Alcohol: Know the Risks!

Ben Gordon Center

Angel Hernandez, LSW, CADC, ATE

Summary of Presentation

• Why do people choose to drink?• How does alcohol enter the bloodstream?• Short term effects of alcohol use• Long term effects of alcohol use• Blood Alcohol Level• Abuse vs. Addiction• Harm Reduction of Alcohol Use• Signs of Alcohol Poisoning• What to do if you have a problem

Why do people choose to drink?

• De-stress from school or work• Reward themselves• Like the effectsLike the effects• Feel less inhibited in social situations• Fit in with others that are drinking• Express feelings that are difficult to

express when they are sober• Escape problemsEscape problems

How does alcohol enter the bloodstream?

1 MOUTH2 STOMACH 3 SMALL INTESTINE 4 BLOODSTREAM 5 LIVER 6 BRAIN

About 20% of the alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and about 80% is absorbed in the small intestine.

• 1) Swallowed through the mouth1) Swallowed through the mouth• 2) Stomach-small amount of alcohol is 2) Stomach-small amount of alcohol is

absorbed into the blood stream through the absorbed into the blood stream through the stomach wall.stomach wall.

• 3) Small Intestine- Most of the alcohol passes 3) Small Intestine- Most of the alcohol passes into the bloodstream through the small into the bloodstream through the small intestine.intestine.

• 4) Bloodstream-takes blood and alcohol all 4) Bloodstream-takes blood and alcohol all over the body.over the body.

• 5) Liver-organ where alcohol is oxidized-5) Liver-organ where alcohol is oxidized-turned into water, carbon dioxide, and energy turned into water, carbon dioxide, and energy at a rate of ½ oz. of alcohol per hour for at a rate of ½ oz. of alcohol per hour for adults.adults.

• 6) Brain-affects the brain by depressing (or 6) Brain-affects the brain by depressing (or slowing down the it’s function.slowing down the it’s function.

Short term effects of alcohol use

• after 30 -60 minutes reaches the highest blood concentration

• relaxation• slight body warmth• muscle coordination becomes poor • short-term memory loss• loss of balance• Lethargy• Blackout

Long term effects of alcohol use

• Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning 

• Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence

• Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity 

• Increased family problems, broken relationships 

• Cancer of the mouth and throat

Long term effects continued

• High blood pressure and stroke• Liver disease  • Sexual problems  • Alcohol does destroy brain cells. The earlier

one starts drinking and the more a person uses the faster the brain function is lost.

• Ulcers  • Malnutrition 

Blood Alcohol Level

• Blood Alcohol Concentration/Content: How much alcohol is in your system compared to how much total blood volume you have.

• What are some factors that affect BAC?

• 1)Body weight- more body weight-more alcohol to get the same effects.

• 2) If one has had anything to eat before or during drinking

Vs.

• 3) Amount of alcohol consumed

• 4) Thoughts & Expectations: Often what you think alcohol will do for you is what it actually does for you.

Effects of alcohol at different BACBlood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Typical Effects Predictable effects on driving

0,2‰ Some loss of judgment, relaxation,slight body warmth, altered mood

Decline in visual functions (rapid tracking of a moving target), decline in ability to perform two tasks at the same time (divided attention)

0,5‰ Exaggerated behavior, may have loss of small-muscle control (e.g., focusing your eyes), impaired judgment, usually good feeling, lowered alertness, release of inhibition

Reduced coordination, reduced response to emergency driving situations double risk of having a car accident !

0,8‰ Muscle coordination becomes poor (e.g., balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing)

■ Harder to detect danger

■ Judgment, self- control, reasoning,

and memory are impaired

Concentration

■ Short-term

memory loss

■ Speed control

■ Reduced information processing capability (e.g., signal detection, visual search)

■ Impaired perception

1‰ Clear deterioration of reaction time and control

■ Slurred speech, poor coordination, and slowed thinking

Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately

2 ‰ Vomiting ■ Major loss of balance, possible loss of conciusness ■ risk of freezing outside - body temperature declines

Substantial impairment in vehicle control

3-4‰ Loss of consciousness, reduction in heart beat and respiration, coma, possible death

Abuse vs. Addiction

Alcohol Abuse• drinking alcohol in dangerous situations, such

as while driving a car, getting into trouble with the law as a result of your alcohol intake, neglecting your home or work responsibilities, and continuing to drink despite the negative impact it is having on your relationships.

