Alcohol, Drug, and Wellness Education

Alcohol: What It Is and What It Does

Many people think of alcohol as a beverage, not a drug, but, in fact, ethyl alcohol is a drug as much as is Valium or an amphetamine. Ethyl alcohol is a sedative hypnotic drug and is the active ingredient in all forms of alcoholic drinks, beer, liquor, wine. Although many people refer to liquor as 'hard alcohol', the alcohol is the same as in the other types of drinks.

How Does the Body Eliminate Alcohol?

One of the most important things a drinker can know about alcohol is the process of its elimination from the body. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver. Ninety-five percent of the alcohol consumed is eliminated in this way. The liver metabolizes approximately one-half ounce per hour, the amount in one 12 oz. can of domestic beer, one ounce of 100 Proof liquor, or 5-6 ounces of wine.

Why Do Some People Do Things Drinking They Wouldn't Do Sober?

As the blood alcohol concentration rises, the drug affects brain function which, in turn, affects judgement, emotions, coordination, and, if the person continues to drink, voluntary and involuntary muscles. As brain functions become impaired, some people say or do things not normally part of their behavior. People may become insulting, angry, or tearful. Most people become happy because that is the reaction they expect.

Blackouts

Definition - A blackout is an amnesia-like period which is preceded by excessive drinking. It is not passing out or losing consciousness. The person will appear to be normal and will seem to be functioning appropriately. Later, however, the drinker will not remember periods of time during or after drinking. A blackout may last just a few minutes or several hours.
Some drinkers may report, for example, not remembering how they returned to their room from a party, or they may not recall conversations with friends during the evening.

Cause - The exact cause of blackouts is not known. The simple explanation is that alcohol disrupts the storing of information in the long-term memory.

Significance - Blackouts are serious for a number of reasons. First, most drinkers do not have blackouts. Those people who do have them mistakenly assume that everyone does, but this is not the case. Second, most people who have a first blackout do not have another because they decide that if excessive drinking is going to cause them to forget what they did, they do not want to drink that much again. So, simply having multiple blackouts is an indication of a possible, and likely, problem.

Solution - The only way to avoid blackouts is to reduce or eliminate drinking.

Hangovers

Definition - A hangover is a collection of symptoms resulting from excessive drinking. There is not an exact definition; symptoms vary from individual to individual. The most common complaints are headache, nausea, sluggishness, and irritability.

Cause - The cause is excessive consumption and the withdrawal of alcohol from the body.

Solution - Despite popular myth, there are no hangover cures, except, of course, less consumption.

Tolerance

Definition - In terms of drinking, tolerance is the body's adaptation to increasing amounts of alcohol while seemingly affecting behavior less. The more frequently a person takes the drug, and the higher the dose, the more likely it is that tolerance will develop. Often, drinkers are under the misunderstanding that developing a high tolerance is beneficial, but this is not true. Subjecting your body to increasingly higher quantities of alcohol or other drug is simply not healthy.

Cause - A person develops tolerance by drinking increasing quantity and frequency over a period of time.

Solution - Maintaining a low tolerance is important. To prevent the development of a higher tolerance, do not increase the amount of alcohol consumed and do not drink frequently

Blood Alcohol Content

Your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) is the percentage of your blood volume that is alcohol. The more you drink, the more your BAC increases. As BAC increases, alcohol's effects become less pleasant and more dangerous. The rate at which a person's BAC rises varies depending on:

• The number of drinks (A drink is considered 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor) consumed. The more consumed, the higher the BAC

• How quickly drinks are consumed (alcohol consumed more quickly raises the BAC higher than when drinks are consumed over a longer period of time)

• Your gender (women generally have less water weight and more body fat per pound than men. Because alcohol does not go into fat cells as easily, more alcohol remains in a woman's body)

• Your weight (more weight = more water; water dilutes alcohol and lowers the BAC)

• Food in your stomach (food slows down alcohol absorption)

Understanding BAC Levels & Effects

Common symptoms, levels of impairment, and risks for various blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels include: 

