BINGE DRINKING
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BINGE DRINKING
• TRAINING TASK:
– Students will learn the definition of binge drinking,
the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and what to do if
someone is showing signs, blood alcohol content
(BAC) levels and the effects of alcohol, and the
impact alcohol can have on their military careers
• CONDITION:
– Students will be given a lecture in conjunction with
a PowerPoint presentation in a classroom setting
• STANDARD:
– Students will be able to correctly define the term
binge drinking, identify the symptoms of alcohol
poisoning and be able to react, identify the different
BAC levels, and will know how alcohol abuse can
affect their military careers
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REFERENCES
• AR 600-85 Army Substance Abuse
Program (ASAP)
• http://ww.medhelps.com/Topics/Ad
dictions//Binge%20Drinking.htm
• http://www.1id.army.mil/1ID/safety
/Alcohol_support_information.doc
• http://www.intheknowzone.com/bi
nge.htm
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WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING?
• DEFINITION:
– The consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a
very short period of time.
– Rule of thumb:
• Females – 4 or more drinks in a row
• Males – 5 or more drinks in a row
• Can cause alcohol poisoning which can be
fatal.
• Becomes even more deadly when combined
with medications or other drugs, illness,
stress, or an empty stomach.
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SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL
POISONING
• Drinking excessive amounts of
alcohol to the point of vomiting
• Semi consciousness or
unconsciousness
• Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin
• Slow breathing
• Vomiting while sleeping or while
unconscious
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WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
• Never leave the person alone
• Turn the person on his or her side
and check their pulse and
breathing periodically
• GET HELP!
• If unsure of what to do, it is
“better to be safe than sorry”,
take them to the emergency room
– it could save their life
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BLOOD ALCOHOL
CONCENTRATION (BAC)
• In most states, a BAC of .10% is considered
legally drunk.
• In some states, the legal definition of
intoxication is .08%.
• In the Army, a BAC ≥ .05% is considered to be
impaired while on duty
• On Ft. Hood, a BAC ≥ .04% is considered to be
impaired while on duty
• The faster someone drinks, the higher the
BAC is, and the more dangerous drinking
becomes.
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•
BAC AND GROWING
IMPAIRMENT
Following are ten snapshots of increasing drunkenness and
impairment as blood alcohol concentration increases.
Ranges are approximate and vary with the drinker:
BAC
EFFECTS
.02
Drinkers begin to feel moderate effects.
.04
Most people begin to feel relaxed, mildly euphoric, sociable, and talkative.
.05
Judgment, attention, and control are somewhat impaired. Ability to drive safely
begins to be limited. Sensory-motor and finer performance are impaired. People are
less able to make rational decisions about their capabilities (for example, about
driving.)
.08
There is a definite impairment of muscle coordination and driving skills.
.10
There is a clear deterioration of reaction time and control.
.12-.15
Vomiting usually occurs, unless this level is reached slowly or a person has
developed a tolerance to alcohol. Drinkers are drowsy.
- Drinkers display emotional instability, loss of critical judgment, impairment of perception,
memory, and comprehension.
- Lack of sensor-motor coordination and impaired balance are typical. Decreased sensory
responses and increased reaction times develop. The vision is significantly impaired, including
limited ability to see detail, peripheral vision, and slower glare recovery.
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BAC AND GROWING
IMPAIRMENT
EFFECTS
Death
may
occur
at
.37%
or
.15
This blood-alcohol level means the equivalent of 1/2 pint of
whiskey is BACs
circulating in
the.45%
blood stream.
higher.
of
and higher
.18-.25
Drinkers are disoriented, confused, dizzy, and have
areexaggerated
fatal to
nearly
all individuals.
emotional
states. Vision
is disturbed, as is
BAC
perception of color, form, motion, and dimensions.
- Drinkers have increased pain threshold and lack of muscular
coordination. Drinkers stagger or lose the ability to walk and
have slurred speech. Apathy and lethargy are typical.
.25-.30
Drinkers display general inertia, near total loss of motor
functions, little response to stimuli, inability to stand or
walk, vomiting, and incontinence. Drinkers may lose
consciousness or fall into a stupor.
.30-.50
Symptoms are complete unconsciousness, depressed or
absent reflexes, subnormal body temperature, incontinence,
and impairment of circulation and respiration.
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IMPACT ON MILITARY CAREER
• UCMJ action
• Referral to ASAP
• Possible separation
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QUESTIONS?
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