Alcohol Addiction• a craving or strong urge to drink; an inability

to stop drinking; symptoms of withdrawal such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety and tolerance; or the need for greater amounts of alcohol to feel "high." Other symptoms include drinking in secret, not remembering conversations or "blacking out," drinking as a ritual and becoming frustrated when this gets interrupted, and no longer enjoying activities or hobbies that you used to find pleasure in doing

Harm Reduction of Alcohol Use

1. Eat before or while drinking. 2. Drink slowly and maybe switch to non

alcoholic drinks in between.3. Do not drink to get drunk!4. Don‘t drink to cope with stress, anger,

sadness or because you can‘t sleep…5. Never drive after drinking!6. Don‘t mix alcohol with drugs or medications!7. Respect non-drinkers. 8. Don‘t allow anybody to tell you have to drink

if you don‘t feel like it.9. Check that who‘s driving stays sober

Take Action To Cut Back!• Here are some strategies to help you cut back or

stop drinking. Remember, try to limit your drinking to no more than:

• 1 drink a day for women • 2 drinks a day for men • Keep track of your drinking.

First, set a drinking limit. For example, you may decide to have no more than 3 drinks per week.

• Step 1: Write down your drinking limit on a piece of paper.

• Step 2: Keep track of your drinking. Write down every time you have a drink for 1 week.

• Take a day off from drinking.Choose a day each week (for example, Tuesday) when you will not drink.

• Don’t drink when you are upset.If you have a bad day or are feeling angry, don’t reach for a drink. Try taking a walk, calling a friend, or seeing a movie.

• Avoid places where people drink too much.Stay away from bars or other places that make you want to drink.

• Learn new skills to change drinking habits.Planning ahead can help you manage situations when you might be tempted to drink too much. Plan ahead of time how you will say “no” if someone offers you a drink.

Continue to Take Action!

• Limit the amount of alcohol you keep at home.This way you won’t be tempted to go over your drinking limit.

• Make a list of reasons not to drink. Keep this list in your wallet, bag, or on your fridge. Refer to it when you have the urge to drink.

• Ask for help if you need it.Ask your friends and family to support you. Talk to a doctor or nurse if you are having a hard time cutting down on your drinking. Don’t give up!

What is “low risk” drinking?

Research demonstrates “low-risk” drinking levels for men are no more than 4 drinks on any single day AND no more than 14 drinks per week. For women, “low-risk” drinking levels are no more than three drinks on any single day AND no more than seven drinks per week. To stay low-risk, you must keep within both the single-day and weekly limits.

Signs of Alcohol PoisoningAlcohol poisoning is a serious — and

sometimes deadly — consequence of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. Drinking too much too quickly can affect your breathing, heart rate and gag reflex and potentially lead to coma and death.

• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused.

• Vomiting. • Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths

per minute). • Hypothermia, bluish skin color, paleness.

What to do if someone needs help• Don‘t leave them alone

• Talk to them, calm them down if necessary

• Get them in the fresh air, but watch that they doesn‘t get cold

• Offer water

If they have lost conciousness

1. check thier airways are free from vomit,

2. check if they are breathing

3. put them in the safety position to avoid them suffocates himself

4. Pinch thier arm to verify reflexes

5. If they don‘t react in any way call 911

safety position

What to do if you have a problem

Ask yourself these questions

If you answer yes to 1 or more of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol. Have you ever felt:

• The need to cut down on your drinking? • Annoyed by criticism of your drinking? • Guilty about your drinking? • As if you need a drink in the morning?

Resources

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

http://www.samhsa.gov/index.aspxOr the treatment locator 1-800-662-HELP

Ben Gordon Center (815)756-4875 or crisis number (866)242-0111

Alcoholics Anonymous www.aa.org or call (800)452-7990 or (630)377-6610 to find a meeting near you