Kids and AlcoholKids and AlcoholInformation and PreventionInformation and Prevention

February 2009

Training ObjectivesTraining ObjectivesRecognize the dangers associated Recognize the dangers associated

with children and adolescents with children and adolescents drinking alcohol. drinking alcohol.

Identify the short term and long term Identify the short term and long term effects of drinking alcohol. effects of drinking alcohol.

Recognize why children and teens Recognize why children and teens drink alcohol. drink alcohol.

Define binge drinking and alcohol Define binge drinking and alcohol poisoning. poisoning.

Identify the signs of someone who Identify the signs of someone who may be abusing alcohol.may be abusing alcohol.

Identify some things parents can do Identify some things parents can do to prevent underage drinking.to prevent underage drinking.

Kids and Alcohol: Kids and Alcohol: A Serious ProblemA Serious Problem

The number one drug of choice for The number one drug of choice for children and adolescents is alcohol. children and adolescents is alcohol.

Children who drink alcohol before the Children who drink alcohol before the age of 15, are five times more likely to age of 15, are five times more likely to have alcohol problems than those that have alcohol problems than those that start drinking after age 21. start drinking after age 21.

(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - SAMHSA)Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - SAMHSA)

Adults, age 21 or older, who had first Adults, age 21 or older, who had first used alcohol before age 21, were more used alcohol before age 21, were more likely to be classified with alcohol likely to be classified with alcohol dependence, than adults who had their dependence, than adults who had their first drink at age 21 (9.6% vs. 2.1%). first drink at age 21 (9.6% vs. 2.1%).

2.6 million young people do not know 2.6 million young people do not know that a person can die of an overdose of that a person can die of an overdose of alcohol. alcohol. (SAMHSA)(SAMHSA)

Twenty-eight percent (28%) of 15- to 20-Twenty-eight percent (28%) of 15- to 20-year-old drivers who were killed in year-old drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2005, had motor vehicle crashes in 2005, had been drinking.been drinking.

(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

A study has shown that students A study has shown that students diagnosed with alcohol abuse were diagnosed with alcohol abuse were four times more likely to experience four times more likely to experience major depression than those without major depression than those without an alcohol problem.an alcohol problem.

(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - NIAAA)(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - NIAAA) In 2005, about 10.8 million people In 2005, about 10.8 million people

ages 12-20 (28.2% of this age group) ages 12-20 (28.2% of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Nearly 7.2 million (18.8%) month. Nearly 7.2 million (18.8%) were binge drinkers and 2.3 million were binge drinkers and 2.3 million (6.0%) were heavy drinkers.(6.0%) were heavy drinkers.

(SAMHSA)(SAMHSA)

Facts About AlcoholFacts About AlcoholWhen alcohol is consumed, it is When alcohol is consumed, it is

absorbed by the stomach, enters the absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream and travels to all bloodstream and travels to all tissues. tissues.

The effects of alcohol depend on a The effects of alcohol depend on a variety of factors. A person’s weight, variety of factors. A person’s weight, sex, age and size are all factors sex, age and size are all factors affecting alcohol consumption.affecting alcohol consumption.

According to According to Kids HealthKids Health, alcohol is a , alcohol is a depressant. This means it slows the depressant. This means it slows the function of the central nervous system. function of the central nervous system.

Alcohol actually blocks some of the Alcohol actually blocks some of the messages trying to get to the brain. messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision and emotions, movement, vision and hearing.hearing.

In very small amounts, alcohol can help In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. The more alcohol a person anxious. The more alcohol a person drinks, the greater changes in the drinks, the greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication.brain, resulting in intoxication.

Effects of AlcoholEffects of AlcoholAccording to the According to the NIAAA,NIAAA, the following the following

are short-term effects of alcohol: are short-term effects of alcohol: Alcohol can make people lose their Alcohol can make people lose their

inhibitionsinhibitions. It is a main reason why . It is a main reason why many people drink alcohol. many people drink alcohol.

Moderate alcohol consumption can Moderate alcohol consumption can also lead to dizziness and also lead to dizziness and talkativeness.talkativeness.

Immediate effects of a large Immediate effects of a large amount of alcohol include slurred amount of alcohol include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea speech, disturbed sleep, nausea and vomiting. and vomiting.

