Alcohol

Approximately, how many commercials promoting alcoholic beverages do teens see each year?

2,000

Alcohol

A class of chemical compounds. The alcohol of alcoholic beverages, ethanol, is one member of this class.

Alcoholism

A disease in which a person has a physical or psychological dependence on drinks that contain alcohol.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A group of alcohol-related birth defects that include mental and physical problems.

Alcoholic

A person who is dependant on alcohol.

Fermentation

A process that uses bacteria or yeast to change the sugars of a food into alcohol.

Alcohol poisoning

A severe, potentially fatal, physical reaction to an alcohol overdose.

Strategy

A systematic plan of action.

Which of the following statements BEST describes how the body processes alcohol?

After alcohol is metabolized in the liver, it is burned as fuel for the cells.

Which of the following BEST describes the short-term effects that alcohol has on the nervous system?

Alcohol dulls concentration, impairs coordination, and causes one's thought process to be disorganized.

Which of the following statements is NOT true about alcohol?

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it speeds up the nervous system.

Which of the following statements is NOT true about alcoholics?

Alcoholics are able to limit the amount they drink.

Why is alcoholism considered a chronic disease?

Alcoholism requires lifelong treatment.

Which of the following statements is NOT accurate of blood alcohol content (BAC)?

BAC is used to determine number of beverages consumed.

All of the following are examples of nonprofits that work towards educating people about alcohol and aiding in the process of rehabilitation EXCEPT:

Boys and Girls Club of America

Which of the following is NOT true about alcohol and sexual activity?

Drinking alcohol may lead to enhanced sensitivity while engaging in sexual activity.

Depressant

Drugs that cause the central nervous system to slow down.

Which of the following is NOT an effect of alcohol on the digestive system?

Excessive amounts of alcohol can cause breathing to slow, become irregular, or stop.

A standard drink is equal to 12.7 grams of pure alcohol.

F

Adolescents whose parents approve of underage drinking and see it as a rite of passage are less likely to drink.

F

Alcoholism isn't a "real" addiction.

F

Although Joshua is an alcoholic, he is able to control his drinking when he parties with his friends.

F

April has only consumed one glass of wine, so her body isn't affected by the alcohol because short-term effects only begin with the second drink.

F

Drinking five ounces of wine is better for the body than drinking twelve ounces of beer because there's less pure alcohol in a glass of wine.

F

Environmental factors, such as friends, family, and the media, have little influence on whether or not someone chooses to drink or not to drink.

F

Long-term alcohol use is more severe in older people than younger people because older people's body systems are generally weaker.

F

Someone who is uncomfortable saying "no" to alcohol in front of peers is weak.

F

The cure for alcoholism is too expensive for most people to afford it.

F

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between alcohol and fermentation?

Fermentation is a process that uses substances such as bacteria or yeast to change the sugars of fruits or grains into alcohol.

Which of the following BEST describes the effects that fetal alcohol syndrome has on a child's mental abilities?

Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause parts of the brain to be underdeveloped and can cause mental retardation.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

It is against the law to be in an establishment that serves alcohol unless you're 21.

Which of the following statement is TRUE about the effect that alcohol has on society?

Many societal problems are directly related to alcohol, such as domestic violence and child neglect.

Alcohol abuse

Occurs when an individual continues to consume alcohol even after it causes physical, legal, mental, growth, or health problems.

Explain how alcohol can be considered a drug.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: A drug refers to any substance, such as alcohol, that causes a change in a person's body and behavior when consumed.

Why is it important to have a strategy for staying alcohol-free?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: A strategy for remaining alcohol-free involves a plan for how to handle situations that will tempt you to give in and use alcohol. By planning a strategy ahead of time, it is more likely that when a situation arises, you will be prepared to face it and refuse alcohol.

Explain what makes alcoholism a chronic, rather than acute disease.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Acute diseases are those with rapid onsets that can be treated and often cured. Chronic diseases, meanwhile, are long-term diseases and conditions that cannot be treated and forgotten; chronic diseases may or may not have a cure and can require a lifelong commitment to treatment. Since alcoholism has no cure and is a disease that can result in relapses throughout life, it is considered a chronic disease.

Explain what distinguishes the nonprofit alcohol education program Al-Anon from other programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and the American Red Cross addiction programs.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Al-Anon is a nonprofit alcohol education program designed to help support the children and families of alcoholics. This goal is different from programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and the American Red Cross, where the goal is to provide support directly to individuals battling alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is an indirect education and support program meant to help foster a healthier environment, while the others are support programs meant to help people directly.

In your opinion, how do alcohol advertisements build pleasant expectations about consuming alcohol? How can this affect the behavior of some adolescent viewers?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Alcohol advertisements often portray drinking alcohol as cool or glamorous. Many advertisements show groups of friends laughing and having fun, which can cause viewers to believe that drinking alcohol is synonymous with having a good time. These pleasant expectations can cause adolescents to consume more alcohol.

In your own words, define alcoholism and describe two ways in which alcohol contributes to societal problems.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Alcoholism is a disease that afflicts numerous people worldwide. An alcoholic has an uncontrollable need to drink alcohol. Alcohol is related to many societal problems. For example, many alcoholics are unemployed because they can't keep a job. Alcohol is also tied to numerous motor vehicle accidents and numerous domestic violence and child neglect cases. Substance abuse treatments can be costly and a percentage of the costs falls on society and individuals in the form of higher costs for items like health care and car insurance. Also, a percentage of the costs for arrests and incarceration is paid for by taxpayers.

