Alcohol Abuse

1
Alcohol Abuse

• By Renee Percoski
• An interview with Dr. Hendrickson
• (St. Marys Hospital)

2
Signs

• Non-functional
• Sitting or Laying down
• Starring
• Wants to sleep
• Totally out of character
• Unable to awaken
• The is no quick fix to extract undigested
  unabsorbed alcohol.

3
Initial Treatment

• Patients go directly to emergency room
• Patients are typically brought in by family or
  police
• Upon arrival the nurse evaluates the patient
• Doctors need parental consent unless it is an
  emergency

4
Intentional Overdose

• If considered a suicidal gesture/attempt
• Patient is evaluated psychiatrically
• Patient is admitted to the psychiatry department
• If blood pressure is low the heart rate is fast
  they go to the hospital
• Step 1 Tube inserted in the nose down into the
  stomach to extract contents
• Step 2 Given solution (a.k.a. charcoal) to
  remove other liquids
• If not stable but considered suicidal the patient
  is admitted to intensive care.
• After stable the patient starts on therapy

5
Accidental Overdose

• Patients are sent to the Detox Center
• Once detoxed patients are release to home
• Meds may be prescribed
• Recovery and Counseling takes a lot of time

6
Medications

• Deterrents are used to make drinkers sick when
  consuming alcohol
• Helps alcoholics heal
• Keys to staying alcohol free
• Constant surveillance
• Treat like a chronic disease

7
High Risk Behaviors

• Drinking driving
• Reduces the ability to respond quickly
• Slows down body functions
• Using Alcohol as a sedative
• Daily drinkers (systems adjust to the alcohol)
• Abstinence causes a delirious stage
• May appear to be out of control
• Heart rate goes up, Blood pressure rises, etc.

8
Ups and Downs

• Alcohol is a depressant (downer)
• Takes away worries
• Drugs appears an upper/hyper due to decreased
  inhibitions
• The thrill stimulates drinking in teens
• Problems for all age groups
• Drug abuse is as serious as diabetes other
  diseases

9
Bad Effects

• The person becomes addicted
• Drinking destroys lives
• Experimenting is dangerous
• Money behind drugs
• Addicts come back for more
• Financial problems
• No economic class easy access to drugs and
  alcohol

10
Programs

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Helps individuals stay sober
• Spiritual/Religious component
• Very successful
• New Start (Meriter Hospital)
• AODA program
• Locations
• Stoughton
• Waukesha
• Others
• Recovery Time Varies (1 month, 6 weeks, or
  longer)