Using Alcohol and Caffeine Responsibly and Refraining from Tobacco Use

alcohol metrics

• in 2013 80% of canadians consumed alcohol in the past year

• consumption among youth decreased to 70%

• makes drink more than females in most age groups

• heavy drinkers: consume 5+ drinks per occasion at least once a month

what are the most popular alcoholic drinks

1. beer

2. wine

3. spirits

what are the effects of drinking?

• moderate alcohol consumption has been found to reduce risk of coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke

• 10% report some harm from drinking and negative effects

• 32.7% report being harmed by someone else’s drinking

• alc is a significant factor in hospital admissions, road deaths, industrial accidents, accidental drowning, homicide and suicide

how many post-secondary students are drinking

• more than 90% of 18-19 year old students consumed alc

what are 2 theories of overestimating peers drinking behaviours

1. pluralistic ignorance → when people think their behaviour differs from others even though it is the same

2. false consensus → tendency for people to overestimate others behaviours in order to perceive themselves the same as others

binge drinking

consuming 5 drinks in a row for men and 4 for women on a single occasion

• more men binge drink and is common and expected on campus

what are 2 new ways of consuming alcohol and why r they bad

1. alcohol enamas/butt chugging

2. vodka tampons/slimming

these methods provide quick alc absorption into bloodstream but risk for alc poisoning

drunkorexia

replacing food consumption with excessive alcohol and/or induce vomiting as a method of purging and numbing feelings

canadian centre for substance abuse low-risk drinking guidelines

• no more than 15 drinks/week for men and 10/week for women

• no more than 3 drinks daily for men and 2 for women

• several days per week with no alc

• do not drink if

ethanol/ethyl alcohol

intoxicating substantive found in wine, beer and liquor

• produced by fermentation

• hard liquor goes through distillation

proof

twice the alcohol content

percentage of alcohol varies per beverage and proof of drink provides indication of its strength

blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

ratio of alcohol to total blood volume, used to measure physiological and behavioural effects of alcohol

• depends on weight/body fat, water content in tissues and consumption concentration/rate/volume

not impaired → <0.1% → negligible

sometimes impaired → 0.01-0.04% → slight muscle relaxation, mild euphoria, slight body warmth, increased sociability and talkativeness

usually impaired → 0.05-0.07% → lowered alertness impaired judgement, lowered inhibitions , exaggerated behaviour, loss of muscle control

always impaired

→ 0.08-0.14 → slowed reaction time, poor muscle coordination, short term memory loss, judgement impaired and inability to focus

→ 0.15-0.24 → blurred vision, lack of motor skills, sedation, slow reactions, difficulty standing and walking, passing out

→ 0.25-0.34 → impaired consciousness, disorientation, loss of motor function, severely impaired or no reflexes,!impaired circulation and respiration, uncontrolled urination, slurred speech, possible death

→ 0.35+ → unconsciousness, coma, extremely slow heartbeat and respiration, unresponsiveness, probable death

learned behavioural tolerance

having higher BAC but appearing sober

speed is alc absorbed

• rapidly absorbed into blood stream by small intestine

• less rapidly from stomach and colon

• factors:

  • amount consumed in given time

  • genetics

  • amount of food in stomach

  • mood/stress

  • fruit sugar

speed is alc absorbed

• rapidly absorbed into blood stream by small intestine

• less rapidly from stomach and colon

• factors:

  • amount consumed in given time

  • genetics

  • amount of food in stomach

  • mood/stress

  • fruit sugar

where and what is alc metabolized to

• alc is metabolized in liver where it converts from alc dehydrogenase (more prevalent in women)to acetaldehyde (toxic chemical that can cause nausea and vomiting and liver damage)

• contained 7 cals/gram, source of energy

where does alcohol effect the most dramatically

central nervous system

• cns depression can cause vital function depression and even death

side effects of alc

• diuretic → increases urinary output

water pulled out of cerebrospinal fluid → headaches

• irritates gastrointestinal system

• long term use linked to esophagus and stomach cancer

• drinking sprees can cause irregular heart beat and potentially total loss of heart rhythm, and potential damage the the heart muscle

alcoholism

when there is excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with relationships

