Alcohol Use
Drinking alcohol has immediate effects
that can increase the risk of many
harmful health conditions.
• Heavy drinking
– drinking more than two drinks per day on
average for men or more than one drink per
day on average for women
• Binge drinking
– drinking 5 or more drinks during a single
occasion for men or 4 or more drinks during a
single occasion for women
Excessive alcohol use can lead
to…
• Increased risk of health
problems
• Liver disease
• Unintentional injuries
Short-Term Effects
• Effects vary depending on the person’s:
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Size
Age
Weight
Gender
Amount of food/alcohol consumed
Enters the blood stream and enters the tissues.
Slurred speech
Disturbed sleep
Nausea
Vomiting
Short-Term Effects Cont…..
• Impairs the judgment and coordination
required to drive a car safely.
• Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also
increase the incidence of a variety of
aggressive acts, including:
– domestic violence
– child abuse
Long-Term Effects
(especially combined with poor nutrition)
• Prolonged, heavy use of alcohol can lead to
ADDICTION (alcoholism).
• Permanent damage to vital organs such as
the brain and liver.
• In addition, mothers who drink alcohol
during pregnancy may:
– give birth to infants with fetal alcohol
syndrome.
• These infants may suffer from mental retardation
and other irreversible physical abnormalities.
• In addition, research indicates that children of
alcoholic parents are at greater risk than other
children of becoming alcoholics.
When does drinking become
a problem?
• Alcohol abusers, or problem drinkers, are people who
clearly drink too much on a regular basis. Their alcohol
use is self-destructive or can present a danger to
others, but they are able to set limits and establish some
measure of control over their drinking.
• When alcohol abuse progresses to alcoholism, also
called alcohol addiction and alcohol dependence, the
drinker loses control of the amount they drink, and they
cannot stop using alcohol despite the severe physical
and psychological consequences of excessive drinking.
Signs and symptoms of alcohol
ABUSE
Continuing to drink even though you have health problems that are affected or
caused by your drinking
Health
Financial issues
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Paying bills late; collection agencies calling
Inability to keep track of your money
Legal issues
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Driving while under the influence (DUI)
Risky behavior
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Putting yourself or others in danger
Employment or
school
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Continuing to drink even though you realize your job or education is in jeopardy
Missing work or school, or going in late due to alcohol use
Family and
friends
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Feeling annoyed when other people comment on, or criticize your drinking habits
Feeling remorse or guilt after drinking
Associating with questionable acquaintances or frequenting out of the ordinary
locations when drinking
Social life
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Scheduling your day around drinking
Focusing recreational activities around obtaining alcohol, drinking or recovering
from alcohol use
Drinking alone or in secret
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U.S. alcohol-related deaths
reported in 2006:
• Automobile fatalities: 41%
• Teenage deaths: 25% of all
automobile fatalities
• Homicides: 31%
• Boating accidents: 20%
Each year…
• Approximately 5,000 young people under
the age of 21 die as a result of underage
drinking
• This includes about:
– 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes
– 1,600 as a result of homicides
– 300 from suicide
– As well as hundreds from other injuries such
as falls, burns, and drownings.
WHY DO SOME ADOLESCENTS DRINK?
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Risk Taking
Peer Pressure
Expectancies
Boredom
Imitation
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS?
• Brain Effects
– This is a critical developmental stage.
• Liver Effects
– Elevated liver enzymes, indicating some degree of
liver damage, have been found in some adolescents
who drink alcohol. Young drinkers who are overweight
or obese showed elevated liver enzymes even with
only moderate levels of drinking.
• Growth and Endocrine Effects
– Major developmental time.