Download Physical Effects Of Drug And Alcohol Use

Physical Effects of Drug and
Alcohol Use
Paul R. Krech & Jessie Garcia
Counseling & Consultation,
Division of Student Affairs
Arizona State University
Substance abuse and dependence
Classes
• Opioids (including such prescription pain
killers as morphine and Demerol, as well
as illegal substances such as heroin)
• Benzodiazepines (including prescription
drugs used for treating anxiety, such as
valium)
• Sedatives or "downers" (including
prescription barbiturate drugs commonly
referred to as tranquilizers)
• Stimulants or "speed" (including
prescription amphetamine drugs used
as weight loss drugs and in the
treatment of attention deficit disorder)
• Cannabinoid drugs obtained from the
hemp plant (including marijuana ["pot"]
and hashish)
• Cocaine-based drugs
• Hallucinogenic or "psychedelic" drugs
(including LSD, PCP or angel dust, and
other PCP-type drugs)
• Inhalants (including gaseous drugs
used in the medical practice of
anesthesia, as well as such common
substances as paint thinner, gasoline,
glue)
• Alcoholic drinks become a dependence
problem when continual and increased
amounts are consumed and alcoholism
results.
Problem drinking
• Research has shown that drinking
moderate amounts of alcohol can have
health benefits. For men over 40, and
women after the menopause, having one
or two small drinks a day can help prevent
coronary heart disease.
• However, it is estimated that a quarter of
men and one in six women drink enough
to put their health at risk.
How much is too much?
• AMA guidelines state that men should drink
no more than three to four units per day and
women no more than two to three units per
day.
• However, some medical experts believe
these levels are too high, and recommend
no more than three units a day for men and
two a day for women. Either way, you
should not "save up" the units over the week
and use them to binge at the weekend.
Strength and units
• The strength of an alcoholic drink is
indicated by the percentage of
alcohol by volume (ABV).
• A unit is 8 grams of pure alcohol,
regardless of the amount of liquid it’s
contained in.
• The number of units in one litre of any
drink is equal to the ABV. So a 500ml
can of 8% ABV lager contains 4 units.
• One unit is equal to:
• about half a pint (300ml) of ordinarystrength lager, beer or cider,
• a 25ml (1 fl. oz.) measure of spirit or a
small glass of fortified wine, such as
sherry or port (17.5% ABV),
• a small glass (125 ml) (5 fl. oz.) of 8%
ABV wine.
Units for women
• The reason that the limits for women
are less than for men is because the
body composition of women has less
water than men.
• Therefore, even if a man and woman
are of similar size and weight, the
woman will tend to get drunk faster.
Women can also develop liver disease
at lower levels of drinking than men.
Alcohol dependence
• 3 or more of the following symptoms:
– a strong urge to drink,
– difficulty controlling drinking,
– physical withdrawal symptoms, such as
sweating, shaking, agitation and nausea when
they try to reduce drinking,
– a growing tolerance to alcohol (needing larger
quantities to get the same effect),
– gradual neglect of other activities,
– persistent drinking even though it is obviously
causing harm.
Short-term effects
• Alcohol suppresses the part of the brain that
controls judgment, resulting in a loss of
inhibitions.
• It also affects physical co-ordination,
causing blurred vision, slurred speech and
loss of balance.
• Drinking a very large amount at one time
(binge drinking) can lead to
unconsciousness, coma, and even death.
• Vomiting while unconscious can lead to
death by asphyxiation (suffocation).
• Alcohol is implicated in a large proportion of
fatal road accidents, assaults and incidents
of domestic violence.
Long-term effects
• Alcohol can be a dangerous drug.
• Drinking too much too often will cause
physical damage, increase the risk of
getting some diseases, and make other
diseases worse.
Excessive drinking over time is
associated with:
• loss of brain cells,
• liver failure,
• irritated stomach lining and bleeding from
stomach ulcers,
• high blood pressure (which can lead to stroke),
• certain types of cancer,
• nerve damage,
• heart failure,
• epilepsy.
Excessive drinking has also been
linked to:
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•
•
•
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vitamin deficiency,
obesity,
sexual problems,
infertility,
muscle disease,
skin problems,
inflammation of the pancreas.
Drinking over-time, affects every
system in the body.
What you can do to be SAFE
• Educate yourself (Be “in the know”)
• Think “morning”
• Make informed choices
• Seek support
• If you need it, get help
• Carry the message
• Be a healthy peer model