Alcohol & the College Experience Myth vs. Reality Sarah Pahl, MSW Drug Prevention Resources, Inc. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Great Expectations Word of Mouth – older siblings, friends Media – TV, movies, commercials Internet – myspace, facebook Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Word of Mouth – older siblings, friends

Media – TV, movies, commercials

Internet – myspace, facebook

“ The ALCOHOL Presentation” This presentation will NOT cry the woes and evils of alcohol. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

This presentation will NOT cry the woes and evils of alcohol.

“ The ALCOHOL Presentation” This presentation WILL bust the myths commonly held by college students regarding alcohol use. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

This presentation WILL bust the myths commonly held by college students regarding alcohol use.

“ The ALCOHOL Presentation” College drinking: expectation vs. reality Alcohol’s effects on the body Metabolism of alcohol After the party… Consequences of high-risk drinking Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

College drinking: expectation vs. reality

Alcohol’s effects on the body

Metabolism of alcohol

After the party…

Consequences of high-risk drinking

College Drinking Everybody does it. It’s a normal part of college life. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Everybody does it.

It’s a normal part of college life.

College Drinking: Nationwide Reality 21.4% of college students have NEVER used alcohol (perception = 4.1%) Only 0.4% of college students use alcohol every day (perception = 37.3%) 80.8% of college students use a designated driver Data source: National College Health Assessment, Fall 2006. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

21.4% of college students have NEVER used alcohol (perception = 4.1%)

Only 0.4% of college students use alcohol every day (perception = 37.3%)

80.8% of college students use a designated driver

Data source: National College Health Assessment, Fall 2006.

College Drinking I can drink and still be in control. I’d be better off if I learn to hold my liquor. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

I can drink and still be in control.

I’d be better off if I learn to

hold my liquor.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body Alcohol can have devastating effects on the LIVER HEART & BRAIN … especially in individuals under age 21 Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Alcohol can have devastating effects on the

LIVER

HEART & BRAIN

… especially in individuals under age 21

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body: LIVER Cirrhosis of the liver causes the cells of the liver to be damaged beyond repair and blood can no longer flow properly through the liver. If blood cannot flow through the liver it cannot be cleaned, causing toxins and waste to build up in the body . Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Cirrhosis of the liver causes the cells of the liver to be damaged beyond repair and blood can no longer flow properly through the liver. If blood cannot flow through the liver it cannot be cleaned, causing toxins and waste to build up in the body .

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body: HEART Heavy drinking can damage the heart and lead to high blood pressure , congestive heart failure , stroke , and alcoholic cardiomyopathy (enlarged and weakened heart). Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Heavy drinking can damage the heart and lead to high blood pressure , congestive heart failure , stroke , and alcoholic cardiomyopathy (enlarged and weakened heart).

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body: BRAIN VITAL CENTERS Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body: BRAIN 1-2 drinks 3-4 drinks 5-6 drinks 7-8 drinks 9-10 drinks More than 10 drinks –VITAL CENTERS Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

College Drinking Cold showers, fresh air, or hot coffee help sober a person. Eating a lot while drinking will keep you sober. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Metabolism of Alcohol The liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per hour, regardless of the amount that has been consumed. Since metabolism of alcohol is slow, consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and in toxic ation. It is IMPOSSIBLE to speed up the metabolism process with any other substance or activity. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

The liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per hour, regardless of the amount that has been consumed.

Since metabolism of alcohol is slow, consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and in toxic ation.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to speed up the metabolism process with any other substance or activity.

Metabolism of Alcohol Factors Influencing Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism: Food – causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly (does not decrease the amount in the body) Gender – females have a higher percentage of fat and lower percentage of water, causing them to have a higher concentration of alcohol (BAC) in the body Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Factors Influencing Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism:

Food – causes alcohol to be absorbed more slowly (does not decrease the amount in the body)

Gender – females have a higher percentage of fat and lower percentage of water, causing them to have a higher concentration of alcohol (BAC) in the body

Defining a “Drink” Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

College Drinking I can manage to drive well enough after a few drinks. Someone who passes out from drinking should sleep it off. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

I can manage to drive well enough after a few drinks.

Someone who passes out from drinking should sleep it off.

