DRUNK DRIVING AND DRUGGED PREVENTION MONTH

DRUNK DRIVING AND DRUGGED PREVENTION MONTH

There are approximately 79,000 deaths from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. Excessive alcohol use is the 3 rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation. This makes excessive alcohol use responsible for 2.3 million years of potential life lost annually or 30 years of potential life lost for each death. Information taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. Alcohol Use and Health. 30 th of November 2010.

Standard Alcohol Drinks are measured by the amount of alcohol they contain. In the United States, a standard drink is any drink that contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This is measured in the following drinks: 12-ounces of regular beer or a wine cooler 8-ounces of malt liquor 5-ounces of wine 1.5-ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, etc.) Information taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. The Standard Measure of Alcohol. 30 th of November 2010.

Definitions of Drinking Patterns Binge Drinking Women drinking 4 or more drinks during a single setting Men drinking 5 or more drinks during a single setting Heavy Drinking Women drinking more than 1 drink per day on average Men drinking more than 2 drinks per day on average Excessive Drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking or both. It is believed that most people who binge drink are not alcoholics or alcohol dependent. If you decide to consume alcohol it should be in moderation. According to health advice, this would be no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. Information provided by Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. 30 th of November 2010. Definitions of Patterns of Drinking Alcohol.

People who should abstain from Alcohol Pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol. Younger than age 21. Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink. Suffering from a medical condition that may be worsened by alcohol. Driving, planning to drive or participating in other activities requiring coordination, skill and alertness. Information taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. Definitions of Patterns of Drinking Alcohol. 30 th of November 2010.

According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that are sometimes unforeseen: Unintentional injuries, including traffic injuries, falls, drownings, burns, etc. Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, multiple partners and increased risk of sexual assault and sexually transmitted diseases. Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women, including physical and mental birth defects among children Alcohol poisoning, resulting from high blood alcohol levels that can cause a loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma and even death. Information taken from CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. Immediate Health Risks. 29 th of November 2010.

Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy. Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety and suicide. Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems. Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Liver diseases including, alcohol hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc. Other gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis. Table taken from the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. Long-Term Health Risks. 29 th of November 2010.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): 37,261 people died in traffic crashes in 2008 in the United States. This includes an estimated 11,773 people who died in alcohol impaired driving crashes. Drunk Driving was responsible for 32% of all traffic fatalities last year. This means that on average someone is killed in an alcohol impaired driving crash every 45 minutes in the United States. Information taken from Century Council website: http://www.centurycouncil.org/learn-the-facts/drunk-drivingresearch. 29 th November 2010. Drunk Driving Research.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): In alcohol-impaired crashes, there were 1,510 deaths for persons under 21 years of age. This is a decrease of almost 71% as compared to 1982 s statistic of 5,215 deaths for persons under 21 years of age as a result of alcohol. About two young people are killed in alcohol related driving incidents for every 100,000 Americans under the age of 21. This has declined 33% over the past decade. Information taken from Century Council website: http://www.centurycouncil.org/learn-the-facts/drunk-driving-research. 29 th November 2010. Drunk Driving Research.

Studies show that nearly 10 million youths, ages 12 to 20, have consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. 39% of Eighth Graders 58% of Tenth Graders 72% of Twelfth Graders Have all reported that they have tried alcohol at least once in their lifetime Information taken from Century Council website: http://www.centurycouncil.org/learn-the-facts/drunk-drivingresearch. 29 th November 2010. Drunk Driving Research.

Men are more likely to drink excessively as compared to women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Approximately 62% of adult men reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. Men average about 12.5 binge drinking episodes per person per year, while women average about 2.7 binge drinking episodes per year. It is approximated that 17% of men and 8% of women will be alcohol dependent in their lifetime. Charts and Information provided by the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mens-health.htm. Fact Sheets on Men s Health. 29 th of November 2010. Injuries and deaths as a result of excessive alcohol use According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Men consistently have higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women. Men are almost twice as likely as women to have been intoxicated as drivers in fatal motor-vehicle traffic incidents Excessive alcohol consumption also increases aggression and the risks of physically assaulting another person. Men are more likely to commit suicide than women, and are more likely to have been drinking prior to committing suicide.

Reproductive Health National studies show that about 6 out of every 10 women of child-bearing age (18-44) use alcohol, and about 1/3 of women in this group binge drink. In 2008, a study showed that about 7.2% of pregnant women used alcohol. Excessive drinking has been shown to disrupt menstrual cycles and increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery. Women who binge drink are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors as outlined previously. Alcohol and Pregnancy Women who drink alcohol while pregnant increase the risk of having a baby with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, the most well known and severe form being Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which causes mental retardation and birth defects. Studies have shown that approximately 1 in 20 pregnant women drank excessively before finding out they were pregnant. Research indicates that women who consume alcohol while pregnant are increase the risk of having a baby die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Information taken from CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mens-health.htm. Fact Sheets on Women s Health. 29 th of November 2010.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, an addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive dug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain, including the structure and how it works. These changes can be longterm and very harmful to the behavior of the abuser. Information provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/addiction.html. Drug Abuse and Addiction. 30 th of November 2010.

