Master Sgt. Doug OswaldAssistant Drug Demand Reduction Administrator

Drug Abuse Education CourseDrug Abuse Education Course

AlcoholAlcohol

AlcoholAlcohol: : Quick FactsQuick Facts

The drug of choice in our society, and The drug of choice in our society, and most widely used drug in the U.S.most widely used drug in the U.S.

51.8% of the population are 51.8% of the population are current current usersusers..

EthanolEthanol is the active ingredient in all is the active ingredient in all forms of alcoholic beverages and is a forms of alcoholic beverages and is a central nervous system depressant.central nervous system depressant.

Alcohol consumption is Alcohol consumption is illegalillegal for those for those under the legal age limit of 21.under the legal age limit of 21.

AlcoholAlcohol: : Quick FactsQuick Facts

Peer pressurePeer pressure and depression are and depression are often cited as reasons for abuse.often cited as reasons for abuse.

42% of all traffic fatalities are alcohol 42% of all traffic fatalities are alcohol related.related.

13% of Americans drove under the 13% of Americans drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in influence of alcohol at least once in the past year.the past year.

Males: 58.1%Males: 58.1% Females: 45.9%Females: 45.9%

Age 12-13: 4.2%Age 12-13: 4.2% Age 14-15: 15.1Age 14-15: 15.1 Age 16-17: 30.1Age 16-17: 30.1 Age 18-20: 51.1%Age 18-20: 51.1% Age 21-25: 67.4%Age 21-25: 67.4% Age 26 and up: 50.4%Age 26 and up: 50.4%

High School Drop-out: 36.7%High School Drop-out: 36.7% High School Graduate: 53.2%High School Graduate: 53.2% Some College: 64.4%Some College: 64.4% College Graduate: 69.4%College Graduate: 69.4%

Employed full-time: 57.3%Employed full-time: 57.3% Employed part-time: 51.1%Employed part-time: 51.1% Unemployed: 49.1%Unemployed: 49.1%

AlcoholAlcohol: : Quick FactsQuick Facts

AlcoholAlcohol: : Quick FactsQuick Facts

A 12 ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, a A 12 ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, a glass of wine and shot of distilled spirits glass of wine and shot of distilled spirits each contain about the same amount of each contain about the same amount of alcohol – 1/2 ounce.alcohol – 1/2 ounce.

It takes about an hour to metabolize 1/2 It takes about an hour to metabolize 1/2 ounce of alcohol.ounce of alcohol.

Tolerance develops quickly and large Tolerance develops quickly and large doses can result in brain damage and doses can result in brain damage and death.death.

.05.05 == Lightheadedness, giddiness, lowered inhibitions, Lightheadedness, giddiness, lowered inhibitions, impaired coordination and judgment. impaired coordination and judgment.

.10.10 = Deterioration of motor skills and loss of = Deterioration of motor skills and loss of coordination and reaction time.coordination and reaction time.

.15.15 = Impairment of balance and movement. = Impairment of balance and movement. .20.20 = Depression of motor skills and sensory functions. = Depression of motor skills and sensory functions. .30.30 = Severe confusion and stuporousness. = Severe confusion and stuporousness. .40.40 = Unconscious, skin becomes sweaty and clammy. = Unconscious, skin becomes sweaty and clammy. .45.45 = Circulation and respiration functions become = Circulation and respiration functions become

depressed and possibly stop.depressed and possibly stop. .50.50 = Near death. = Near death.

AlcoholAlcohol: : Blood Alcohol Blood Alcohol LevelLevel

Binge drinking is having five or more Binge drinking is having five or more drinks without rest, at least once in the drinks without rest, at least once in the past month.past month.

About 55 million Americans, 22.7%, are About 55 million Americans, 22.7%, are considered to be binge drinkers.considered to be binge drinkers.

Heavy drinking is having 5 or more drinks Heavy drinking is having 5 or more drinks without rest, five or more days in the past without rest, five or more days in the past month.month.

About 16 million Americans, 6.6%, are About 16 million Americans, 6.6%, are considered to be heavy drinkers.considered to be heavy drinkers.

AlcoholAlcohol: : Binge DrinkingBinge Drinking

32% of heavy drinkers use illicit drugs.32% of heavy drinkers use illicit drugs. 3.5% of non-drinkers use illicit drugs.3.5% of non-drinkers use illicit drugs. 60.6% of heavy drinkers smoke.60.6% of heavy drinkers smoke. 20.4% of non-binge drinkers smoke.20.4% of non-binge drinkers smoke. 16.7% of non-drinkers smoke.16.7% of non-drinkers smoke.

AlcoholAlcohol: : Gateway Drug?Gateway Drug?

AlcoholAlcohol: : effects on the effects on the bodybody Dulls painDulls pain Disrupts visionDisrupts vision Interferes with Interferes with

sleepsleep Affects sexual Affects sexual

functionsfunctions Interacts with other Interacts with other

drugsdrugs

Severe damage to Severe damage to developing developing fetusfetus

In large doses, In large doses, causes causes brainbrain paralysis that can paralysis that can shut down the shut down the heart heart and and lungslungs

Damages the Damages the liverliver