alcohol awareness Flashcards
What are recommendations by NICE?
All health and social care community and voluntary sector professionals in both NHS and non NHS settings should take action to screen and provide advice on alcohol use
What are ABIs?
Alcohol Brief Interventions Short conversation Support individuals to change Dependent drinkers + risky/high risk drinking Cutting down can change risk
What is alcohol?
Drug Depressant (downer)
How does drinking water affect alcohol?
Avoids hangover
Slows down absorption of alcohol through stomach lining
What helps to sober up a person?
Time
Why do people drink?
Relax Feel confident Feel less lonely Have fun w friends Help cope w depression, stress, anxiety, guilt and anger
What is the impact of alcohol on society?
Accidents- injury/death
Antisocial behaviour- offences, arrests, criminal records
Family problems- arguments/violence, financial problems, impact on children
Poor decisions- unplanned sex etc
Housing problems- prioritise alcohol-> homeless
Work problems- sickness, absenteeism, accidents, low productivity
When is drinking a problem?
Drinking that causes problems in any area of their life is problematic
How does alcohol affect health?
Mouth and throat- tooth decay/erosion (less saliva + sugar + acid)
Oesophagus- gastric reflux-> reflux oesophagitis-> ulcer-> tear in mucous lining
Stomach- more acid-> pain-> vomiting, diarrhoea, ulcers, bleeding
Brain- takes 5 mins to reach and 10 mins to affect, slowed reactions, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty coordinating, poor decision making, memory loss, loss of inhibitions, decrease in anxiety
Heart- temp increase in BP and HR as alcohol= vasodilator, relaxed vessels allow more blood flow so heart compensates w BP
Liver- if has to break down too much alcohol (toxin), other functions affected (1hr to process one unit)
Kidneys and bladder- diuretic so pee more-> dehydration-> dry mouth, headache, nausea, fatigue
Large intestine- speed up/slow down bowel movement, affect gut bacteria-> inflammation, diarrhoea, constipation
How are automatic functions affected by high levels of alcohol in a short period?
Unable to remove quickly enough
Blackouts and severe impairment
High risk of alcohol poisoning
Automatic functions shut down eg. Gag reflex
What are long term health issues of alcohol?
Heart- alcohol cardiac myopathy -> heart attacks and stroke
Small intestine- prevents nutrient absorption, damages lining-> toxins/waste enter bloodstream
Cancer- breast, bowel, mouth, throat, liver
Brain- frontal lobe damage, dementia, alcohol amnesic syndrome, Wernicke-Korsakoffs Syndrome
Skin- dehydration, wrinkles, flushing, rosacea
Liver- liver cirrhosis
How does alcohol cause cancer?
Liver converts alcohol into acetaldehyde which damages cells and stops their repair
It changes hormones (oestrogen, insulin)
Cels divide more often which raises chance of cancer
How is mouth and throat cancer caused by alcohol?
Alcohol broken down by mouth bacteria into acetaldehyde
Skin of mouth affected to allow tobacco toxins to pass though easily
How does alcohol affect fertility and pregnancy?
Women less fertile Lower male testosterone levels Affects sperm quality/quantity Reduces libido and causes impotence Increased risk of still birth/miscarriage Low birth weight Premature birth Foetal alcohol syndrome disorder
How does alcohol affect weight?
Stops body processing fat because liver prioritises processing alcohol
Insulin increase leading to low blood sugar- hunger
Poor food choices
Alcohol= high in carbs/calories
How much sugar in teaspoons is in alcohol?
Lager= 3+ Cider= 5+ Spirits= 0-1/2 Wine= 1/2-4 Whisky and coke= 5
How does alcohol affect mental health?
Anxiety/stress Drink alcohol Altered brain chem Increased cortisol, depleted serotonin More anxiety/stress
What happens if you mix alcohol with antidepressants?
Don’t work properly
Worsens side effects
Dangerous reactions
Drowsiness, confusion, loss of coordination
What is alcohol misuse?
Above 14 units a week
Negative effects w drinking
Fail to do what was expected of them
What is alcohol dependency?
Strong, uncontrollable desire to drink
Building up a tolerance
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (shakes, sweats, anxiety, seizures, fits, hallucinations, death)
Stopping suddenly can kill you
What is binge drinking?
Lots of alcohol in short time
Drinking to get drunk
8 units a session- man
6 units a session- woman
Accidents, misjudging risky situations, losing self control, unprotected sex, violence
What are key messages?
Limit total amount of alcohol a session
Drink more slowly, alternate w food/water
Avoid risky situations and stay w people you can trust
How is someone’s alcohol risk level calculated?
Calculate units- apps, tools (wheels, drink diaries)
Use audit tool to assess risk- qs on amount and frequency, dependence and problems caused AUDIT PC or AUDIT C
What are alcohol risk levels?
Low- up to 14
Increasing- 15-34 (woman) 15-49 (man)
High- 35+ (woman) 50+ (man)
What are tips for cutting down when at home?
Don’t buy it Buy lower strength ABV Smaller glasses Measure your drink Consider dinner/weekend only Start drinking later in day
What are tips for cutting down when out?
Don’t do pre drinking Sip drinks Pace drinking Alternate w non alcohol drinks Avoid rounds Avoid heavy drinkers
What are the benefits of cutting down?
Liver relief Weight loss No hangovers More money Less anxious Improved health Better quality relationships
What are alternative ways of coping?
Eat healthier Exercise Try a new recipe Go bike riding Call a friend Have a laugh Read a book
What are the 4 As?
Ask
Assess
Advise
Assist
What might referrals include?
Allocated to key worker- assessment, care plan, one to one sessions, group work, advice and self help, health improvement team, breakfast clubs, art groups, nature recovery, gardening, exercise, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, counselling, education
What other support is there?
Adults affected by another’s substance use
Ex military
