drinking costs more than $50 Billion a

year• Total cost for alcohol related problems is approx.

$175.9 Billion a year.• That's more than the cost of tobacco or other

drug related problems.• Alcohol costs businesses billions a year in lost

productivity

One billion dollars = 12 palettes or 10 Million $100 bills.

Alcohol Abuse• There is a difference between alcoholism

and alcohol abuse.• People who abuse alcohol are not physically

dependent on the drug, alcoholics are.• Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that

results in one or more well-defined behaviors within a 12 month period.

• The four symptoms are:1. Failure to fulfill major work, school or

home responsibilities2. Drinking in situations that are

physically dangerous. (driving while intoxicated or riding with someone who is)

3. Having ongoing alcohol related legal problems. (DWI, physical or sexual assault/abuse while intoxicated, etc.)

4. Continuing to drink even when relationships have been negatively affected by the person's use of alcohol

Ch.12 Lesson 4 Questions1.) Define Alcoholism.2.) What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism?3.) Briefly describe the four stages of alcoholism.4.) Over the past year, Andrew has secretly been drinking alcohol. He has missed a lot of school and has been in trouble with the law. Would you say Andrew is an alcoholic? Explain your answer.5.) You are at a friend's house. You overhear your friend's father say, "I do not have a drinking problem!" Your friend looks uncomfortable, then says "He really doesn't have a problem, you know." What kind of behavior is your friend demonstrating?

Lesson 5: Getting Help for Alcohol Abuse

Objectives:• The student will be able to explain what a

person experiences during withdrawal from alcohol.

• The student will be able to describe the steps in the process of recovery.

• The student will be able to identify community resources that can help alcoholics, alcohol abusers and their families.

Vocabulary Words (5): intervention, relapse, recovery, withdrawal, detoxification

Help For People With Alcohol Problems• People who are struggling with

alcohol use need help, even though many of them might be in denial that they have a problem at all.

• To overcome this family and friends can hold an intervention.

• Intervention a gathering in which family and friends get the problem drinker to agree to seek help.

• The drinker is confronted with the facts of their problem and strongly urged to stop drinking and get help.

Starting Down the Road to Recovery• Treatment for the alcoholism has to begin

with the alcoholic admitting they have a problem, they need help and they must never drink again.

• If an alcoholic takes even one drink there is a chance for a relapse.

• Relapse is a return to the use of a drug after attempting to stop.

• Recovery is the process of learning to live an alcohol-free life.

• It is usually long and difficult.• The alcoholic must cope with symptoms of

withdrawal that occur when they stop drinking.

• Withdrawal is the physical and psychological reactions that occur when someone stops using an addictive substance.

• These can be mild to severe and include headaches, tiredness, strong moods swings and nausea

Steps Along the RoadThere are no shortcuts, someone who wants to get better must take all the steps listed below:

1) Admission: at the start of recovery the person must admit that he or she has an addiction and ask for help.

2)Counseling: alcoholics need outside help from counselors and support groups.

*Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a group made up of recovering alcoholics and many people find it very helpful.

3)Detoxification: the physical process of freeing the body of an addictive substance.

4)Resolution: once recovery has begun, the alcoholic resolves or makes the decision to accept responsibility for their actions. The person is now referred to as a "recovering alcoholic", which is someone who has an addiction to alcohol but chooses to live without alcohol.

Help for the Family• Families of alcoholics need to

recover as well.• Especially true when members of

the family were enablers• Several organizations are there to

offer help:• Al-Anon: teaches family and

friends about alcoholism and helps them understand how they have been affected. it also teaches them skills for coping with the many problems alcoholism creates.

• Alateen: is specially designed to help teens deal with alcoholic parents.

• Both groups do community outreach work as well, by educating the public and direct families to counselors, support groups and mental health facilities.

Ways to Stay Alcohol Free• The best way to avoid the risks to your

physical, mental/emotional and social health is to choose to be alcohol free.

• Avoid situations where you know alcohol will be present

• Choose friends who are alcohol free• If you are in a situation in which you feel

pressured to try alcohol use the S.T.O.P. method:• Say no• Tell why• Offer a safer alternative• Promptly leave

• Remember you can always talk to a trusted adult to get help in these pressure situations continue after you've tried the S.T.O.P. method

Ch.12 Lesson 5 Questions1.) Define withdrawal.2.) What are the steps in the recovery process.3.) What community organizations are available to help alcoholics and their families?4.) What is one fact about alcohol addiction you think a problem drinker needs to know most?5.) Imagine that a friend admits to having a drinking problem. the way he plans to handle the problem is to gradually cut down on his drinking. Is this a wise plan? Why or why not?