Grab a handout in the pick-up basket

The Impact of Alcohol

BAC IS THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN A PERSON’S BLOOD EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE

Blood Alcohol Content (concentration)

Blood Alcohol Content

• BAC depends on the quantity and type of alcohol consumed, food, the rate of consumption, body size, medicine and gender. • Any amount of alcohol in the blood can cause

the following• Slow Reflexes• Reduced ability to judge distances and speed• Increase in risk-taking behaviors• Reduced concentration and increased forgetfulness

What is a drink?

BAC and Driving

• Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving under the influence (DUI) are charges against adult drivers who have a BAC of .08% or higher. • Consequences for drunk driving• Injuries to or death of the driver and others• 17,000 people die each year from alcohol related crashes

• Arrest, jail time, court appearances, fines, police record, lawsuits

• Severely restricted driving privileges or confiscation of license.

• Higher auto insurance rates.

Illinois State Law for underage or of-age Drinking and Driving • To obtain driving relief from the penalties of a DUI or DWI ,

you MUST be 18+ years old, serve 30 days of “hard” suspension, and drive a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) equipped vehicle. Driving without a BAIID is a Class 4 felony. Penalties include a minimum of 30 days in jail (or 300 hours community service), up to three years in prison, and fines up to $25,000

If someone you’re with has been drinking, do not ride home with them! Call home or find another ride

AlcoholismAn alcoholic is an addict who is either physically

(physiologically) or psychologically dependent on alcohol.

Alcoholism

Symptoms of alcoholism include1. Craving- Feeling a strong need for alcohol to manage stress or being preoccupied thinking about it.2. Loss of Control – An inability to limit alcohol consumption3. Physical Dependence- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety.4. Tolerance- A need to drink increasingly more alcohol in order to feel its effects

Stages of alcoholism

• Stage 1- Abuse• This may begin with social drinking that is in excess. A

dependence develops and the person usually tries to justify their drinking

• Stage 2 - Dependence• The person cannot stop drinking but tries to hide the

problem. Jobs, studies or home life begins to suffer

• Stage 3- Addiction • The liver may already be damaged, so less alcohol is

needed to cause drunkenness and if the addict stopped drinking severe withdrawal symptoms would occur.

Alcoholism

• The behavior of alcoholics varies- some are aggressive while others may become withdrawn.• Alcohol abuse and dependence plays a

negative effect on society and people around the addict. • Over 15 million people are alcoholics in America• 40% of violent crimes are alcohol related.• People close to alcoholics develop mentally

unhealthy habits such as codependency.• Codependents forget their own physical and emotional

needs to focus their needs on the alcoholic.

Alcoholism cannot be cured, but it can be treated.

Recovery is the process of learning to live alcohol free.

Recovering Alcoholics must make a life-long commitment to sobriety.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?Scenarios w/ assertive refusals (think-pair-share)

Assertive Refusal is communicating your position and standing your ground while

acknowledging and respecting the rights of others.5 Methods of Refusal1. Say “NO”2. Repeat the Refusal3. Suggest an alternative4. Give a Reason- Fact, Feeling or Opinion 5. Walk Away