After the Party… You may feel like this… Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

You may feel like this…

After the Party… But you look like this! Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

But you look like this!

After the Party… Depressant effects Balance, speech, vision, reaction and hearing are reduced Judgment is impacted, you may think you are functioning better than you really are Blunted feelings Disinhibition Extroversion Impaired sexual pleasure 0.06-0.09 0.08 is the legal limit for driving Minor impairment in reasoning and memory Lowering of cautions Emotions exaggerate Lowered inhibitions Feeling of well being 0.04-0.059 No loss of coordination Slight lightheadedness Slight euphoria Loss of shyness 0.02-0.03 Physical and Mental Impairments Changes in Feeling & Personality Blood Alcohol Concentration Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

After the Party… Gross motor impairment Blurred vision Reduced euphoria Judgment and perception are severely impaired Nausea may appear Anxiety Restlessness “ Sloppy drunk” 0.16-0.24 Gross motor control Vision Reasoning Reaction time Staggering Slurred speech Over-expression Emotional swings Angry or sad Boisterous 0.10-0.15 Physical and Mental Impairments Changes in Feeling & Personality Blood Alcohol Concentration Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

After the Party… Breathing Heart rate Death 0.40+ MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED This is the level of surgical anesthesia Severe depression Unconsciousness Coma possible Death possible 0.35-0.399 Bladder function Breathing Heart rate STUPOR. You may not comprehend where you are. You may pass out suddenly and be difficult to awaken. 0.30-0.349 All mental, physical and sensory functions Risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring yourself by falls or other accidents Stupor Lose understanding Impaired sensations 0.25-0.29 Physical and Mental Impairments Changes in Feeling & Personality Blood Alcohol Concentration Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Critical Signs for Alcohol Poisoning Mental confusion, stupor, coma, or person cannot be roused Vomiting Seizures Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute) Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths) Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

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

Vomiting

Seizures

Slow breathing (fewer than eight breaths per minute)

Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)

Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

After the Party… If you suspect someone may have alcohol poisoning, DON’T GUESS! CALL 911! Your friend’s life may depend on it. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

If you suspect someone may have alcohol poisoning,

DON’T GUESS!

CALL 911!

Your friend’s life may depend on it.

College Drinking Drinking isn’t all that dangerous. I don’t have to worry about becoming an alcoholic. Alcohol isn’t as bad as other drugs. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

Drinking isn’t all that dangerous.

I don’t have to worry about becoming an alcoholic.

Alcohol isn’t as bad as other drugs.

Consequences of High-Risk Drinking DEATH – 1,700 college students die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries INJURY – 599,000 students are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol ASSAULT – More than 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

DEATH – 1,700 college students die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries

INJURY – 599,000 students are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol

ASSAULT – More than 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking

Consequences of High-Risk Drinking SEXUAL ABUSE – more than 97,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape UNSAFE SEX – 400,000 students had unprotected sex and more than 100,000 students report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

SEXUAL ABUSE – more than 97,000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape

UNSAFE SEX – 400,000 students had unprotected sex and more than 100,000 students report having been too intoxicated to know if they consented to having sex

Consequences of High-Risk Drinking ACADEMIC PROBLEMS – About 25% of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class , falling behind , doing poorly on exams or papers , and receiving lower grades overall ALCOHOL ABUSE & DEPENDENCE – 31% of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6% for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

ACADEMIC PROBLEMS – About 25% of college students report academic consequences of their drinking including missing class , falling behind , doing poorly on exams or papers , and receiving lower grades overall

ALCOHOL ABUSE & DEPENDENCE – 31% of college students met criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6% for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months

Alcohol Abuse vs. Dependence ABUSE Failure to fulfill major responsibilities Drinking in physically dangerous situations Recurring alcohol-related legal problems Continued drinking despite relationship problems DEPENDENCE Craving Loss of Control Physical Dependence Tolerance Think you may have a problem with alcohol? Find a counselor to talk to and get help. Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.

ABUSE

Failure to fulfill major responsibilities

Drinking in physically dangerous situations

Recurring alcohol-related legal problems

Continued drinking despite relationship problems

DEPENDENCE

Craving

Loss of Control

Physical Dependence

Tolerance

Be Careful, Be Smart! Drug Prevention Resources, Inc.