Alcohol Effects & Consumption PDF

Alcohol 1 Alcohol, Health and Well-Being https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-skVpmoaGI 2  Objectives ▪ Describe what alcoholic beverages are ▪ Outline the physiological and behavioural effects of alcohol ▪ Describe the short and lo...

Alcohol 1 Alcohol, Health and Well-Being https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-skVpmoaGI 2  Objectives ▪ Describe what alcoholic beverages are ▪ Outline the physiological and behavioural effects of alcohol ▪ Describe the short and long-term effects of (excess) alcohol intake ▪ Explain the various types of alcohol-related problems ▪ Outline methods used in treating alcoholism 3  What are Alchohol Beverages Pure alcohol refers to ethyl alcohol (ethanol) It is a colourless liquid obtained through fermentation It is intoxicating agent Directly and quickly absorbed in the bloodstream, typically within 15 minutes; reaches peak concentration in ~ 1 hour A sedative that depresses the CNS → lowers body temperature and heart rate, increases feelings of relaxation and calmness. An alcoholic beverage contains 0.5-80% ethanol by volume 4 All Alcoholic Beverages are Not Equal in Ethanol Content A standard drink is a measure of how much pure alcohol you are drinking. It varies based on the concentration of alcohol in a beverage. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance- use/alcohol/low-risk-alcohol-drinking-guidelines.html 5 Alcohol Absorption in the Body Some alcohol is absorbed through the stomach where it then enters the bloodstream. Remaining alcohol passes into the small intestine where it then enters the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, alcohol is taken to the liver via the portal vein for metabolism. Alcohol that is not metabolized returns to blood and circulates through body, including brain. 6  The Fate of Alcohol in the Body ABSORPTION METABOLISM Stomach Liver Small Intestine CIRCULATION ELIMINATION Body Breath Sweat Brain Urine Feces 7 Metabolism of Alcohol Ethanol Acetaldehyde Acetate CO2 and H2O Alcohol Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase Dehydrogenase Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver; but metabolism can also occur in the brain, pancreas and stomach. 8 Alcohol in Blood can be Measured Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in the blood; Expressed in units of g/100 ml BAC of 0.08% = 0.08 g alcohol per 100mL blood BAC can be measured by: Breathalyzer Urine Sample Blood Test Criminal Code of Canada Roadside Suspensions BAC limit = 0.08 BAC between = 0.05-0.08 1-2 standard drinks 9 Blood Alcohol Levels Correlate with impairment functioning 10 11 Immediate Effects of Alcohol Depends on How Much You Consume BAC Dose-Specific Effects of Alcohol 0.02-0.03 No loss of coordination, slight euphoria, loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Relaxation, lower inhibitions. Euphoria. Minor impairment 0.04-0.06 of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution. Driving skills may be impaired at this level. Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and 0.07-0.09 hearing. Judgment and self-control are reduced, and caution, reason, and memory are impaired. Illegal to operate a vehicle in BC. Source: William J Bailey, Drug Use in American Society, 3rd ed.  BAC Dose-Specific Effects of Alcohol 0.10-0.12 Significant impairment of motor coordination, judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time, hearing impaired. Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision 0.13-0.15 and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) is beginning to appear. 0.16-0.20 Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear; "sloppy drunk“ 0.30 Loss of consciousness Source: William J Bailey, Drug Use in American Society, 3rd ed. IRP BC - Immediate Roadside Prohibition | Pacific Law in Vancouver, BC 14  Number of Drinks Food Strength of Drinks Race Factors that Speed of Influence BAC Drinking Body Type of Weight Drink Gender 15 In Canada … ❖ Approximately 22 million individuals (15+ years) reported drinking alcohol in the past year. ❖ Men drink more than women and have riskier drinking patterns (consume more than guidelines). ❖ Top reasons for drinking include: Relaxation Taste Intoxication Socialize Pressure 16 17 Heavy drinking can be