Physical Effects of Drug and Alcohol Use

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Physical Effects of Drug and Alcohol Use

• Paul R. Krech Jessie Garcia
• Counseling Consultation,
• Division of Student Affairs
• Arizona State University

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Substance abuse and dependence
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Classes

• Opioids (including such prescription pain killers
  as morphine and Demerol, as well as illegal
  substances such as heroin)
• Benzodiazepines (including prescription drugs
  used for treating anxiety, such as valium)
• Sedatives or "downers" (including prescription
  barbiturate drugs commonly referred to as
  tranquilizers)

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• Stimulants or "speed" (including prescription
  amphetamine drugs used as weight loss drugs and
  in the treatment of attention deficit disorder)
• Cannabinoid drugs obtained from the hemp plant
  (including marijuana "pot" and hashish)
• Cocaine-based drugs
• Hallucinogenic or "psychedelic" drugs (including
  LSD, PCP or angel dust, and other PCP-type drugs)

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• Inhalants (including gaseous drugs used in the
  medical practice of anesthesia, as well as such
  common substances as paint thinner, gasoline,
  glue)
• Alcoholic drinks become a dependence problem when
  continual and increased amounts are consumed and
  alcoholism results.

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Problem drinking

• Research has shown that drinking moderate amounts
  of alcohol can have health benefits. For men over
  40, and women after the menopause, having one or
  two small drinks a day can help prevent coronary
  heart disease.
• However, it is estimated that a quarter of men
  and one in six women drink enough to put their
  health at risk.

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How much is too much?

• AMA guidelines state that men should drink no
  more than three to four units per day and women
  no more than two to three units per day.
• However, some medical experts believe these
  levels are too high, and recommend no more than
  three units a day for men and two a day for
  women. Either way, you should not "save up" the
  units over the week and use them to binge at the
  weekend.

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Strength and units

• The strength of an alcoholic drink is indicated
  by the percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV).
• A unit is 8 grams of pure alcohol, regardless of
  the amount of liquid its contained in.
• The number of units in one litre of any drink is
  equal to the ABV. So a 500ml can of 8 ABV lager
  contains 4 units.

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• One unit is equal to
• about half a pint (300ml) of ordinary-strength
  lager, beer or cider,
• a 25ml (1 fl. oz.) measure of spirit or a small
  glass of fortified wine, such as sherry or port
  (17.5 ABV),
• a small glass (125 ml) (5 fl. oz.) of 8 ABV
  wine.

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Units for women

• The reason that the limits for women are less
  than for men is because the body composition of
  women has less water than men.
• Therefore, even if a man and woman are of similar
  size and weight, the woman will tend to get drunk
  faster. Women can also develop liver disease at
  lower levels of drinking than men.

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Alcohol dependence

• 3 or more of the following symptoms
• a strong urge to drink,
• difficulty controlling drinking,
• physical withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating,
  shaking, agitation and nausea when they try to
  reduce drinking,
• a growing tolerance to alcohol (needing larger
  quantities to get the same effect),
• gradual neglect of other activities,
• persistent drinking even though it is obviously
  causing harm.

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Short-term effects

• Alcohol suppresses the part of the brain that
  controls judgment, resulting in a loss of
  inhibitions.
• It also affects physical co-ordination, causing
  blurred vision, slurred speech and loss of
  balance.
• Drinking a very large amount at one time (binge
  drinking) can lead to unconsciousness, coma, and
  even death.

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• Vomiting while unconscious can lead to death by
  asphyxiation (suffocation).
• Alcohol is implicated in a large proportion of
  fatal road accidents, assaults and incidents of
  domestic violence.

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Long-term effects

• Alcohol can be a dangerous drug.
• Drinking too much too often will cause physical
  damage, increase the risk of getting some
  diseases, and make other diseases worse.

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Excessive drinking over time is
associated with

• loss of brain cells,
• liver failure,
• irritated stomach lining and bleeding from
  stomach ulcers,
• high blood pressure (which can lead to stroke),
• certain types of cancer,
• nerve damage,
• heart failure,
• epilepsy.

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Excessive drinking has also been
linked to

• vitamin deficiency,
• obesity,
• sexual problems,
• infertility,
• muscle disease,
• skin problems,
• inflammation of the pancreas.

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Drinking over-time, affects every
system in the body.
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What you can do to be SAFE

• Educate yourself (Be in the know)
• Think morning
• Make informed choices
• Seek support
• If you need it, get help
• Carry the message
• Be a healthy peer model