Alcohol & Drugs

Who drinks?

• Children from wealthy families – at greater risk than middle class

• College graduates– Less likely to drink heavily

• (Compared to H.S. dropouts)

• High school dropouts– Heavy & problem drinkers

Effects

• Body weight is a factor

• Women’s stomachs absorb alcohol more efficiently = higher blood alcohol levels with less drinking

Problems with alcohol

• Tolerance

• Dependence

• Withdrawal

• Addiction

Tolerance

• More drug to get same effect

Dependence

• Body becomes dependent on drug for normal functioning

• Removal = withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal

• The “shakes”– DT’s = Delirium tremens

• Hallucinations

• Disorientation

• Convulsions

Alcohol & pregnancy

• Decrease in fertility = infertility

• Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

• Stillbirths

• Miscarriage– Even with light to moderate drinking

Indirect hazards

• Accidents

• Aggressive behavior

• Suicidal ideas and attempts

• Unprotected sex

• Forced sexual experience

Why do people drink?

• Environment

• Genetics– Particularly in men

Alcohol dependency syndrome

• Impaired control

• Drink-seeking behavior

• Awareness of the compulsion to drink

• Withdrawal symptoms– Drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms

• Negative reinforcement

Change without therapy

• Spontaneous remission– Quitting without a formal cessation

program

Relapse

• About = Smoking, opiate (drug) use

Opiate drugs (e.g. Heroin)

• Tolerance and dependence quickly– As little as 24 hours