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The Responsible Use of Alcohol

*Alcohol Use Patterns49% of Americans abstain from alcohol use22% are considered light drinkers29% are considered risky drinkers

*Alcohol is responsible for more than 70,000 deaths per year among AmericansThrough automobile crashes and other injuries alcohol is the leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24

*UWG Statistics from 2008

77% of the students consumed alcohol in the past year62% in the past 30 days58% under age 21 in the past 30 days38% reported binge drinking in previous two weeks93% believe the average student uses alcohol once a week or more

So . . . Not everyone is a drunk!Reality is 62% of UWG students are not binge drinking every Thursday night!

38% havent even drunk in the past 30 days!*

*90% view drinking as central to fraternity life85% view drinking as central to sorority life

*Binge DrinkingA common form of alcohol abuse on college campusesDefined as having 5 or more drinks in a row for men, 4 or more for women on at least one occasion in the last two weeks

*Binge DrinkingKills dozens of college students each year in this countryFast, heavy drinking can easily raise BAC levels quickly, leading to unconsciousness and death

*Recent National Report on College Binge Drinking44% of college aged students reported binge drinking44% also reported alcohol abuse as the largest problem on college campuses1,700 alcohol related deaths in 2001

*Recent National Report on College Binge DrinkingCollege aged students reported696,000 assaults599,000 injuries97,000 sexual assaults/date rapes

*So . . . What exactly is a drink?

*Problem???One solo cup of hunch punch is NOT one drink!In reality it could contain enough alcohol to equal 5-6 drinks!

*Nature of Alcoholic BeveragesConsumable form of alcohol ethylFermentation: process where sugars are converted into alcohol by yeastProof: alcohol concentration that is twice the percentage concentration: 100 proof=50% alcoholAlcohol is a depressant!

*Nature of Alcoholic BeveragesBeer = 3-6%Table wine = 9-14%Fortified wine = 20%Hard liquors = 35-50%Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram 1 beer = 150 calories

*Factors that Affect Alcohol Absorption and Blood Alcohol Concentration LevelsStrength of beverageNumber of drinks consumedSpeed of consumptionCarbonation of the beveragePresence of foodBody weightBody fat percentageGender

*Metabolism and ExcretionOnce alcohol reaches the stomach20% is absorbed into the bloodstream75% is absorbed through the upper part of the small intestineThe liver is the main site for alcohol metabolism2-10% of ingested alcohol is not metabolized by the liver or other tissues, it is excreted by the lungs, kidneys, and sweat glands unchanged

*Blood Alcohol ConcentrationPercentage of alcohol in a measured amount of bloodMeasured from exhaled breath or blood sampleDepends upon the balance between the rate of alcohol absorption and the rate of alcohol metabolism

*The Immediate Effects of AlcoholAt .03 - .05%relaxation and jovialAt .10%physical impairmentAt .20%uncontrollable movementAt .35%coma and possible deathLegal limit is .08% for DUI

*UWG Student Perceptions of Effects of Alcohol69% breaks the ice69% enhances social activity63% gives people something to talk about71% gives people something to do60% allows people to have more fun54% facilitates connection with peers48% facilitates male bonding47% facilitates sexual opportunity

*41% facilitates female bonding40% easier to deal with stress28% makes women sexier 17% makes men sexier16% makes food taste better

24% thought a sexual partner was not attractive because he/she was drunk33% reported some form of public misconduct at least once during the past year as a result of drinking

*Alcohol Hangover vs. Alcohol PoisoningHangover is probably due to a combination of toxic products of alcohol breakdown, dehydration, and hormonal effectsSymptomsHeadaches, Fatigue, Impaired mental functioningAlcohol poisoning is consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time, raising BAC to dangerous levels which could result in death due to:CNS depressionRespiratory failurePulmonary edema

*Warning signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Person cannot be roused (unconscious)VomitingSeizuresSlow breathing (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color or palenessSelf defecation

*Other Dangerous Alcohol Use CombinationUsing Alcohol with Other DrugsImpaired judgment from Alcohol leading to:Injuries, Violence, SuicideAlcohol and Sexual Decision-makingUnplanned sexual activity, STDs, Accidental pregnanciesDrinking and DrivingDose-response function

*The Effects of Chronic Use

*Fetal Alcohol SyndromeFetus is exposed to alcohol in a slower manner than an adult via the placentaDamage results in mental retardationlow birth weight, facial abnormalities, widely spaced eyes, and a much smaller head.Full expression rate: 1-2 out of 1000 births

*Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:

*Alcohol Abuse and DependenceAlcohol Abuse recurrent use that has negative consequences that result in personal forms of difficultiesAlcohol Dependence (Alcoholism) is a result of needing alcohol on a regular basis to function, involving physical tolerance and withdrawal symptoms

*Problem Drinking and AlcoholismProblem drinking alcohol pattern where the behavior creates personal difficulties or difficulties for othersCo-dependence relationships that support an alcoholic

*Health Effects of AlcoholismWithdrawal symptoms can be acute (shakes or jitters) to more severe i.e. seizures, delirium tremens (DTs)Alcoholism takes a heavy physical toll upon the bodys organs and tissues as well as causing psychological problemsSocially, it is a serious problem to families and friendsEconomically, it effects employment and healthcare costs

*Causes of AlcoholismThe precise causes are unknown, however the following factors are probably involved:GeneticsPersonalitySocial factorsEnvironmentFamily structure

*Treatment for AlcoholismRehab centersHospitalsMedicationCounselingSupport groups

*Alcoholism: Gender & EthnicityAmong White American mendrinking starts in the teenage years and progresses into late adulthoodWomen tend to become alcoholics much later In their 40s or 50sAfrican-Americans tend to have more health related problems with alcohol useLatino men Have the following common elements: drunk driving and cirrhosis American Indians and Alaskans tend to abuse alcohol early in life

*Alcohol Website ResourcesAl-Anon Family Group Headquarters www.al-anon.alateen.orgAlcoholics Anonymous www.alcoholics-anonymous.orgAlcohol Treatment Referral Hotline800-ALCOHOLThe College Alcohol Studywww.hsph.harvard.edu/casCollege Drinking Preventionwww.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/students

*www.AlcoholScreening.orgwww.bacchusgamma.orgwww.hsph.harvard.edu/cas/www.hadenough.orgwww.health.orgwww.drugabuse.govThe Gordie Foundation with video clip HAZE www.gordie.org

******See Figure 10-4 on Binge DrinkingSee Table 10-2 on drinking behaviors from alcohol useSee the Box: In the NewsSee the Box: College Binge Drinking*******See Box: Dimensions of DiversitySee Box: Metabolizing Alcohol: Our Bodies Work Differently*See Table 10-1 on Blood Alcohol Concentration factors*See Table 10-1 on the effects of Blood Alcohol Concentration of the person consuming alcohol***See Box: Dealing with an Alcohol EmergencySee Box: Take Charge**See Figure 10-1 on alcohol fatalitiesSee Figure 10-2 on BAC levels per individuals*See Figure 10-3 on problems associated with chronic use of alcohol*****See Box: In FocusSee Box: Children of Alcoholics

***See Table 10-3 on Ethnic Groups**