Alcohol : An Abuse

Amit Jalan PGPBM, ISB&M,KOLKATA

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL USE

Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (Coronary Heart Disease ,Stroke , Hypertension) Increased risk of cancer:(liver, stomach, colon, pancreas, breast, mouth , throat) Impaired immune system Malnutrition Reproductive problems

BEHAVIORAL CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL USE

y Contributes to 50% of all

motor vehicle fatalities

y Contributes to unsafe sex

and increased risk of AIDS

y Contributes to risky behavior

and accidental death

SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL USE ON CAMPUS

80% of campus vandalism involved alcohol 70% of violent behavior on campus involved alcohol 75% of men and 55% of women involved in acquaintance rape were under the influence of alcohol 40% of poor academic performance at college has been linked to drinking 7% of first year dropouts are related to alcohol Alcohol intake is inversely related to GPA

Why People Start Drinking ?

y Peer pressure y Need to belong and be accepted y Media depiction of drinking y Easy access (often at home) y Absence of religious attachment y Cultural / sociological traditions y Social "lubrication" y Makes one "feel good"

Alcohol Content in Drinks

All three have the same alcohol content despite different volumes Beer: 4% alcohol X 12 oz alcohol Wine: 12% alcohol X 4 oz alcohol Whiskey: 40% alcohol X 1.25 oz = = = .48 oz .48 oz .5 oz alcohol

DID YOU KNOW ?

 Liver can process .25 oz of alcohol per hour (2 hours to process one    

 

drink) Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) decreases by about .015% per hour 62.5 million alcohol users estimated in India The mean age of initiation of alcohol use has decreased from 23.36 years in 1950 to 1960 to 19.45 years in 1980 to 1990. Taxes generated from alcohol production and sale is the major source of revenue in most states (Rs.25,000 crores) and has been cited as a reason for permitting alcohol sale. Four states Gujarat ,Mizoram ,Manipur and Nagaland - have enforced prohibition. Sale of alcohol has been growing steadily at 6% and is estimated to grow at the rate of 8% per year.

Limit number of drinks Drink less than 1 per 90 min. Sip slowly Eat lots of protein/starch Avoid carbonated drinks Measure drinks carefully Don't drive if in toxic