defined as … 5 or more drinks on one 4 or more drinks on one occasion for MEN occasion for WOMEN … at least once a month, every month, in the past year. Health risks include: ❖ elevated blood pressure, weakened heart ❖ damage to the liver and brain 18 Percentage Who Reported Heavy Drinking in the Last Year, by Sex, Aged 12 or Older, Canada, 2001–2013 19 Percentage Who Reported Heavy Drinking in the Last Year, by Age Group and Sex, Aged 12 or Older, Canada, 2013 20 Binge drinking can be defined as … 5 or more drinks in a 4 or more drinks in a row for MEN row for WOMEN … in about a 2 hour time period. Consequences include: ❖ arriving late or missing work or school ❖ driving under the influence of substances 21 Short-term effects of alcohol consumption: Intoxication or Accidents or Violent or Criminal Poisoning Injuries Behaviour Unprotected Use of Other Workplace Intercourse Substances Problems 22  Long-term effects of alcohol consumption: Morbidity and Mortality Risk HIGHER Risk of -hepatitis, cirrhosis -cancer of GI tract LOWER Risk of CVD -raises HDL cholesterol -reduces blood clotting Alcoholic Drinks per Day 23 Long-term Effects of Alcohol on the Body 24 Alcohol during Pregnancy is a NO-NO There is no known safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant. ❖ Alcohol from the mother’s bloodstream passes into the bloodstream of the fetus through the umbilical cord. ❖ Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can result in: Miscarriage and Stillbirth Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder range of physical, behavioural, intellectual disabilities 25 Children with FASD might have the following: Abnormal Small Head Poor Hyperactive Face Features Size Coordination Behaviour Poor Speech Intellectual Poor Attention Delays Disability Judgement 26  Alcohol Related Problems Alcohol abuse is use of alcohol despite awareness of social, occupational, psychological, or physical problems related to drinking. Diagnosed based on ≥1 of the following occurring over 12 months: ▪ Failure to fulfill major role obligation ▪ Using alcohol when it is physically hazardous ▪ Alcohol-related legal problems ▪ Continued use despite recurring problems 27 Alcohol dependence occurs when individuals develop a strong craving for alcohol due to pleasurable feeling, stress relief, etc. Diagnosed based on ≥3 occurring over 12 months: ▪ Tolerance: greater amount needed to be intoxicated ▪ Withdrawal: sweating, rapid pulse, tremors, etc. ▪ Drinking to avoid/relieve symptoms of withdrawal ▪ Consuming large amounts of alcohol over longer period ▪ Persistent desire/unsuccessful attempts to cut back ▪ Increased time spent to get alcohol, drink it, or recover from it ▪ Given up or reduced activities because of alcohol ▪ Use despite knowledge alcohol exacerbates problems 28 Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is often progressive and can be fatal; genetic, psychosocial, environmental influences. Characteristics include: ▪ Inability to control drinking ▪ Preoccupation with alcohol ▪ Continued use despite consequences ▪ Distorted thinking patterns including denial 29 Treating Alcohol Detoxification Inpatient Treatment medically supervised individual, group, or withdrawal family counseling 7-21 days 30-90 days 30 Behavioural Therapies Enhances coping skills, focuses on goal-setting and self-monitoring 12 Step Programs Self-help program, focuses on honesty, making amends, higher power Harm Reduction Managed alcohol program, focuses on reducing negative impact of alcohol 31 Two approaches to reducing alcohol related harm: Population Health ▪ aims to lower the overall drinking rate among all Canadians Harm Reduction ▪ targets the high-risk drinking patterns of individuals These approaches complement each other and are part of a mix of policies to address alcohol-related harm. 32  Best Practices for Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm 1. Instituting a minimum legal drinking age 2. Restricting hours and days of selling alcohol 3. Public monopolies on alcohol production and distribution 4. Outlet density restrictions (zoning to limit store clustering) 5. Alcohol taxes 6. Sobriety check points 7. Lower BAC limits 8. Administrative license suspension 9. Graduated licensing for new drivers 10. Early and brief interventions for hazadous drinkers 33