Drug & Alcohol
Why? : Why Not? : BAC : Organizations

 

Why Do People Drink?

People drink for many different reasons. Some reasons are listed below:

Why Do People Decide Not to Drink?

What Happens When You Drink?

Roughly 20 percent of the alcohol passes directly into the blood from the stomach and from there continues to circulate throughout the body. The other 80 percent of the alcohol passes into the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the blood. Alcohol has short term effects and long term effects.

 

ALCOHOL’S IMMEDIATE EFFECTS on the...

  1. Liver The liver changes alcohol into water, carbon dioxide, and energy by a process called oxidation. The liver can only oxidize at a rate of about .5 (or 1/2) an ounce of alcohol per hour. There is no way to speed up the oxidation process. The alcohol continues to circulate throughout the body until every last drop has been oxidized.

  2. Blood Vessels When alcohol enters the blood, it causes the blood vessels to expand. The result is an increase in the flow of blood, especially to the skin. The skin may feel flushed and warm. This warmth is an illusion, though--drawing blood to the surface of the skin actually causes the body’s heat to escape by coming in contact with the cooler air of the environment.

  3. Kidneys Alcohol stimulates the pituitary gland, which then signals the kidneys to produce more urine. This is one reason a person feels dehydrated the day after heavy drinking.

  4. Stomach The alcohol molecule does not need to be digested because it is very small and water soluble. Instead of being digested, it is immediately absorbed into the blood from the stomach. If there is food in the stomach, then the absorption process is slowed down. The person will still get drunk, though, if he/she drinks too much. Alcohol increases the flow of gastric juices from the stomach lining. Larger amounts of alcohol draw out a larger flow of these high-acid juices, causing the stomach lining to become irritated. Repeated irritation will lead to an open sore, or what’s called an ulcer.

  5. Behavior Some people may find a drunk person’s behavior amusing. Unfortunately and VERY sadly, all too often a drunk person can become aggressive, obnoxious, and even violent. Drunk people also have a more difficult time recognizing when they are in dangerous situations and have more problems getting out of them safely. Some sad statistics: alcohol is a factor in up to 65 percent of all cases of domestic violence, in at least 45 percent of all cases of spousal abuse, in at least 49 percent of all incidents of child abuse, in up to 90 percent of all rapes, and in at least 70 percent of all murders. On average, an alcoholic’s life span is shortened by 10-12 years. Isn’t this horrible?

Beer

ALCOHOL’S LONG-TERM EFFECTS on...

  1. Tolerance Tolerance is a condition where the body becomes used to the effects of a drug. As you drink more often, you build up a tolerance--meaning that you have to drink more alcohol than you had to before in order for you to get drunk. People who have built up a high tolerance can drink lots of alcohol without seeming to be intoxicated. On the surface, the person may appear to function properly, but he is doing serious internal damage that may or may not be repairable. The person might even wind up in the hospital. Then the individual will go through withdrawal--the physical reaction that occurs when a person stops taking a drug or medicine that their body has grown dependent on. Symptoms of withdrawal include jumpiness, sleep deprivation, sweating, loss of appetite, tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations.

  2. Dependence A person’s body can become dependent on alcohol. When a person’s body develops a chemical need for a drug or a medicine, their body is said to have a physiological dependence. A person whose body is physiologically dependent on alcohol will be characterized by tolerance (they can drink a lot without appearing drunk) and withdrawal, if they try to stop drinking. Dependence and tolerance go hand in hand. A person who is physiologically dependent on alcohol will drink more and more to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal--which in turn will increase their tolerance level.

  3. Liver Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fats, causing fats to build up in the liver in a condition known as fatty liver. The liver cells can no longer perform their job properly. It takes a longer time for old liver cells to be replaced. The fat buildup reduces oxygen and blood flow in the liver cells, resulting in cell death. This condition is reversible--drinking must stop first, though. Heavy alcohol use destroys liver tissue, which is then replaced with useless scar tissue in a condition known as cirrhosis. There are no blood vessels in scar tissue to allow blood flow. The liver no longer works as well.

