alc awareness session 1 - 2.6.20099

7/30/2019 Alc Awareness Session 1 - 2.6.20099

1/17

ALCOHOL:MAKING CHANGES

SESSION 1

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF

ALCOHOL


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DOH DEFINITIONS OF ALCOHOL USE

*SENSIBLE HAZARDOUS HARMFUL

MALE 34 UNITS 57 UNITS > 7

FEMALE 23 UNITS 45 UNITS > 5

PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD AVOID ALCOHOL


3/17

KNOW YOUR UNITS


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LIVER CAN PROCESS ONE UNIT OF

ALCOHOL PER HOUR

Liver processes 9098% of alcohol turning

it into Carbon Dioxide and water

210% of alcohol is secreted in sweat,

breath and urine


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DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Increased risk of cancer in mouth and

throat (x3 the risk) especially for

people who smoke and drink.

Tear in oesophagus caused by repeated

retching.

Cancer of oesophagus (double the risk)

Oesophageal varices

THROAT AND OESOPHAGUS


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STOMACH

Nausea / vomiting/ acid reflux

Gastritisinflammation of stomach

Stomach Ulcer (peptic ulcer)

PANCREASE

Pancreatitis (inflammation of

Pancreas)

Diabetes

MALNUTRITION

Found in 29% of heavy drinkers

caused by poor diet and impaired

Absorption of vitamins (particularly B

vitamins)


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LIVER

Fatty Liver

Fat deposits in liverno symptoms

Alcoholic Hepatitis

Inflammation of liver

May lead to liver failure

Cirrhosis

Death of liver cells. May be fatal

All above problems may not be detectable

on blood tests


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CIRCULATION

High blood pressureAlcohol may bemost important cause

Risk of Strokedoubled among heavy

drinkers

Arrhythmiaspalpitations or uneven

heart beat

Heart DiseaseCardiomyopathy

(weakening of heart muscle)

Increased risk of heart failure


10/17

Red blood cells swollen (macrocytosis)

in 90% of dependant drinkers. Thiseffects ability to carry oxygen leading

to tiredness and lethargy, due to

thiamine deficiency and toxic effects of

alcohol on bone marrow where red

cells are produced.

Immune system problemsAlcohol

decreases number of white blood cellswhich are important for fighting

infections


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NERVOUS SYSTEM

Nervous system problems are caused bydeficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1)

Peripheral Parasthesiatingling in fingers

and toes

Peripheral Neuropathynumbness infingers and toes

Wernickes Encephalopathy abnormal eye

movements, (may be very subtle) impaired

gait, confusion.

If not treated, may lead to Korsakoffs

Syndromean irreversible form of

dementia


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SEXUAL PROBLEMS

MEN Reduced libido, impaired sexual functioning, reducedfertilitylower sperm count. Reduced testosterone.

WOMEN Disruption of periods (amenorrhoea)

Heavy bleeding (menorrhagia)

Increased oestrogen

Women should not drink when pregnant as this is a risk

to foetus, risks include spontaneous abortion, still birth, and

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (growth deficiency and abnormal

facial features).


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ACCIDENTS

Alcohol related to:

45% of deaths through falls

39% of deaths through fires

25% of deaths through drowning


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DEPENDENCY

Tolerance

The amount a person drinks without experiencing symptoms of intoxication.

When people dont drink regularly their tolerance is low.

If high amounts of alcohol are consumed regularly, tolerance increasesit

takes a lot more alcohol for a person to experience symptoms of intoxication.

Nervous system adapts to alcohol


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ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL

If a person drinks heavily (15+units for a man and 11+ units for a woman) on adaily basis for several months and they stop or cut down significantly, theywill experience alcohol withdrawals.

Starts around 1224 hours after drinkingworse symptoms are 23 daysafter stopping drinking.

Common Symptoms include: More severe symptoms include:

Tremor / Shaking

Nausea and retching / vomiting

Sweating DisorientationIrritability Hallucinations

Anxiety Seizures

Restlessness (Delirium Tremors)

Insomnia


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RECOVERY

5 Weeks Replenished vitamin levels

6 weeks Improved mood

6 weeks Improved sleep pattern

12 weeks Replenished red blood cells


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SOME TIPS FOR CUTTING DOWN

Drink lower strength drinks

Have a spacer

Drink more slowly

Eat before and while you are drinking Avoid friends who drink heavily

Delay starting time

Discover non-alcoholic drinks that you enjoy

Dont drink to cope with stress or negative feelings Change your drinking routine

Keep a diary of your drinking

alc awareness session 1 - 2.6.20099

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