Using Alcohol & Using Alcohol & Other DrugsOther DrugsHealth PsychologyHealth Psychology

PSCY 4080PSCY 4080

Amber M. Henslee, M.S.Amber M. Henslee, M.S.

PrevalencePrevalence Binge = five+ drinks on the same Binge = five+ drinks on the same

______________ at least once per month at least once per month• 20.6%20.6%

Heavy = more than 14 drinks/week Heavy = more than 14 drinks/week for men (or 7+ for women)for men (or 7+ for women)• 5.6%5.6%

PrevalencePrevalence Weschler et al. @ Harvard College Weschler et al. @ Harvard College

Alcohol Study – 1993, ’97, ‘99Alcohol Study – 1993, ’97, ‘99• Gender specific definition for binge Gender specific definition for binge

drinkingdrinking• The The ________ measure measure

College Alcohol Study (1999)College Alcohol Study (1999) Frequent bingers = 23% (slight rise Frequent bingers = 23% (slight rise

from 20%)from 20%)• 3+ binges in past 2 weeks3+ binges in past 2 weeks

Occasional bingers = 21%Occasional bingers = 21%• 1-2 binges in past 2 weeks1-2 binges in past 2 weeks

Nonbingers=37% & Abstainers=19%Nonbingers=37% & Abstainers=19%

Class ParticipationClass Participation

AUDIT = AUDIT = ______________________________________ • Not a diagnostic toolNot a diagnostic tool• Only a screening measureOnly a screening measure

Drug History SurveyDrug History Survey

Effects of Alcohol & DrugsEffects of Alcohol & Drugs Tolerance - w/ continued use more is Tolerance - w/ continued use more is

needed to produce the same effectneeded to produce the same effect Withdrawal - physiological reaction to Withdrawal - physiological reaction to

____________________ use use Dependence – a physiological Dependence – a physiological

necessity for functioningnecessity for functioning

More on ToleranceMore on Tolerance Longtime heroin users, for instance, Longtime heroin users, for instance,

have been observed to require ten have been observed to require ten thousand times the dose they thousand times the dose they injected when they began their habit. injected when they began their habit. Their brains adapt to heroin to such Their brains adapt to heroin to such an extent that they inject themselves an extent that they inject themselves with quantities of this narcotic that with quantities of this narcotic that could kill a person not tolerant to could kill a person not tolerant to heroin.heroin.

AbuseAbuse A A __________________ pattern of substance use pattern of substance use

manifested by recurrent and manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of the related to the repeated use of the substance.substance.

AbuseAbuse

There may be failure to fulfill major There may be failure to fulfill major role obligations, repeated use in role obligations, repeated use in situations in which it is physically situations in which it is physically hazardous, multiple legal problems, hazardous, multiple legal problems, and recurrent social and and recurrent social and interpersonal problems.interpersonal problems.

DependenceDependence A cluster of cognitive, behavioral, A cluster of cognitive, behavioral,

and physiological symptoms and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual indicating that the individual continues use of the substance continues use of the substance despite despite ________________ substance-related substance-related problems.problems.

DependenceDependence

There is a pattern of repeated There is a pattern of repeated ________________________ that usually results in that usually results in tolerance, withdrawal, and tolerance, withdrawal, and compulsive drug taking.compulsive drug taking.

HazardsHazards

DirectDirect• PhysicalPhysical• MentalMental• PregnancyPregnancy

IndirectIndirect• Unintentional Unintentional

injuryinjury• MVAsMVAs• Aggressive bxAggressive bx• ______________________

Second-Hand Effects of AlcoholSecond-Hand Effects of Alcohol Wechsler and Dowdall (1998) Wechsler and Dowdall (1998)

• Having study time or sleep interrupted - Having study time or sleep interrupted - 60.6%60.6%

• Having to take care of a drunken Having to take care of a drunken student - 50.2%student - 50.2%

• Being insulted or humiliated - 28.6%Being insulted or humiliated - 28.6%

Benefits of Alcohol UseBenefits of Alcohol Use For LIGHT –MODERATE drinkersFor LIGHT –MODERATE drinkers Lower risk of heart diseaseLower risk of heart disease Strokes?Strokes?

• Less risk of ischemic strokeLess risk of ischemic stroke Restriction of blood supplyRestriction of blood supply

• More risk of More risk of ______________________ stroke stroke Rupture of blood vesselRupture of blood vessel