  4. Brain Damage Major brain damage is the result of long-term, excessive alcohol usage. Brain cells are destroyed even in moderate drinking, though. Intellectual abilities are often negatively affected and memory and problem solving abilities suffer. People have been sent to mental institutions due to severe brain damage.

What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?

Blood alcohol concentration is the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood. This value is expressed in percentages. Factors affecting the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood include the following:

  1. gender of drinker (male or female)

  2. the person’s metabolism

  3. the amount of alcohol a person consumes (this is different from the number of drinks. Beer is 4-6 percent alcohol; wine is 12-20 percent, and liquor is 40-50 percent alcohol. Amount of alcohol in 12 ounces of beer=5 ounces of wine=1.5 ounces of liquor)

  4. whether or not there is food in the person’s stomach and how much food there is

  5. how much the person weighs

  6. how much time passes between the BAC test and when the person had their last drink

In most states, driving while intoxicated is defined as driving with a BAC of at least 0.1 percent.

Drinking and Driving Don’t Mix

Are you going to trust somebody who can hardly walk a straight line to drive you home safely? We didn’t think so! Driving messes up the drinker’s coordination and slows down reaction time. Alcohol makes it more difficult to judge distances and speeds. Don’t let anybody else drink and drive either. Do whatever it takes to keep them off the road--you’ll probably be saving their lives and the lives of other people. You can call the person’s parents, take away the person’s keys, help the person get a cab and give them fare to get home, call a safe-rides service, walk the person home, help them find a designated driver, or ask the host’s family to let the person spend the night.

What is a hangover?

If you drink lots of alcohol at a party one night, you may have a hangover the next morning. The symptoms of a hangover could include a slight upset stomach, severe headaches, mild nausea, and generally feeling lousy. Time heals all wounds--or at least most hangovers. There don’t seem to be any more proven cures.

What is a blackout?

People who drink often mention that they "blacked out" while being drunk. This means that they cannot remember what happened while they were wasted! Pretty scary, huh? Drunk people often wind up in bed with people they don’t even know. Just about anybody could take advantage of a drunk person. The drunk person could become the victim of a violent crime and NOT EVEN REMEMBER IT. Drunk people may also say or do other things that they will regret later on when they are sober.

What should I say when people pressure me to drink and I don’t want to?

There are many different ways to say no--the easiest is probably a simple, direct "No Thanks." You can offer a reason if you want, although you don’t need to. Feel free to pick a reason from the section above labeled "Why Do People Decide Not To Drink?" or you may want to use a reason of your own. Repeat your refusal as often as necessary and always say no like you mean it. If you whisper or mumble "I don’t think so" and you’re making a silly face while avoiding eye contact, you may as well be wearing a sign on your head that says "Just Convince Me A Little." Your body language MUST agree with your verbal language-- this means using a serious expression, a strong, confident voice to clearly say "NO," shaking your head, and walking or turning away to communicate refusal.

You can also suggest another activity. A "Why don’t we go over to my house and get drunk?" can be answered with a swift "Why don’t we go over to my house and water my marvelous collection of Chia pets? I have one that looks like my sister, you know," or whatever it is that kids do for fun where you live. When your friend accepts your gracious invitation, not only will you have bought yourself hours of fun and fertilizer, but you’ll have avoided an uncomfortable situation, too!

You can practice different ways of saying no to alcohol with your parents, (although you’re probably very good at telling them no already!), a friend, or even on your dog or stuffed animals--but a live person is preferred.

If your so-called friends don’t respect your decision not to drink alcohol and continue to pressure or even harass you about it, then you better find yourself some new friends who can accept you just the way you are.

How do I know if I’m an alcoholic? How do I get help?

