ALCOHOL

1. THE HISTORY OF ALCOHOL AS A DRUG & IT’S CLASSIFICATIONS
BY: MICHELLE YOUNG
HSCER 340
PROFESSOR BAHAMAN

2.  The history of alcohol as a drug
 Classification / schedule
 Are there any medical uses?
 What are the desired / undesired effects of this drug?
 How can you tell that a person is intoxicated?
 Can the withdrawal from alcohol be dangerous?
 What are some treatment programs for alcoholics?
 What is the impact of the individual and the family?
 What is the impact on society?

3.  Alcohol is the world oldest psychoactive drug in use.
 China has uncovered beverages dating back to 7000 BC
 The workers of the pyramid buildings were given alcohol as a
reward for working
 1920 prohibition of alcohol stared and lasted till it ended
 Alcohol is continually getting refined and made stronger
 Today alcohol is legal to buy if 21 years of age
 It is also one of the main killers in teen driving accidents
 Alcohol is very addictive

4. Alcohol is a downer

5. Low usage High usage and abuse of alcohol
 Sedation
 Muscle relaxation
 Some heart benefits
 Lowered inhibition
 Wants to look cool
 Friends
 Laughing
 Happiness
 Joy
 Decreased alertness
 Exaggerated emotions
 Shakes
 Organ damage
 Cardiovascular problems
 Nervous system damage
 Gastrointestinal damage
 Reproductive damage
 Cancer
 Impaired mental and emotional issues
 Death
 Loss of friends
 Loss of family
 Loss ones self

6.  Some researchers have found that having one or two drinks a day is beneficial
to stroke victims because it keeps the platelets from clumping in the blood.
However heavy drinking does increase the chances of stroke.
 Some people use alcohol to sleep it helps fall asleep faster but also interferes
with REM sleep, and disturbances in sleep decreases alertness when awake.
 Alcohol can relax muscle tension.
 It activates gastric juices and improves stomach motility and stimulate the
appetite.
 Red wine is shown to have an anti inflammatory effect on the circulatory
system.
 Decerases chance of gall stones.
 Slows bone loss in post menopauseal women.
 Although there are some medical benefits of alcohol there are also some effects
that are also present. The addictive power of alcohol is a strong one.
 Drinking needs to be done in moderation and in little amounts.

7.  Liver damage is the most severkly affected.
 Digestive problems, gastritis, ukcers, pancretits, malnutrition,
and internal bleeding.
 Low or high blood sugar.
 Enlagrged heart

8.  Vitamin b1 definciancy causing brain damage or dementia
 Decrease sexual desire in both men and women
 Risk of breast cancer as well as mouth throat and esophageal
cancer
 Mental and psycological problems
 A chronic drinker takes 15 years
 off of their life

9.  Blurred vision
 Slurred speech
 Slow motor response
 Rambling
 Look like they are loaded
 Feeling of well-being and relaxation.
 Lower inhibitions (doing or saying things you
otherwise would not.)
 Sensation of warmth.
 Lowering of caution.
 Loss of fine motor coordination.
 Inability to drive a car or do complex tasks.
 Slurred speech; too-loud or too-fast speech.
 Lowered reasoning ability.
 Weakened balance.
 Loose muscle tone.
 Slower reaction times.
 Staggering walk or inability to walk.
 Glossy appearance to eyes.
 Blurry or double vision.
 Weakened sense of hearing.
 Loss of memory (short- and long-term.)
 Skin may be cool to the touch (but the drinker
may feel warm.)
 Heavy sweating.
 Dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness.)
 Total mental confusion.
 Slower pupil response. After more drinks:
pupils constricted.
 Slowed heart rate.
 Slowed breathing rate.
 Reduced blood pressure.
 Nausea and vomiting.
 Loss of consciousness.

10. Alcohol is one of the drugs that if
not done the correct way can kill
you medical detox is always
recommended.

11.  Mild to moderate psychological symptoms:
 Feeling of jumpiness or nervousness
 Feeling of shakiness
 Anxiety
 Irritability or easily excited
 Emotional volatility, rapid emotional changes
 Depression
 Fatigue
 Difficulty with thinking clearly
 Bad dreams
 Mild to moderate physical symptoms:
 Headache- general, pulsating
 Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face
 Nausea and Vomiting
 Loss of appetite
 Insomnia, sleeping difficulty
 Paleness
 Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
 Eyes, pupils different size (enlarged, dilated
pupils)
 Skin, clammy
 Abnormal movements
 Tremor of the hands
 Involuntary, abnormal movements of the
eyelids
 Severe symptoms:
 A state of confusion, hallucinations and
instability of the autonomic nervous system -
known as delirium tremens
 Agitation
 Fever
 Convulsions

12.  Medicines for withdrawal
 Medicines most often used to treat withdrawal symptoms during detoxification include:
 Antianxiety medicines (benzodiazepines such as diazepam), which treat withdrawal
symptoms such as delirium tremens (DTs).
 Seizure medicines to reduce or stop severe withdrawal symptoms during detoxification.
 Medicines for recovery
 Medicines used to help you stay sober during recovery include:
 Disulfiram (Antabuse), which makes you sick to your stomach when you drink.
 Naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol), which interferes with the pleasure you get from drinking.
 Acamprosate (Campral), which may reduce your craving for alcohol.
 Topiramate (Topamax), which may help treat alcohol problems.
 Counseling
 Rehabs
 AA
 Support groups
 In patient and out patient