Unit 11 Alcohol Flashcards
define alcoholic beverages.
In Canada, a beverage containing 1.1% or more alcohol by volume is considered an alcoholic beverage.
Alcoholic beverages come in three basic types: beer, wine, and distilled liquor or spirits, which contain 40% alcohol.
Outline the physiological effects of alcohol on absorption, metabolism, and blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Absorption: Alcohol is absorbed primarily in the stomach and small intestine.
- Metabolism: The liver processes alcohol at a consistent rate, typically about one standard drink per hour.
- Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC): BAC measures alcohol level in the blood, influencing impairment.
Outline the behavioral effects of alcohol
- Immediate Effects: Alcohol can lead to relaxation, lowered inhibitions, impaired judgment, and loss of coordination.
- Long-Term Effects: Excessive alcohol use can lead to addiction, liver damage, cardiovascular issues, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of accidents and injuries.
describe the immediate and the long-term effects of (excessive) alcohol consumption.
- Immediate: Slurred speech, memory blackouts, impaired motor skills, increased risk of accidents.
- Long-Term: Liver cirrhosis, alcohol use disorder (alcoholism), brain damage, heart problems, increased cancer risk (e.g., liver, throat, mouth).
describe the symptoms and underlying causes of alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, and alcoholism
Alcohol Abuse:
- Symptoms: Repeated harmful consequences due to drinking, neglecting responsibilities, legal issues, continued use despite problems.
- Underlying Causes: Social pressure, stress, coping mechanisms, experimentation.
Alcohol Dependence:
- Symptoms: Tolerance (needing more for the same effect), withdrawal symptoms, inability to control consumption, prioritizing drinking over other activities.
- Underlying Causes: Genetic predisposition, biochemical factors, environmental influences.
Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder):
- Symptoms: Compulsive alcohol use, loss of control, neglecting personal and professional life, unsuccessful attempts to cut down.
- Underlying Causes: Genetic susceptibility, psychological factors, environment, early alcohol exposure.
outline methods used in treating alcoholism
Methods for Treating Alcoholism:
- Detoxification: Medically supervised withdrawal to manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Behavioral Therapies: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy to change drinking behavior.
- Medications: Disulfiram, naltrexone, acamprosate to reduce cravings and deter drinking.
- Support Groups: Participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or similar programs.
- Counseling: Individual and group counseling to address underlying psychological factors.
explain whether or not alcoholism can be cured.
Alcoholism Cure:
Alcoholism is considered a chronic condition. While recovery is possible with appropriate treatment, it’s not considered fully curable. Successful management often involves long-term strategies to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse.
discuss laws, policies, and public attitudes regarding the use and abuse of alcohol.
initiatives and measures that will prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms.
- instituting a minimum legal drinking age;
- restricted hours and days of selling alcohol;
- public monopolies on the production and/or distribution of alcohol (each province and territory has established a liquor authority responsible for the control and sale of alcohol);
- outlet density restrictions (e.g., zoning laws to limit the clustering of retail alcohol outlets in a particular area);
- alcohol taxes (e.g., federal excise tax; provincial markups and environmental taxes; federal and provincial sales taxes);
- sobriety check points (random or selective testing of drivers at roadside checkpoints);
- lowered BAC limits (in Canada, 0.08 [Criminal Code] and lower in most provinces (0.05 range);
- administrative license suspension (in Canada, suspension may be imposed administratively for a period ranging from 12 hours to 90 days);
- graduated licensing for novice drivers (in Canada, this policy is established in all provinces and territories, except Prince Edward Island and Nunavut);
- early and brief interventions for hazardous drinkers to motivate high-risk drinkers to moderate their use of alcohol.
discuss sex differences with respect to alcohol use and abuse.
- Patterns: Men tend to drink more frequently and heavily than women.
- Metabolism: Women generally metabolize alcohol slower due to lower body water content and enzyme differences.
- Vulnerability: Women are often more susceptible to alcohol-related health issues and cognitive impairment.
- Reasons: Men may drink for social reasons, while women may drink to cope with stress or emotions.
- Consequences: Women can experience greater physical harm from alcohol, and alcohol use during pregnancy poses unique risks.