If you or somebody you know fits into any of the categories below, please get help from a trusted adult:

  1. Starts to drink at the first sign of a tense situation

  2. Cannot stop drinking once they have started

  3. Drinks alone

  4. Believes that you need to drink to have fun

  5. Feels scared, alone, miserable, unhappy, or depressed

  6. Has problems at work or school due to alcohol

Alcoholics generally start out as social drinkers--meaning that they drink at parties to unwind or relieve stress. Next the person starts to drink to manage stress and their body begins to crave the alcohol. People in these early stages will usually claim that they don’t have any problems. In the second stage of alcoholism, alcohol starts to take over a person’s life--it interferes with relationships and work. The person can no longer stop drinking without help, will probably still deny having a problem with alcohol, and may start drinking in secret. Their body has developed a tolerance and it takes more alcohol to achieve the same effects. The person may frequently skip work or school and stop being interested in things they used to enjoy. Their new friends are likely to be alcoholics, too. Alcohol has become the centerpiece of this person’s life. Alcoholism is a disease. In the last and worst stages, it is frighteningly apparent that the person has a drinking problem. The problem can no longer be denied. The person cannot keep their alcoholism a secret because the alcohol has become their ever-present companion. Alcoholics in this stage will often be malnourished because they have ignored their body’s nutritional needs and focused all their energy into getting more alcohol. The body is now addicted to alcohol. If the person tries to stop drinking, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal associated with alcoholism. These are called delirium tremens and require immediate medical attention. People suffering from delirium tremens will experience hot and/or cold flashes, tremors, nightmares, hallucinations, and fear or suspicion of people and animals. There is no cure for alcoholism--which is why you may here people refer to themselves as "recovering alcoholics." Once a "recovering alcoholic" starts drinking again, they start back down the cycle of alcoholism. Alcoholism can certainly be treated. The main goal in going through treatment is to prevent alcohol from taking control of a person’s life and to help people stop or control how much alcohol they drink. There are support groups and programs for alcoholics and the friends and families of alcoholics, too. Children raised in families where one parent or both parents are alcoholics often grow up to become alcoholics themselves, but there are also many children who carry horrible memories as they grow into adults of what it was like to grow up in a house with an alcoholic. These people will hopefully decide that they don’t want to raise their own children in such an environment. Deciding not to become an alcoholic like their parents is the greatest decision these kids can make if they want to stop the vicious cycle of alcoholism.

The first steps in recovery are to realize that there is a problem with alcohol and to make a decision to give it up. Talk to a parent, teacher, or school counselor if you are afraid that you or somebody you may know has a problem with alcohol. There are different types of alcohol and drug treatment centers that are available to you: Detox Units, Inpatient or Residential Treatment Centers, Outpatient Treatment Centers, and Halfway Houses. Therapy, Continuing Programs (which get the whole family involved in the recovery process through individual and group counseling plus family system therapy), and Support Groups can help make it easier for a recovering alcoholic to start over. Check your local white or yellow pages under the following listings:

  1. Hospitals
  2. City/Local Health Departments
  3. Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon/Alateen
  4. Local emergency health clinics (some are open 24 hours), or community treatment services
Drinks

Organizations
You can also call or write to organizations listed below for help or more information

(ACA/ACoA)

P.O. Box 3216

Torrance, CA 90510

or Call at 310-534-1815

Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

P.O. Box 862

Midtown Station

New York, NY 10018-0862

or Call at 1-800-356-9996 (Literature)

1-800-344-2666 (Meeting Referral)

World Services, Inc.

475 Riverside Drive

New York, NY 10115

or Call at 212-870-3400 (Literature)

212-647-1680 (Meeting Referral)

1-800-662-HELP or

1-800-662-ALCOHOL

555 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10022

or Call at 212-754-0656 or 800-359-COAF

Pleasant Valley Road

P.O. Box 176

Center City, MN 55012-0176

or Call at 1-800-328-9000

511 E. John Carpenter Freeway

Suite 700

Irving, TX 75062

or Call at 214-744-6233

Victim Hotline: 800-438-6233 (GET MADD)

11426 Rockville Pike, Suite 301

Rockville, MD 20852

or Call at 301-468-0985

P.O. Box 2345

Rockville, MD 20847-2345

or Call at 1-800-729-6686

and Drug Dependence

12 West 21st Street, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10010

or Call at1-800-NCA-CALL

(will refer you to your local

treatment information center)

514 10th Street, NW, Ste. 400

Washington, DC 20004

202-682-7814

P. O. Box 800

Lotus, CA 95651

or Call at 1-800-303-CURE

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