Chapter 15 Section 3 Flashcards
Effects of long-term alcohol abuse?
- harm the brain, liver, heart, and digestive system
- during pregnancy: harm to baby
what can loss of brain cells do?
permanently changes that impair memory, ability to concentrate, and ability to make sound judgments
effects of teenage drinkers?
suffer long-term learning and memory problems
name for a group of birth defects caused by the effects of alcohol on an unborn child
fetal alcohol syndrome
effects of fetal alcohol syndrome
- heart defects
- malformed faces
- delayed growth
- poor motor development
- mental retardation
what is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation int he US?
drinking during pregnancy
how does alcohol cause liver problems?
interferes liver’s ability to metabolize (BREAK DOWN FATS) resulting in blocking the flow of blood to liver
cirrhosis
fat-filled liver cells die, leaving behind useless scar tissue; may lead to liver failure and death
Besides cirrhosis, what other liver disease can heavy drinkers have?
alcohol hepatitis; an inflammation of the liver caused by the toxic effects of alcohol, can cause drinker to die
what is the leading cause of death in the US?
heart disease (contributed by excessive drinking)
What causes heart disease through alcohol?
increased blood pressure and heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and buildup of fatty deposits in heart muscle
Irritation of digestive system as a result of alcohol can create risks in:
cancers of the mouth, tongue, esophagus, stomach
- recurring diarrhea
- chronic indigestion, heartburn, ulcers
people who can no longer control their use of alcohol suffer from this disease
alcoholism
with repeated use of alcohol, drinkers develop:
tolerance
with increasing tolerance, the brain will develop:
dependence (Brain develops a chemical need for alcohol and can’t function normally without it)
term for drinker no longer having control over his/her drinking
addiction
characterstics of alcohol addiction
craving/strong emotional need for alcohol
scientists found that during addiction, the structure and chemistry of brain changes. therefore, addiction is a :::
disease of the brain
who is more at risk in alcoholism?
alcoholism is 4-5 times more commmon among children of alcoholics BC of a combo of influenced genetics and environmental factors; underage drinking/attitude/availability of alcohol increases risk
Stages of alcoholism
- problem drinking
- absolute dependence
- late stage of alcoholism
social drinker
someone who occasionally drinks drinks small amounts with meals, parties, special occasions (someone who relieves stress with alcohol will become alcoholic)
Absolute dependence
alcohol dominates drinker’s life and strains relationships
late stage of alcoholism
alcoholics rapidly lose their mental, emotional, and physical health b/c they’re isolated form society
serious health problems: malnutrition, liver and brain damage, cancer, lung disease, and heart disease
REVERSE TOLERANCE
late stage of alcoholism
condition in which less and less alcohol causes intoxication
Alcohol-related crimes, medical expenses, injuries, lost productivity on the job, and treatment programs cost US between ___ and ___ dollars annually
100 and 200 billion
alcohol is responsible for how many deaths in a year?
150,000
most are b’c of DUI and motor vehicle crashes
how many americans grow up in an alcoholic family?
1 out of every 8
3 stages in an alcoholic’s recovery
- acknowledge problem
- detoxification
- rehabilitation
detoxification
removing all alchol from a person’s body (can suffer from withdrawal, group of symptoms that occur when a dependent person stops taking a drug)
- withdrawal symptoms last 3-7 days
name some withdrawal symptoms
- shakiness
- sleep problems
- irritability
- rapid heartbeat
- sweating
- see, smell, feel imaginary objects
rehabilitation
process of learning to cope with everyday living without alcohol (counseling)
support group recovering alcoholics offering encouragement and support to help other alcoholics stop drinking
alcoholics anonymous (AA)
2 other groups designed to help friends and family members of alcoholics
Al-Anon and Alateen
this support gropu helps adult friends and family members learn how they can help in the alcoholi’cs recovery process
Al-Anon
this group provides help for teenagers living with alcoholics
Alateen