14 - 3 (summary) Flashcards
Although alcohol has long been a part of human celebrations,
it is a psychoactive drug capable of causing addiction.
After being absorbed into the bloodstream,
alcohol is transported throughout the body.
The liver
metabolizes alcohol as blood circulates through it.
If people drink more alcohol each hour than the body can metabolize,
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases.
The rate of alcohol metabolism depends,
on a variety of individual factors.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.
At low doses, it tends to make people feel relaxed.
At higher doses, alcohol interferes
with motor and mental functioning;
at very high doses,
alcohol poisoning, coma, and death can occur.
Effects may be increased if alcohol is combined with other drugs.
Chronic alcohol use has negative effects
on the digestive and cardiovascular systems and increases cancer risk and overall mortality.
Pregnant women who consume alcohol
risk giving birth to children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Even occasional drinking during pregnancy can cause brain injury in the fetus.
Individuals can now be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder,
a category that first appeared in the DSM-5
Alcohol use disorder can be diagnosed as
mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number of criteria an individual meets over a 12-month period.
Alcohol misuse involves
drinking in dangerous situations or drinking to a degree that causes academic, professional, interpersonal, or legal difficulties.
Severe alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is characterized by
more extensive problems with alcohol, usually involving tolerance or withdrawal.
Binge drinking is a common form of misusing alcohol that
negatively affects both drinkers and non-drinkers. For numerous reasons, college and university students may be especially prone to binge drinking.
Physical consequences of severe alcohol use disorder include the
direct effects of tolerance and withdrawal, as well as all the problems associated with chronic drinking.
Psychological problems include memory loss and additional mental disorders, such as depression.
Treatment approaches include
mutual support groups like AA, job- and school-based programs, inpatient hospital programs, and pharmacological treatments.
Helping someone who misuses alcohol means
avoiding being an enabler and obtaining information about available resources and persistently encouraging their use.
Strategies for drinking responsibly include
examining attitudes about drinking and drinking behaviour, drinking slowly, spacing drinks, eating before and while drinking, and knowing one’s limits.
Strategies for promoting responsible drinking in others include
encouraging responsible attitudes, being a responsible host, holding drinkers responsible for their actions, learning about prevention programs, and taking community action.