Even low to moderate amounts of Even low to moderate amounts of alcohol consumption can lead to a alcohol consumption can lead to a significant impairment to the significant impairment to the judgment and coordination it takes judgment and coordination it takes to drive a vehicle. to drive a vehicle.

Low to moderate doses of alcohol Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also increase the incidence of can also increase the incidence of violent acts, including domestic violent acts, including domestic violence and child abuse. violence and child abuse.

Hangovers are another result of Hangovers are another result of alcohol, resulting in a headache, alcohol, resulting in a headache, thirst, nausea and fatigue. thirst, nausea and fatigue.

According to According to NIAAANIAAA, the following are , the following are long-term effects of prolonged use of long-term effects of prolonged use of alcohol: alcohol: Prolonged and heavy use of alcohol Prolonged and heavy use of alcohol

can lead to addiction. can lead to addiction. If someone suddenly stops drinking If someone suddenly stops drinking

after alcohol has been consumed on after alcohol has been consumed on a long-term basis, this is likely to a long-term basis, this is likely to produce withdrawal symptoms. produce withdrawal symptoms. These include hallucinations, These include hallucinations, convulsions, tremors and anxiety. convulsions, tremors and anxiety.

Long term effects of consuming Long term effects of consuming large amounts of alcohol, large amounts of alcohol, especially combined with poor especially combined with poor nutrition, can lead to permanent nutrition, can lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the damage to vital organs such as the liver and brain. liver and brain.

Mothers who drink alcohol while Mothers who drink alcohol while pregnant, may give birth to infants pregnant, may give birth to infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). (FAS).

Say Cheeeeese…..Say Cheeeeese…..

Drinking alcohol can make you gain Drinking alcohol can make you gain weight and give you bad breath as well weight and give you bad breath as well as…as…

Liver Failure caused by Alcoholism

36 year old, sores caused by diabetes and alcohol abuse.

Effects of Alcohol Use…Effects of Alcohol Use…

Bleeding Pancreas of an Alcoholic, he’s now dead!

How do you think these people turned out?

Why Do Kids Drink?Why Do Kids Drink? Experimentation with alcohol during the Experimentation with alcohol during the

teen years is common. teen years is common. Some reasons that teens use alcohol and Some reasons that teens use alcohol and

other drugs are curiosity, to feel good, to other drugs are curiosity, to feel good, to reduce stress and relax, to fit in and to feel reduce stress and relax, to fit in and to feel older. older.

Alcohol may seem harmless to many Alcohol may seem harmless to many teens. This may be due to the advertising teens. This may be due to the advertising messages they’ve watched. Many teens messages they’ve watched. Many teens have also seen their parents and other have also seen their parents and other adults drink socially or have a beer or adults drink socially or have a beer or wine with dinner. wine with dinner.

(Kids Health)(Kids Health)

Childhood DrinkingChildhood Drinking According to According to SAMHSASAMHSA, alcohol has a , alcohol has a

negative impact on health. It can damage negative impact on health. It can damage every organ in a person’s body. This every organ in a person’s body. This includes a child’s developing brain. Alcohol includes a child’s developing brain. Alcohol impacts coordination, impulse control, impacts coordination, impulse control, memory and judgment. memory and judgment.

Alcohol use in childhood is also correlated Alcohol use in childhood is also correlated with violence, risky sexual behavior, poor with violence, risky sexual behavior, poor academic performance, alcohol-related academic performance, alcohol-related driving incidents and other harmful driving incidents and other harmful behaviors. Alcohol use is also linked with behaviors. Alcohol use is also linked with youth deaths by drowning, suicide and youth deaths by drowning, suicide and homicide. homicide.

What is Binge Drinking?What is Binge Drinking?According to According to WebMDWebMD, at some teen , at some teen

parties, the emphasis is on drinking to parties, the emphasis is on drinking to get drunk. get drunk.

Binge drinking happens when someone Binge drinking happens when someone drinks more than four (for women) or drinks more than four (for women) or five (for men) alcoholic drinks in about five (for men) alcoholic drinks in about two hours. Binge drinking is the most two hours. Binge drinking is the most harmful type of drinking. harmful type of drinking.

Binge drinking can result in alcohol Binge drinking can result in alcohol poisoning.poisoning.