• 0.02%: This is the lowest level of intoxication with some measurable impact on the brain and body. You will feel relaxed, experience altered mood, feel a little warmer, and may make poor judgments.
• 0.05%: At this level, your behavior will become exaggerated. You may speak louder and gesture more. You may also begin to lose control of small muscles, like the ability to focus your eyes, so vision will become blurry. Your judgment is impaired, and coordination is reduced. Tracking objects visually becomes more difficult, and your ability to respond to emergencies, like an object in your path, will be reduced. Your inhibitions will be lowered causing you to potentially engage in risky behaviors like drunk driving.
• 0.08%: This is the current legal limit in the U.S., other than Utah, and at this level it is considered illegal and unsafe to drive. You will lose more coordination, so your balance, speech, reaction times, and even hearing will get worse. Standing still, focusing on objects, and evading obstacles are all much harder. Reasoning, judgment, self-control, concentration, and memory will be impaired. Short-term memory loss may start.
• 0.10%: At this BAC, reaction time and control will be reduced, speech will be slurred, thinking and reasoning are slower, and the ability to coordinate your arms and legs is poor.
• 0.15%: This BAC is very high. You will have much less control over your balance and voluntary muscles, so walking and talking are difficult. You may fall and hurt yourself. Vomiting may begin.
• 0.20-0.29%: Stupor, confusion, feeling dazed, and disorientation are common. Standing and walking may require help, as balance and muscle control will have deteriorated significantly. Sensations of pain will change, so if you fall and seriously hurt yourself, you may not notice, and you are less likely to do anything about it. Nausea and vomiting are likely to occur, and the gag reflex will be impaired, which could cause choking or aspirating on vomit. Blackouts begin at this BAC, so you may participate in events that you don't remember.
• 0.30-0.39%: At this point, you may be unconscious and your potential for death increases. Along with a loss of understanding, at this BAC you will also experience severe increases in your heart rate, irregular breathing and may have a loss of bladder control.
• 0.40% and over: This level may put you in a coma or cause sudden death because your heart or breathing will suddenly stop.

0-1-2-3 Guidelines

0--  DO NOT DRINK if...

You are under 21. University of Mount Union policy and Ohio state law prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from possessing or consuming alcohol.

You are hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Drinking on an empty stomach will only make you sick. Since alcohol magnifies whatever mood you are in, it only makes bad moods worse.

You'll be driving. Always have a designated driver and always know how you are going to get home safely.

There's a chance of unintended or unwanted sexual activity. 90% of all sexual assaults occur when either the attacker or the victim was under the influence of alcohol.

You are taking ANY medications. Most over-the-counter and prescription medications (such as birth control pills, antihistamines, diet pills, herbal supplements, antibiotics, etc.) react negatively to alcohol.  For more information about interactions, contact the Office of Alcohol, Drug & Wellness Education.

**It's always OK not to drink. If you're driving, pregnant, or have alcohol or other drug dependencies, it's the best choice.

If you decide to drink alcohol, these guidelines are suggested:

1.   Consume no more than one standard alcoholic beverage per hour.

• Space your drinks with non-alcoholic beverages such as water, juice, or soft drinks.
• Drinking this way will help to prevent hangovers because you consume less alcohol and stay hydrated!

2.   Do not drink any more than two nights per week

• Most (87.7%) University of Mount Union students consume alcohol one day per week or less. (CORE 2019)
• Research shows that just one episode of even moderate drinking can impair memory for up to three days. This can have a tremendous impact on grades.

3.   Do not consume more than three standard drinks per any occasion of drinking.

• Keep track of how much you're drinking
• Avoid drinking games, you are likely to lose track of the number of drinks

Studies have shown that those who drink at the "at risk" level or higher are more likely to experience alcohol-related problems, such as:

• Get nauseous or vomit
• Experience a hangover
• Do something they later regretted
• Experience a memory loss
• Miss a class
• Perform poorly on an important exam or paper
• Get into an argument or fight
• Be hurt or injured
• Be taken advantage of sexually or take advantage of someone else
• Damage property
• Make the choice to drive under the influence
• Get in trouble with the authorities

Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms:

• The person is unconscious or semi-conscious and cannot be awakened.
• The person's skin is cold or clammy and has pale or bluish color.
• Slow breathing - less than eight breaths per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds.
• Vomiting while "sleeping" or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting.

