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 problem
A weakness in
character or
A lack of will power
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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 facts
Alcoholism 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.
Environment
friends
social norms/ attitudes
curiosity
availability
poor 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
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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?
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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 House
CCS 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
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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”