Alcohol and Substance Abuse PDF

ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE Alcohol and substance abuse Physical effects vary amongst people People with larger bodies can tolerate more alcohol than small body Related to the amount of water stored in the body. People with different temperament handle alcohol differently. Some become qui...

ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE Alcohol and substance abuse Physical effects vary amongst people People with larger bodies can tolerate more alcohol than small body Related to the amount of water stored in the body. People with different temperament handle alcohol differently. Some become quiet while others become violent and argumentative A person that is ill will feel the effect quicker People that regularly consume alcohol better 2 Alcohol affect the body in the following order Reduced inhibitions Loud speech, bravado, being overly friendly, drinking alone, changing from a loud voice to a quiet one and vice-versa. Impaired Judgement Complaining about the strength of the drinks, changing consumption rate, ordering doubles, argumentative, using foul language, careless with money, buying rounds of drinks for strangers or the house, irrational statements, belligerent. Impaired Reactions Unable to light a cigarette, having more than one cigarette lit at a time, eyes glassy or lack of focus, loss of train of thought, slurred speech Impaired Co-ordination Unable to pick up change, spilling drinks, can’t find mouth with glass, unable to sit straight on a chair or bar stool, swaying, drowsy, stumbling, has trouble moving around objects in path, bumps into things, falling. 3 Common Symptoms of Drug Abuse General Symptoms Unusual flare-ups or outbursts of temper Secretive behaviour about personal possessions, such as a bag or purse Wearing sunglasses when no one else is Wearing long-sleeved garments in hot weather Association with known drug abusers Stealing items that can be easily pawned or sold 4 Server intervention programme These programs provide education and training to servers of alcoholic beverages with the goal of altering their serving practices to prevent customer intoxication and alcohol-impaired driving. Practices may include offering customers food with drinks, delaying service to rapid drinkers, refusing service to intoxicated or underage consumers, and discouraging intoxicated customers from driving. 5 Reduce the Risk of Intoxication The establishment should promote responsible drinking through pricing, promotion and general practice. Non-alcoholic beverages should be offered across all price ranges on the menu. Beverages will not be sold in bulk. Only one drink per customer should be served at a time. Customers should not be served alcohol to the point of intoxication. Behavioural clues or actual consumption should be used to gauge the probability of intoxication. Alcoholic beverages should not be served to customers likely to become intoxicated. Servers should be given specific areas so that they can monitor customer drinking in that area. 6 Lower the Risk of Intoxicated Customers Becoming Drivers The operation should intervene to stop intoxicated customers from driving. The operation should arrange for alternative transportation through friends, family or taxis. If necessary, the operation should arrange for overnight accommodation. 7 Stop Underage Drinking Underage people will not be served alcoholic beverages. The age of anyone considered to be below the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages will be checked and verified. 8 Improve Staff Morale and Functioning All employees associated with the service of alcoholic beverages should be trained so that they know the aims of the program, what they are expected to do, and to set up groups to promote the program. Staff meetings should be held regularly to assess the program and to get employee input. Staff achievement should be recognised and rewarded. 9 Develop Good Community Relations The management should keep in touch with the press and other media to indicate the success of the program They should also try in every other way to inform the community of the server intervention program and its aims 10