If a person has ANY of these symptoms, they need help!

• Call 911!
• Do not leave the person alone! Turn the person on her/his side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.
• Get help. Your friend will not be angry because you care!

Does my drinking cause problems?

• Does a large percentage of my social life involve drinking?
• Have I drank more than I intended?
• Do I spend more money on alcohol than I intend?
• Have I drank when I told myself I would not?
• Have I had more than one blackout?
• While drinking, have I done things I later regretted?
• Do I generally get drunk when drinking?
• Do I sometimes feel guilty about my drinking?
• Is there a history of alcohol problems in my family?
• Do I feel alone or different than others at a party if I am not drinking?
• Do I have a reputation as a drinker?
• Do I sometimes become promiscuous when drinking?
• Have I broken promises to myself or others about my drinking?
• Have friends told me they don't like to be with me when I drink?
• Have friends told me I become a different person when I drink?
• Do I tell myself that I drink to be social yet sometimes drink alone?
• Have I told myself I will reduce my drinking after graduation?
• Have I embarrassed myself while drinking?
• Have I neglected homework or studies because of drinking?
• Have I tried to avoid people I drank with the night before?

If your answer to the first question is "most" or "all", and your responses to even one of the other questions is "yes', talking with a professional about your drinking is recommended. 

Contact the Office of Alcohol, Drug & Wellness Education at ADWE@mountunion.edu or call (330) 829-6660.

How to Change

When considering changes in drinking, most people think only in terms of reducing or quitting, but drinking can be altered in a variety of ways. The amount, frequency, and location of drinking can all be changed; abstinence from drinking can be temporary or life-long.

If you want to make changes in your drinking, some suggestions aretalking with someone about your corncerns, keep studies your priority, develop new interests and activities, carry a water, juice, or soda with you at parties or a bar, and remeber that it's okay not to drink at all if you don't want. Don't let otheres make the decision for you. 

Be patient with yourself. Changing habits takes time. Don't feel discouraged if you have difficulty at first. Checking-in with someone once a week to discuss your progress and difficulties is helpful.

If you have tried to limit your drinking and have been unsuccessful or if you have simply decided to stop drinking, below are some suggestions.

• Accept that not drinking might not be easy.
• Be patient with yourself.
• Take it one day (or one party) at a time.
• Find out which friends will support you in your efforts to stop.
• Ask those friends if you can call when you are having a tough time.
• CALL!
• Ask those friends to help you develop social alternatives.
• Identify those situations in which you are most likely to want to drink.
• When and if you are ready, tell your family and ask for their support.
• Read about alcohol and alcoholism.
• Talk with others who have stopped drinking.
• Attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. You do not have to be an alcoholic to attend open meetings.
• Talk with an alcohol professional.
• Meet with a health professional if you have medical concerns or questions.
• Treatment programs are available if you find that stopping is more difficult than expected.
• THINK POSITIVELY. A number of students have gotten sober and stayed sober.

You may find that stopping is not the problem; staying stopped is. For some, the elimination of alcohol from their lives means a major lifestyle change. Learning to socialize without a beer in hand can be difficult. Being comfortable with who you are and feeling accepted by friends when you are no longer drinking often proves to be a major stumbling block for some students trying to quit. Who your true friends are will quickly become apparent. True friends will be supportive and encouraging.

Associated Risks

Alcohol

Aocohol consumption causes several changes in behavior and physicology. Low doses significantly impair judgment, coordination, and abstract mental functioning. Statistics show that low alcohol use is involved in most violent behaviors on college campuses, including aquaintance rape, vandalism, fights, and incidents of drinking and driving. Continued abuse may lead to dependency, which often causes permanent damage to vital organs and deterioration of a healthy lifestyle.

