Alcohol

Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-EWestern Montana Addiction ServicesProject SUCCESS- Sentinel HS

First Thing First…THE BRAINAge 25: Fully DevelopedAge 30: Fully MatureYounger Chemicals Are Introduced,

the Greater the Risk to Brain

DevelopmentMore than 4 in 10 who drink before

age 15 will become alcoholics

A couple terms….Neurotransmitters

Send and receive messages in the brain

Neuron The chemical (message) being sent

Tolerance

1. Decreased responsiveness to a stimulus, especially over a period of continued exposure.

2. The capacity to absorb a drug continuously or in large doses without adverse effect; diminution in the response to a drug after prolonged use.

3. Physiological resistance to a poison.** increased tolerance DOES NOT mean you are

any less drunk – your BAC does not change because your tolerance increases. **

Alcohol

Depressant Suppresses Central Nervous System▪ Slows Breathing▪ Slows Heart Rate▪ Slows Reflexes

Stimulates Dopamine Neuron▪ Feel Good Sensors ▪ Example: Runner’s High

Alcohol & The Brain Shrinking of the Brain Hippocampus –Learning and Memory Prefrontal Cortex – Decision

Making/Personality Reticular Formation – Sleep/Awake Cycles &

Consciousness Spinal Cord Cerebral Cortex – Thinking and Problem

Solving Cerebellum – Body Movement &

Coordination

Alcohol & The Heart

Irregular heart beatWeakens heart musclesDecreases heartbeat High blood pressure Increased risk of heart attackSome research shows a correlation

of an enzyme found in red wine used in moderation can have a positive effect on the heart. This is dependent on many other factors.

Alcohol & The Lungs

Slow or irregular breathingChoking or asphyxiationLowers protective antioxidants in lung liningKeeps proteins our lungs need out impacting capacity.

Alcohol & Mental Health

Mental Health Diagnosis Increases risk of substance use Most common among▪ Depression▪ Anxiety▪ Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder▪ Bi-Polar Disorder▪ Schizophrenia▪ Other Personality Disorders

Alcohol, Mouth, Throat, Stomach, Kidney, Pancreas and Liver

Cancer of the Mouth & ThroatCancer of the PancreasCirrhosis of the LiverKidney FailureStomach UlcersToo much alcohol to metabolize

leads to alcohol poisoning, possibly death

Alcohol & The Immune SystemLowers the immune systemMore prone to disease & illnessPrevents nutrients from absorbing Decreases a lymph node's ability to

release antibodies into the blood to protect you from illness.

Alcohol & Musculoskeletal SystemWeakens Muscles

Nerve functions Decreases testosterone needed for building muscle or maintaining muscle tone

Weakens Bones Overtime osteoporosis Decreases bodies ability to absorb calcium

Wernicke’s Encephalophay Inability to absorb vitamin BCauses:

Lack of Coordination Impaired Vision Short-Term Memory Problems Confusion

Alcohol & Reproductive System InfertilityMale

Decreased testosterone Shrinking Testacies Impotence

Female Reduces estrogen Abnormal menstrual cycles and

ovulation cycles Spontaneous abortions Early menopause

Alcohol: PregnancyBiggest impact in first weeks of

pregnancy when most vital organs are starting to form (you may not even know you are pregnant)

Can take 1 drink, can take 50 drinks during pregnancy during any stage of gestation Fetal Alcohol Syndrome▪ Physical and Mental Health

Fetal Alcohol Effect▪ Mental Health

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Other Health Risks w/ AlcoholCan cause seizuresHypothermia (Low body

temperature)Enhances carcinogens in other

chemicals, such as tobacco or marijuana

Can cause damage to DNA cellsHypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)

Dangerous for someone with diabetes

Alcohol is Addictive!Biology•Addiction is Hereditary•It does not skip generations•It affects both boys and girls

Age•The younger you start drinking, the greater the risk for addiction

Personality•Theory of an addictive personality•Use things in excess

Alcohol Poisoning

Binge Drinking 5 standard drinks in 2 hours for males 4 standard drinks in 2 hours for females

Too much too quickly

Body can’t metabolize alcohol that quickly Males metabolize alcohol more quickly

than females

Alcohol: Dangerous GamesHigher risk for sexual assault

Rape case investigations last year in Missoula showed that most victims were drinking at the time of their rape.

Rapid drinking on a bet or a dare Alcohol hits stomach faster than your

body can process/metabolize the substance

Girls keeping up with boys Girls metabolize alcohol slower than

boys

Signs of Alcohol PoisoningMental confusion, stupor, or comaNo response when pinching skinVomiting while sleepingSeizuresSlow or irregular breathing Low body temperatureBluish skin color, paleness

Alcohol Poisoning & DeathHypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)SeizuresChoking or asphyxiation on vomitBreathing slows, becomes irregular,

stopsHeartbeat irregular, stopsHypothermia (low body temperature)

Causing cardiac arrest

Alcohol: What You Can DoKnow the signs of alcohol overdoseBe aware of your responsibility

Ask for help Don’t be embarrassed

Know what to do if someone overdoses Be honest about how much they drank Seek medical assistance Don’t leave them alone

Alcohol: Sobering UpEating, drinking coffee, sleeping it off, taking a cold shower, walking it off, and being left alone just create a very…..

Full, wide awake, well rested, dripping wet, exercised and possibly irritated drunk.

Only TIME sobers a person up. Your body can only get the alcohol out of your body as fast as it can metabolize it.

Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol VERY

DANGEROUS. 2 hrs – weeks after

use Shakes/Tremors Chills Sweating Nausea Anxiety Nervousness Depression Irritability Heart issues

Jumpiness Mood Swings Nightmares/Terrors Clammy Skin Dilated pupils Insomnia Headaches Rapid heart rate Confusion Hallucinations Seizures

Alcohol Impairs Your Judgement

Alcohol Facts (From 2011 Study) Alcohol is the most abused drug in the USA Alcohol related crashes cost the State of MT

approximately $511 million per year Youth that drink are 50x more likely to use

cocaine than those who never drink. Binge drinkers are more likely to drive

impaired than non-binge drinkers More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking

before age 15 eventually become alcoholics. This increases if you have a family history

of substance abuse