Alcohol PoisoningAlcohol Poisoning According to According to Kids HealthKids Health, alcohol , alcohol

poisoning can occur when large amounts poisoning can occur when large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time.of time.

Alcohol poisoning is the body becoming Alcohol poisoning is the body becoming poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. poisoned by large amounts of alcohol.

Violent vomiting is usually the first Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures and even death may result.seizures and even death may result.

Signs of Alcohol UseSigns of Alcohol UseAccording to the According to the Partnership for a Partnership for a

Drug Free AmericaDrug Free America, there are signs , there are signs parents can look for, if they think parents can look for, if they think their child is abusing alcohol: their child is abusing alcohol: Slurred speech or difficulty Slurred speech or difficulty

expressing a thought intelligiblyexpressing a thought intelligiblyLack of coordination, poor balance Lack of coordination, poor balance Can not walk a straight lineCan not walk a straight line

Can not focus on another person’s Can not focus on another person’s eyeseyes

Red eyes or flushed faceRed eyes or flushed faceMorning headaches, nausea, Morning headaches, nausea,

weakness or sweatinessweakness or sweatinessOdor of alcohol on breath or in Odor of alcohol on breath or in

sweatsweat

Signs Someone Is Using Drugs Signs Someone Is Using Drugs or Alcoholor Alcohol

The The Partnership for a Drug Free Partnership for a Drug Free AmericaAmerica lists the following signs that lists the following signs that someone who is using drugs or someone who is using drugs or alcohol may show. alcohol may show.

Physical Signs: Physical Signs: Sudden or dramatic weight lossSudden or dramatic weight lossSlurred or agitated speechSlurred or agitated speechBloodshot eyesBloodshot eyesSick more frequentlySick more frequentlyHas accidents or injuriesHas accidents or injuriesNeglected appearance / poor Neglected appearance / poor

hygienehygiene

Behavioral Signs: Behavioral Signs: Emotional instabilityEmotional instabilityFailure to fulfill responsibilities at Failure to fulfill responsibilities at

school or workschool or workMissing school or workMissing school or workComplaints from teachers or co-Complaints from teachers or co-

workersworkersReports of intoxication at school or Reports of intoxication at school or

workwork

Hyperactive or hyper-aggressiveHyperactive or hyper-aggressiveLying and covering up, secretive Lying and covering up, secretive

behaviorsbehaviorsLoss of interest in previously Loss of interest in previously

enjoyed activitiesenjoyed activitiesAvoiding eye contactAvoiding eye contactDepressionDepressionGoing out every nightGoing out every nightChange in friends or peer groupChange in friends or peer group

Change in clothing or appearanceChange in clothing or appearanceUnusual smells on clothing or Unusual smells on clothing or

breath. Heavy use of over-the-breath. Heavy use of over-the-counter preparations to reduce eye counter preparations to reduce eye reddening, nasal irritation or bad reddening, nasal irritation or bad breathbreath

Hidden stashes of alcoholHidden stashes of alcoholAlcohol missing from a parent’s Alcohol missing from a parent’s

supplysupply

Money and valuables missingMoney and valuables missingDisappearances for long periods of Disappearances for long periods of

timetimeRunning awayRunning awaySecretive phone callsSecretive phone callsUnusual containers or wrappersUnusual containers or wrappers

What Can Parents Do to Prevent What Can Parents Do to Prevent Underage Drinking?Underage Drinking?

If a parent finds alcohol in their If a parent finds alcohol in their child’s room or their backpack, or if child’s room or their backpack, or if they smell alcohol on their breath, they smell alcohol on their breath, they should not ignore it. they should not ignore it.

According to According to SAMHSASAMHSA, there are , there are many things parents can do to many things parents can do to prevent underage drinking. prevent underage drinking.

Parents need to learn the warning signs Parents need to learn the warning signs and the ways alcohol can harm a and the ways alcohol can harm a child’s mind, body and emotions. child’s mind, body and emotions.

Parents should talk early and often with Parents should talk early and often with their child. Children should know what their child. Children should know what their parents expect of them, if they are their parents expect of them, if they are offered alcohol at anytime or anywhere. offered alcohol at anytime or anywhere.

Parents need to get involved in their Parents need to get involved in their child’s activities. Children should be child’s activities. Children should be encouraged to participate in supervised encouraged to participate in supervised groups, clubs and events that are fun groups, clubs and events that are fun and alcohol free. and alcohol free.