To Feel Good: To Feel Better: To Do Better: Curiosity or Peer Pressure: Most abused drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure. The sensation of euphoria has been communicated as a feeling during the usage of drugs, however, different drugs may produce additional feelings of power, selfconfidence and increased energy. Some people may suffer from anxiety, especially in social situations, as well as having stress-related disorders and depression. These types may begin abusing drugs to alleviate feelings of distress. Some people may feel an overwhelming desire or pressure to improve their athletic or cognitive performance, and may turn to drugs as a way to enhance themselves. Many adolescents will fall under this category because of the overwhelming pressure to fit in. They are more likely to engage in dangerous behavior. Information provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/addiction.html. Drug Abuse and Addiction. 30 th of November 2010.

Commonly Abused Drugs Drug Type Found In Common Commercial/ Street Names Tobacco and Alcohol Nicotine, Beer, Wine and Liquor Cigarettes, Cigars, Smokeless Tobacco, Beer Wine and Liquor Cannabinoids Hashish and Marijuana Hash, Hemp, Dope, Pot, Weed, etc. Opioids Stimulants Club Drugs (most of the time used in sexual assaults) Heroin, Opium and OTC Cold Medicine and Antihistamine Cocaine, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine MDMA, Flunitrazepam and GHB Brown Sugar, Smack, Dope, etc. Coke, Crack, Bennies, Speed, Meth, Chalk, etc. Ecstasy, Uppers, Roofinol, Roofies, Liquid Ecstasy, etc. Dissociative Drugs Ketamine, PCP, Dextromethorphan Valium, Angel Dust, Found in some cough and cold medicines Hallucinogens LSD, Mescaline, Psilocybin Acid, Blue Heaven, Cactus, Shrooms, etc. Other Compounds Anabolic Steroids and Inhalants Oxandrin, Anadrol, Roids, Juice, Solvents, Gases, Whippets Information provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse: http://www.nida.nih.gov/drugpages/drugsofabuse.html. Commonly Abused Drugs. 30 th of November 2010.

Overall Drug overdose death rates in the U.S. States in the Appalachian regions and the Southwest have the highest rates. The highest drug overdose death rate was found in West Virginia with a rate of 21.1 per 100,000 of the population. Georgia s rate of drug overdose was a rate of 8.6 per 100,000 of the population. West Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Drug Overdose Death Rates per 100,000 population Alabama Virginia Kentucky Tennessee Georgia Florida 7.1 8.6 10.2 10.0 10.5 14.2 13.6 15.1 21.1 Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/injury. Unintentional Drug Poisoning in the United States July 2010. 30 th of November 2010.

Preventing Drug Abuse In most cases, individuals who suffer from addiction have additional medical issues, including lung disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer and mental disorders, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is important to understand that early use of drugs increases a person s chances of having a more serious drug abuse problem later in life. Risk of drug abuse increases greatly during times of transition or change, such as a new school, moving, divorce, etc. Teens especially are at risk because their judgment and decision skills are constantly being tested, and as a result their ability to accurately assess a potential risk may not be as great. Most of the time teens who abuse alcohol or drugs have family, school, academic and health problems. Information taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website: http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/strategy.html. 30 th of November 2010. Preventing Drug Abuse: The Best Strategy.

Treatment and Recovery 1. Can Addiction be treated Successfully? 2. Can Addiction be cured? 3. Does relapse to drug abuse mean treatment has failed? 4. What are the principles of effective addiction treatment? 1. Addiction is treatable. Scientific studies and discoveries have helped many individuals quit abusing drugs and resume normal lives. 2. Addiction is not a life sentence, and can be managed successfully with the proper treatment and help. Treatment helps people battle the addiction s effects on their brain and behavior and helps them take back control of their lives. 3. Relapsing to drug abuse is a likely possibility. Drug addiction has strong physiological and behavioral effects, so a relapse does not indicate that the treatment failed. It does indicate that treatment needs to be followed more closely and that an alternative treatment may be needed. 4. According to the NIDA, research shows that combining treatment medications with behavioral therapy is the best way to battle addiction and ensure recovery. Just as with any other treatment, it is important to understand that each treatment will be tailored to fit the individual s needs and address their problems. Information taken from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website: http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/treatment.html. Treatment and Recovery. 30 th of November 2010.

Conclusion The websites below are great sources of information, but should not be used solely as an alternative to treating an addiction. Drug addiction and alcohol addiction are serious medical conditions and should be treated accordingly. If you have questions concerning addiction or treatment options, please contact a medical professional. http://www.drugabuse.gov http://www.nhtsa.gov/ http://www.cdc.gov