Possible long-term effects: Bleeding from the intestinal tract, damage to nerves and the brain, psychotic behavior, loss of memory and coordination,  damage to the liver often resulting in cirrhosis impotence, severe inflamation of the pancreas, and damage to the bone marrow, heart, testes, ovaries, and muscles. 

Cannabis (Marijuana, Hashish)

The use of marijuana may impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter sense of time, and reduce coordination and energy levels. users often have a lowered immune system and an increased risk of lung cancer. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC, is stored in the fatty tissues of the brain and reproductive system for a minumum of 28-30 days.

Possible long-term effects: Regular use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawl following discontinuation as well as a mental addiction or dependence.

Hallucinogens (Lysergic acid/ LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin/ msuhrooms)

The use of hallucinogens may cause illusions and hallucinations. The user may experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. Delayed effects, or flashbacks, can occur even when use has ceased. Phencyclidine (PCP) affetcs the section of the brain that controls the intellect and keeps instincts in check. Because the Drug blocks pain receptors, violent PCP episodes may result in self-inflicted injuries. 

Possible long-term effects: Respiratory depression, coma, convulsions, seizures, flashbacks, and death.

Cocaine/Crack

Cocaine users often have a stuffy,  runny nose and may have a perforated nasal septum. The immediate effects of cocaine use include dialate pupils and elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature, followed by depression. Crack, or freebase rock cocaine, is etremely addictive ad can cause delirium, hallucinations, blurred vision, severe chest pains, muscle spasms, convulsions, and even death.

Possible long-term effects: Agitation, hostility, panic, aggression, and suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Paranoia is sometimes accompanied by both auditory and visual hallucinations.

Ampethamines (Speed, methamphetamine and some diet pills) 

Amphetamine use can cause rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination, repuced appetite, irritability, panic, and paranoia. Heavy Users are prone to violence, and psychotic behavior. 

Possible long-term effetcs: Agitation, hostility, panic, aggression, and suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Paranoia is sometimes accompanied by both auditory and visual hallucinations. 

Opiates (Codeine, Heroin, Morphine, and other opioid apin relievers)

Opiate use can cause the body to have diminishd pain reactions, drowsiness, respiratory depression and arrest, nausea, confusion, constipation, and possible coma or death.

Possible long-term effects: Restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, tremors, drug craving, severe depression, vomiting, blood pressure, and chills alternating with increased heart rate, flushing, and excessive sweating. 

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Short-term use of MDMA can cause increased tacticle sensitivity, enhanced self-confidence, energy bursts, feelings, of peacfulness, acceptance, and closeness with others, loss of inhibition, confusion, hallucinations, muscle tension, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, incresed body temperature, dehydration, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, chills and sweating, impaired memory, and learning. 

Possible long-term effects: Depression, sleep problems, liver and kidney damage, drug cravings, severe anxiety, permenantly impaired memory, and ability to learn. Effects also include agitation, hostility, panic, aggression, and suicidal or homicidal tendencies. paranoia is sometimes accompanied by both auditory and visual hallucinations.

Anabolic Steroids

Sterroid users often experience hypertension, cholesterol changes, livers cysts and cancer, kidney cancer, hostility and aggression, acne, premature stoppage of growth, and reproductive side effects for both sexes.

Possible long-term effects: High cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of coronary artery disease, strokes, and heart attacks.

Information on this web page should not be used as a substitute for talking with a professional in the field of alcohol and drugs or for consulting a medical professional. Individual differences often influence the body's reaction to a drug and should always be considered. Although every effort is made to keep the information on these pages current, new findings are made frequently, so checking the latest research is reccommended. The legal information provided is a general nature and should not be used in place of speaking with an attorney in the case of warrants.

Please visit Drugs of Abuse, a DEA resource guide, to find more information on the associated health risks of drug and alcohol use and abuse.