Children often see their parents as role Children often see their parents as role models. It is important for parents to models. It is important for parents to think about what they say and how they think about what they say and how they act in front of their children. act in front of their children.

Children must be taught how to choose Children must be taught how to choose friends wisely and how to form positive friends wisely and how to form positive relationships. relationships.

Parents should set the rules, such as no Parents should set the rules, such as no riding with anyone who has been drinking. riding with anyone who has been drinking. If children and adolescents find If children and adolescents find themselves in that situation, parents themselves in that situation, parents should assure them they will come and should assure them they will come and get them or help them find a safe way get them or help them find a safe way home.home.

SAMHSA reminds parents that the SAMHSA reminds parents that the earlier they start talking to their earlier they start talking to their children about drinking, the more children about drinking, the more influence they may have on their influence they may have on their values and decisions. values and decisions.

Several short conversations are Several short conversations are better than a long lecture. better than a long lecture.

Children need to know their parents Children need to know their parents are proud of them when they make are proud of them when they make good decisions. good decisions.

Kids HealthKids Health offers more tips for parents to offers more tips for parents to try: try: Keep tabs on where their children go. Keep tabs on where their children go. Know the parents of their child's friends. Know the parents of their child's friends. Parents should aParents should always make sure they have lways make sure they have

a phone number where they can reach their a phone number where they can reach their child. child.

Kids should Kids should check in regularly, when they check in regularly, when they are away from home. are away from home.

When spending an extended length of time When spending an extended length of time away from a parent, children should check away from a parent, children should check in periodically with a phone call, email or in periodically with a phone call, email or visit home. visit home.

Resources for FamiliesResources for Families If a parent finds out their child has an If a parent finds out their child has an

alcohol problem, there are resources such alcohol problem, there are resources such as: as: SAMHSASAMHSA National Drug Information National Drug Information

Treatment and Referral HotlineTreatment and Referral Hotline800-662-HELP (4357) • dasis3.samhsa.gov 800-662-HELP (4357) • dasis3.samhsa.gov Information, support, treatment options, Information, support, treatment options,

and referrals to local rehab centers for and referrals to local rehab centers for any drug or alcohol problem. Operates 24 any drug or alcohol problem. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.hours, seven days a week.

AlateenAlateen800-344-2666 • al-anon.alateen.org 800-344-2666 • al-anon.alateen.org AlateenAlateen is a recovery program for young is a recovery program for young

people which helps families and friends people which helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with a problem drinker.living with a problem drinker.

National Youth Crisis HotlineNational Youth Crisis Hotline 800-442-HOPE (4673) • 1800hithome.com800-442-HOPE (4673) • 1800hithome.com

Provides counseling and referrals to Provides counseling and referrals to local drug treatment centers, shelters, local drug treatment centers, shelters, and counseling services. Operates 24 and counseling services. Operates 24 hours, seven days a week.hours, seven days a week.

For More Information Visit These For More Information Visit These Websites:Websites:

Kids HealthKids Health, , http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohhttp://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.htmlol/alcohol/alcohol.html

MedicineNet.comMedicineNet.com, , http://www.medicinenet.com/alcoholhttp://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_teens/article.htm_and_teens/article.htm

Partnership for a Drug Free AmericaPartnership for a Drug Free America, , http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/AlcoholGuide/Alcohol

SADDSADD, http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm, http://www.sadd.org/stats.htm

SAMHSASAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), Health Services Administration), http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo99http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo992/ 2/ http://www.family.samhsa.gov/get/warnhttp://www.family.samhsa.gov/get/warnAlcohol.aspxAlcohol.aspx

WebMDWebMD, , http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/ahttp://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/teens-and-alcohollcohol-abuse/teens-and-alcohol

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and AlcoholismAlcoholism, , http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Missouri Department of Social Services Missouri Department of Social Services State Technical Assistance TeamState Technical Assistance Team

Address:Address: PO Box 208PO Box 208

Jefferson City, MO Jefferson City, MO 65102-020865102-0208

Telephone: Telephone: (573) 751-5980(573) 751-5980(800) 487-1626(800) 487-1626(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday) Monday – Friday)

Email:Email:    dls.stat@dss.mo.gov