Transcript Effects of - Todd Corabi`s website

Alcohol
Compiled by Todd Corabi
Some slides were taken from
Glencoe Health’s pre-made
Alcohol presentation…teen health
curriculum
What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is a drug created by a chemical
reaction in some foods, especially fruits
and grains.
Found in beer, wine, whiskey, and other
beverages, alcohol affects a person
physically and mentally.
Using alcohol may result in chemical
dependency on this substance and cause
several health problems.
How Alcohol Affects the Body
A person can feel the effects of alcohol just
a few minutes after taking the first drink.
People who drink large quantities of
alcohol also risk serious long-term effects
such as permanent damage to organs and
even death.
Understanding the Risks
People who drink alcohol or take other
drugs expose themselves to serious and
deadly physical, mental/emotional, and
social harm.
Being aware of the consequences of
alcohol and drug use can help you:
 Stay away from risk situations.
 Make the right decision if you find yourself in a
risk situation.
 Feel confident about choosing not to use
alcohol or drugs.
Some short term physical effects
Brain
Impaired judgment, reasoning, memory, concentration; slowed
reaction time, decreased coordination; slurred speech; distorted
vision and hearing; reduced inhibitions; alcohol poisoning,
causing unconsciousness and even death.
Heart
Blood Vessels
Liver
Stomach
Increased heart rate.
Processes of the
liver, which filters
out over 90% of
the alcohol in the
body, may become
unbalanced.
Enlarged blood vessels,
creating false sense of
warmth.
Vomiting, which can lead
to choking and death.
Kidneys
Increased urination,
which can result in
dehydration, headache,
and dizziness.
Physical Risks
Reduced
strength
Low energy levels
Slowed reflexes
Loss of physical
coordination
Difficulty
walking, running,
dancing, and
playing sports
Muscle twitches
and cramps
Decreased
endurance
Differing Effects
The more alcohol a person drinks, the more
he or she will be affected.
Other factors that determine how a person
will be affected by alcohol include the
following:




Size and gender
Food in the stomach
How fast a person drinks
Other substances, such as illegal drugs, in the
body
Drinking and Driving
Even one alcoholic beverage begins to
impair coordination and can make driving
unsafe.
The more alcohol a person drinks, the more
dangerous he or she is behind the wheel.
Slower reaction times and impaired
judgment make drunk drivers dangerous to
other drivers and pedestrians.
Drunk drivers are said to be driving under
the influence (DUI) of alcohol if their blood
alcohol level is .08 or higher.
TEEN Alcohol use
Many teens begin drinking because their friends do. Often,
teens do it to “get away” or because they feel “it’s just
what you should do”. Others do it to be part of the crowd.
Regardless, alcohol consumption in the United States* is
illegal for all under 21.
Anyone caught drinking runs the
risk of not being permitted to get their Driving License until
age 21. In addition, teen brains are continuing to grow
and under-age drinking may contribute to decreased
cognitive development.
(*the drinking age varies from country to country)
Some Long term physical Effects
Brain
Brain cell destruction, nervous system disorders, and memory
loss.
Heart
Irregular
heartbeat, heart
muscle damage.
Liver
Cirrhosis, or
scarring and
destruction of liver
tissue, and liver
cancer. Both can
cause death.
Kidneys
Blood Vessels
High blood pressure;
stroke.
Stomach
Ulcers (open
sores) in the
stomach lining;
stomach cancer.
Kidney failure resulting from high blood
pressure.
Mental/Emotional Risks
The psychological consequences of
substance use are very serious:
 Drug and alcohol users often feel bad about
themselves and have trouble relating to others.
 The ability to think and learn is impaired by
alcohol and drug use.
Mental/Emotional Effects
Addiction
Trouble
communicating
Depression
Reduced ambition
Suicide
Confusion
Irritability
Lack of
concentration
Anxiety
Loss of
inhibitions
Anger
Poor judgment
Loss of memory
Inability to solve problems
Risks in School
Teens who use alcohol or other drugs may:
 Be late or miss school often.
 Do poorly in school because they are unable to
pay attention.
 Behave in ways that get them suspended or
expelled.
 Miss the opportunity to be involved in school
activities.
 Let down classmates or teammates because of
poor performance.
 Lose the chance to learn new skills and
develop their abilities.
 Fail to meet long-term goals.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is an illness characterized by a
physical and psychological need for
alcohol.
 Alcoholics are unable to limit the amount they
drink.
 They develop a tolerance for alcohol and need
to drink more and more alcohol to experience
its effects.
Alcoholism (cont’d.)
A person may be alcoholic if he or she:
 Becomes drunk often.
 Drinks alone.
 Stops participating in other activities so that he
or she can drink.
 Makes excuses for drinking.
 Promises to quit but does not.
 Refuses to admit how much he or she drinks.
 Experiences blackouts.
Problem Drinking?
It’s not just the drinker’s problem

Drinking and Driving one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States
 Violence or abuse towards others.
Alcohol involved in more than ½ of murders,
suicides, sexual violence, and violence in general
 Can cause Birth Defects including Mental Retardation, slow growth, Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome, Pre-Mature labor
 One of the top 5 leading causes of Divorce
 Excessive use can cause mental illness
 Job Loss => no money => loss of home?
 Loss of driving privileges
 INCREASED SEXUAL RISK TAKING
Risks to the Unborn
Use of alcohol or other drugs by pregnant
females can result in:
 Serious diseases and birth defects in the fetus.
 Delays in development and learning
disabilities.
 Addiction to drugs at birth.
 Fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes
developmental delays and psychological and
behavioral problems throughout life.
Getting Help
To get help for yourself or for a friend, or
family member who has an alcohol or drug
problem:
 Talk to trusted adults like parents, teachers,
religious leaders, or counselors.
 If you feel uncomfortable talking to these
adults about your problems, you can turn to
organizations that offer counseling and
treatment.
Reasons to Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
There are many good reasons to avoid
alcohol and drugs. Remind yourself:
 Alcohol and drugs can harm my health.
 I do not show respect for myself if I use
alcohol or drugs.
 My future means too much to me to ruin it.
 I’d rather be in control of what I do.
 Alcohol and drugs can take away my energy.
 Using alcohol or drugs means breaking the law.
 My true friends don’t try to convince me to use
drugs.
Alternatives to Alcohol
Finding healthy ways to spend time is a
good way to avoid substance use. Here are
some ideas:
 Join an activity at school.
 Volunteer.
 Participate in any alcohol- and drug-free
events taking place in the community.