What distinguishes community-sponsored alcohol awareness programs from government-sponsored programs?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Community-sponsored programs are organized by nongovernmental agencies in a community such as religious institutions, businesses, or clubs. They are not supported by or affiliated with government organizations and thus generally cannot claim to represent official government policies.

Imagine that you're working in a health department and have been tasked with creating a handout that outlines the effects of alcohol on a fetus. Explain what fetal alcohol syndrome is and explain in detail one harmful effect that you believe parents should know about.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of alcohol-related birth defects that can occur when alcohol is consumed during a pregnancy. Exposure to alcohol can cause the fetus to be born with deformities to the face, eyes, ears, bones, brain, heart, and kidneys. Alcohol can also cause mental retardation and damage parts of the brain and the central nervous system. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome may suffer from behavioral difficulties, such as hyperactivity, impulse control, and control over language outbursts. Children may also have difficulty with memory, language, and communication skills.

Explain how lying can be part of a valid strategy for staying alcohol-free.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Lying is generally not considered appropriate, but it can be used to come up with excuses and reasons not to use alcohol. If someone offers you a drink and you do not have a excuse ready to use that happens to be true, it may be better to make up an excuse that is not true rather than give in to peer pressure and drink alcohol.

Explain the effects that alcoholism has on school performance and give two suggestions that you would give a student to help them overcome their alcohol problem.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Students with alcohol problems are at risk for numerous academic problems, which include low grades, poor attendance, and behavioral issues. The likelihood of dropping out of school increases, and students may suffer from depression and have thoughts of suicide. To help a student overcome a problem with alcohol, I would suggest the following: talking to a school counselor or trusted adult, calling the local or national drug and alcohol hotline, checking into an alcohol treatment center, or attending an alcohol treatment group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Compare the negative effects that alcohol has on one's academic performance at the high school and college level?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: The consumption of alcohol can damage one's intellectual capacity and ability to learn. Studies have shown that high school students who drink alcohol are more likely to earn lower grades and drop out. Similarly, college students who consume alcohol generally earn lower grades than those who abstain. Also, alcohol is implicated in approximately 28% of college dropouts.

Explain the short-term and long-term effects that alcohol has on the cardiovascular system and describe two preventative measures people could take if they want to avoid these effects.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: The short-term effects that alcohol has on the cardiovascular system depends on how much alcohol is consumed. Low consumption of alcohol increases one's heart rate and blood pressure. However, high consumption decreases one's heart rate and blood pressure and can cause heart rhythms to become irregular. Long-term effects of alcohol include high blood pressure, enlarged heart, and damage to heart muscles. Two preventive measures people could take to avoid these effects are to abstain from drinking alcohol or minimizing the amount of alcohol one drinks.

Consequence

Something that happens as a direct result of a specific action.

Cure

Something that relieves an individual of a disease.

Alcoholics generally feel dependent on alcohol and crave it, which is why it's hard for them to stop drinking.

T

Carol can be defined as a social drinker because she can easily limit drinking and she chiefly drinks alcohol when she is out with friends or family members.

T

Cirrhosis of the liver is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by chronic alcohol abuse.

T

During pregnancy, mothers should abstain from drinking alcohol because a fetus's liver is unable to process alcohol due to underdevelopment.

T

Exposure to alcohol affects the blood supply to the fetus and can cause physical deformities to the face, eyes, and heart.

T

Involuntary functions, such as breathing, may shut down if a person has alcohol poisoning.

T

Proof is the standard measure used to determine how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage.

T

Saying, "I'll wake up with a headache if I drink tonight," is an example of using an excuse to remain alcohol-free.

T

Tara would be considered an alcoholic because she continues to drink alcohol even though her doctor has warned her of the severe health damages it's causing.

T

The US Department of Health and Human Services is a government education program.

T

When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, the baby is also drinking alcohol because blood freely passes from the woman's blood stream into the fetus's blood stream.

T

Relapse

The act of backsliding; the recurrence of an illness after apparent recovery.

Recovery

The process of fighting a disorder; a restoration of health.

Intoxication

The state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person's physical and mental control is significantly reduced.

Ethanol

The type of alcohol found in beer, wine, and liquor.

Alcohol use

When an individual consumes alcohol.

How does planning activities with friends who don't drink help you avoid situations involving alcohol?

You are all less likely to want to go somewhere alcohol is served.

Why is the simplest strategy for remaining alcohol-free simply to avoid situations where alcohol is present?

You cannot be tempted to drink alcohol if none is available.

Which of the following is NOT a service provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration?

a cure for alcoholism

Which of the following is a short-term effect of alcohol use?

confusion

Individuals with less severe problems with alcohol are most likely to benefit from __________.

counseling

Underage drinking is __________.

dangerous

Paula believes that drinking will help her relax and calm her nerves. Which of the following factors is most likely influencing her decision to drink alcohol?

expectations

An alcohol awareness program sponsored by a local police department is an example of a __________.

government program

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of alcohol poisoning?

high body temperature

Which of the following is a strategy for remaining alcohol-free?

prepare excuses

Which of the following is NOT a behavioral difficulty children with fetal alcohol syndrome face?

problems with shyness

Thomas is an adolescent who often seeks out potentially harmful situations without thinking about the consequences. Which of the following factors is most likely influencing his decision to drink alcohol?

risk-taking

Which of the following is NOT a legal consequence of driving under the influence?

school expulsion

Which source is most likely to contribute reliable and reputable information about finding alcohol education programs?

the police department

Local business are most likely to sponsor alcohol awareness programs __________.

within their local community

Which of the following is an environmental treatment option for alcoholism?

zero-tolerance policies