Chapter 10: Summative Reviwe Alcohol

10.1 The Effects of Alcohol

• Alcohol is an addictive drug found in drinks that can cause a person to act and feel differently. Depending on the amount consumed, drinking alcohol can be considered moderate drinking, binge drinking, or heavy drinking.

• An alcohol use disorder occurs when the use of alcohol causes issues that interfere with a person’s health and responsibilities. People with an alcohol addiction continue to drink despite these consequences.

• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the percentage of alcohol in a person’s blood. People with a BAC of 0.08 or above are considered intoxicated.

• The central nervous system slows down when people consume alcohol. This causes brain functions to slow, chemical changes to occur, and a decrease in inhibition.

• Most people who drink too much will experience a hangover. Symptoms may include headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and sound.

• Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency that results from too much alcohol in the bloodstream. Extreme cases can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

• Drinking alcohol long-term is associated with serious consequences, including permanent issues with learning and memory and chronic diseases such as cirrhosis.

• Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug among youth in the United States. People who drink alcohol may experience various mental, social, and legal consequences. Drinking alcohol also puts people at greater risk for accidents and other risky behaviors.

Lesson 10.2 Preventing and Treating Alcohol Use

• A person’s genetic makeup and overall mental health are individual factors that can affect a person’s alcohol use.

• Young people are more likely to experiment with alcohol use if their parents or older siblings use or abuse alcohol. Their friends and peers may also try to pressure them into trying alcohol. The messages young people see in the media, such as TV commercials, social media, or in magazines, can also influence this decision.

• Education programs can help disprove the beliefs young people have about drinking as well as build self-esteem. These programs also help them learn the physical, social, and mental consequences of alcohol use. Refusal skills can also help young people avoid drinking alcohol.

• Paying attention to mental health and managing negative feelings and stress is an important part of avoiding alcohol use.

• People with an alcohol use disorder can use detoxification, support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and self-management strategies for treatment. Enabling a person’s unhealthy behaviors by covering up their challenges will not treat the alcohol use disorder.