• considered a disease

• 8.8% report self harm in past year as result of their drinking

• affects physical, financial and social health

• motor vehicle accidents account for largest number of alc-related deaths

how why and who alcoholism affects

• usually results from chronic use over period of time

• 1/10 risk of addiction to alcohol

• women are fastest growing component of alcohol abusers

alcoholism causes

• higher rates among family members → 4 to 5 times more common among children of those addicted to alc

• type 1 and 2

• social and cultural factors → peer pressure, family, cultural attitudes

  • urbanization, weakening links to extended family, kinship ties, increased mobility, religious and philosophic views

type 1 vs type 2 alchoholics

1. drinkers who had one parents who was problem drinker and grew up in environment that encourages heavy drinking (environment)

2. typically males under age of 25 who are biological sons along alcoholics with history of violence and drug use (genetics)

what are 4 common roles assumed by children of dysfunctional families and how are they affected

1. family hero

2. scapegoat

3. lost child

4. mascot

• children that lack parental nurturing are often neglected and abused → greater risk to become alcoholics but many develop resiliency

cirrhosis

health liver cells replaced with scar tissue that interferes with livers ability to perform vital functions

what is the primary preventable cause of disease and death in canada

smoking

forms of tobacco

• cigarettes, cigars and pipes used for burning/inhaling tobacco

  • smoking is most common form

  • delivers 5000 chemicals and 50 are known carcinogens

• snuff → finely ground tobacco for chewing, inhalation or placement against gums

• chewing/smokeless tobacco → placed between gums and teeth for sucking and chewing

which chemical stimulant is the major psychoactive substance in tobacco?

nicotine

what does smoking do to the lungs

• nicotine impairs cleansing action of cilia cells in lungs by paralyzing them

• tar builds up → thick brownish sludge from particulate matter that condenses in the lungs

what gasses and chemicals are found in tobacco and what do they do

• carbon monoxide → can cause oxygen deprivation in many body tissues

• nicotine → powerful CNS stimulant that:

  • produces an aroused state

  • stimulates adrenaline production

  • increased HR RR and BP

  • increased risk of blood clots

filtered cigarettes and low tar nicotine products

• may be considered safer products but contain sake level of other harmful chemicals

who does smoking brands target

• directed primarily to young women

• 85% of smokers start before 16

smokeless tobacco

• just as addictive as smoking

• contains more nicotine than normal cigs

• can cause leukoplakia which can be a precursor to oral cancer

• impairs senses of taste and smell

• can cause receding gums, tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath

what happens when smokers quit

20 mins

• BP, pulse rate and body temperature of hands and feet drop/drop/increase to normal

8 hours

• carbon monoxide and oxygen levels in blood drop/increase to normal

24h

• chances of heart attack decrease

48h

• nerve endings start regrowing

• ability to smell and taste enhances

2 weeks to 3 months

• circulation improves

• walking becomes easier

• lung function increases up to 30%

1-9 months

• coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease

• cilia regrows in lungs, which increases ability to handle mucus clean and reduce infection

• energy increases

1 year

• excess risk of coronary heart disease decreases by almost half

5 years

• lung cancer death rate decreases by almost half

10 years

• lung cancer death rate similar to non smokers

• precancerous cells replaced

• risk of cancer in affected areas decreases

15 years

• risk of coronary hear disease is that if a non smoker

what is the most popular and widely consumed drug in canada

caffeine

• almost half of canadians drink coffee every day and other consume tea, cola or chocolate

• espressos have the most caffeine per oz

what chemical family does caffeine derive from

xanthines → mild CNS stimulants

caffeinism

chronic caffeine use and it’s attendant behaviours

• withdrawal will cause severe headache

• meets requirement for addiction

energy drinks

one of fastest growing components of the beverage industry

• contain caffeine

• powerful stimulant available in a variety of sizers and levels of caffeine, sugar and calories

what are the health consequences if long-term caffeine yse

• heart disease

• cancer

• mental dysfunction

• birth defects

however, moderate caffeine use (less than 300mg daily) does not produce harmful effects in non pregnant, healthy people

positive effects of caffeine

• potentially reducing risk of type 2 diabetes

• as an ergogenic aid

• facilitating athletic performance

• potentially positively altering carb and fat metabolism during exercise