PSY 325 1st EditionExam # 3 Study Guide Lectures: 8-11 Lecture 8 (April 7)Alcohol and Other DrugsProhibitionists were victorious in 1919 with the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution ofthe U.S. This was not popular and created a large illegal market for alcohol. In 1934, the 18th amendment was repealed. The Prevalence of Alcohol Consumption TodayAdults 25-44 have the highest rates of drinking18-24 have highest binge and heavy drinking ratesNondrinkers= 35% of US adultsDrinkers= 65% of US adultsBinge drinking is common among college and high school studentsMarijuana has replaced alcohol as the most commonly used drug among high school students Older ages are associated with lower levels of drinkingMen are more likely than women to be current drinkers, binge and heavy drinkersThe more years of schooling, the more likely they are to drink (the opposite of the trend we saw with cigarettes)France, Italy and Greece incorporate alcohol into daily lifeThe effects of AlcoholAlcohol turns to vinegar when you drink it and when you do not. Two enzymes turn alcohol into vinegar or ACETIC ACID in the body. *Alcohol dehydrogenase—the first enzyme which is located in the liver and has no other known functionexcept to metabolize alcohol. It breaks it down into aldehydes (a very toxic chemical).*Aldehyde dehydrogenase—converts aldehyde into acetic acidThree outcomes correlated with alcohol metabolism1. increase in lactic acid2. increase in uric acid3. increase in fat of the liver and in the blood*Ethanol—the specific alcohol used in beverages. It is a poisonIntoxiction usually yields to unconsciousness which revents lethal poisoning.Factors in different affects of alcoholBody weightWomen produce higher blood alcohol levels with less drinking (because our stomachs tend to absorb alcohol more efficiently)Problems with alcohol- tolerance—more and more of the drug is required to produce the same affect- dependence—separate from tolerance and occurs when it becomes so incorporated with the functioning of the body’s cells that it becomes necessary for “normal” functioning- withdrawal—generally are the opposite of the drug’s effect (for alcohol, restlessness, irritability, and agitation)o Usually the first symptom to occur is tremor or the shakes.o *Delerium Tremens can occur with hallucinations, disorientation, and possibly convulsionso The process usually lasts within 2 days and a weeko Independent of tolerance- addiction—the combination of dependence with withdrawalHazards of AlcoholThere are direct and indirect hazards produced - Direct—solely the harmful physical effects o Liver damage—live is in charge of detoxifying alcohol Scarring of liver usually results in *cirrhosis—the accumulation of nonfunctional scar tissue in the liver. This is irreversible and a major cause of death in alcoholicso *Korsakoff Syndrome—the neurological dysfunction that is a result of prolonged heavy drinking. This is characterized by cognitive impairment, severe memory problems for recent events, disorientation and an inability to learn new information Thiamine (one of the B vitamins) not properly absorbedo The Cardiovascular System—the heart directly metabolizes ethanol, producing fatty acid ethyls. In large amounts, alcohol reduces the oxidation of fatty acids (the heart’s primaryfuel source) Can also depress the myocardium’s ability to contract which can lead to irregularities Heavy drinking is thus related to hypertensive and ischemic heart diseaseo Alcohol has a direct effect on pregnancy and the developing fetus in 2 ways.  1. Reduces fertility. Increases risk for amenorrhea. 2. Increased risk for developmental problems for the fetus(congenital malformations of the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems which produces *fetal alcohol spectrumdisorders.) The most severe form is *fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This is the leading cause of mental retardation in the world.  2. Light to moderate drinking increases the risk for miscarriages and stillbirths. 20% of women of childbearing age in the US fit the pattern of risky drinking. o Indirect Hazards—these are even more common. Unintentional injuries are the 4th leading cause of death in the US.  Motor vehicle crashes account for the largest number of alcohol related fatalities. 44,000 plus people a year Trait anger combined with alcohol Suicidal ideation and attempts Crime Drinking conveys a variety of risks sexually too- Indirect—harmful consequences that result from psychological and physiological impairments produced by alcohol- Both contribute to an increased mortality rate for heavy drinkersBenefits of AlcoholLight or moderate drinking (1-5 drinks a day) seem positively related to both reduced mortality and lower risk of many diseases. For some the benefits outweigh the risks, for others, they are more at risk from drinking. Binge drinking is not good, makes the risks outweigh the benefits.Reduced Cardiovascular Mortality—lower heart disease deaths and applies to people and cultures around the worldo not as strong against strokeo increased hemorrhagic stroke risk with drinking!o However, reduced risk for ischemic stroke (more common type) Overall drinking presents more risks than benefits to the population. Even with flaws though, studies have shown light to moderate drinking provided health benefitsReduces tendency to form blood clots, affects cholesterolAffects inflammation and insulin sensitivityOther Benefits of Alcohol Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who abstain Drinkers may be at lower risk for gallstones Has some effect on H. Pylori—a bacterium that infects the GI system and ivolved in gastritis etc.  May protect against cognitive defecits Lower risk for alzheimersNote that binge drinking, even occasionally fails to convey the benefits of occasional drinkingThe benefits appear during MIDDLE AGE. Young people are safer and healthier when they do not drinkGamma alcoholism—the loss of control once drinking beginsDelta Alcoholism—the inability to abstainWidespread acceptance of the disease model of Alcoholism. Doesn’t answer the question of why people begin to drink though.Many effects of alcohol are due more the expectancy than to any pharmacological effect of alcohol. Tension-Reduction Hypothesis—people drink because of tension-reducing effects. Expectancy plays a bigrole however. What people expect