Notes on Alcohol

I lead a study on alcohol some time ago. I have found the notes for that study. Maybe they would be useful

Alcohol Study Notes


Alcohol is a drug.

Effects of Alcohol Intoxication are…
• General Effect
Alcohol is a DOWNER that reduces activity in the central nervous system. The alcohol intoxicated person exhibits loose muscle tone, loss of fine motor coordination, and often has a staggering "drunken" gait.
• Eyes
The eyes may appear somewhat "glossy" and pupils may be slow to respond to stimulus. At high doses pupils may become constricted.
• Vital Signs
At intoxicating doses, alcohol can decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure and respiration rate, and result in decreased reflex responses and slower reaction times.
• Skin
Skin may be cool to the touch (but the user may feel warm), profuse sweating may accompany alcohol use.
• Observation
Loose muscle tone, loss of fine motor coordination, odor of alcohol on the breath, and a staggering "drunken" gait.

Specific Effects
(related to the Blood Alcohol concentration (BAC))
The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly influenced by individual variations among users. Some users may become intoxicated at a much lower Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level than is shown.
• 0.02-0.03 BAC: No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Depressant effects are not apparent. Illegal for under 20 year old to drive in NZ
• 0.04-0.06 BAC: Feeling of well-being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of reasoning and memory, lowering of caution.
• 0.07-0.09 BAC: Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Judgement and self- control are reduced, and caution, reason and memory are impaired. Illegal for over 20 year old to drive in NZ
• 0.10-0.125 BAC: Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgement. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time and hearing will be impaired. Euphoria.
• 0.13-0.15 BAC: Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria is beginning to appear.
• 0.16-0.20 BAC: Dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk."
• 0.25 BAC: Needs assistance in walking; total mental confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and some vomiting.
• 0.30 BAC: Loss of consciousness.
• 0.40 BAC and up: Onset of coma, possible death due to respiratory arrest.


The law on alcohol in NZ is…

Driving

If you are going to drink, then find an alternative way to get home rather than driving.

Research indicates that driving after consuming any level of alcohol, impairs your ability.

Blood Alcohol Levels

There are two ways of assessing the alcohol limit for driving:
• Breath - Breath testing measures the number of micrograms of alcohol (mcgs) per litre of breath
• Blood - A blood test measures the number of milligrams of alcohol (mgs) per 100 millilitres (mls) of blood
Although the measures appear different, they are essentially the same. The both measure the same level of alcohol for drink driving purposes.

Breath testing is used for both screening and evidential purposes. Blood testing can be used as a check on the accuracy of teh breath testing. The Police can require a blood test if the person refuses to do a breath test.

Current legal limits
• Drivers under 20 years - 150mcg breath or 30mg blood
• Drivers over 20 years - 400mcg breath or 80mg blood

Underage Drinking

If you are under 18 and are with your parent or legal guardian you can...
• drink responsibly in a private home or at a private function - like a family BBQ or 21st
• go into supervised area of bars and pubs (that's most bars - but to be sure - check the licence)
• Drink in a public place - except where there is an alcohol ban
If you are under 18 (without your parent or guardian) you can't...
• drink in a public place
• go into pubs and bars
• buy booze or get an adult to buy you booze
• carry a fake ID or use someone else's
A person who is less than 18 can only be supplied with alcohol by their parent or legal guardian. Things are being toughened up for underage drinkers and those who sell or supply them alcohol. Penalties for breaking the law have increased.

Legal guardian (as defined by the Guardianship Act) means exactly that. It does not include other family members including grandparents, uncles and aunties or older brothers, sisters, spouses or partners. Neither does it include sports coaches or anyone else temporarily acting in the place of a parent.




Drinking in Public

Over 18's

Drinking in public places is legal unless there is an alcohol ban in place. Alcohol bans are becoming increasing popular in New Zealand. Towns and cities around the country are introducing them in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related crime, violence and public disorder in public places.

An alcohol ban is a prohibition on possession or consumption liquor for specific days, hours and public locations. These are set by local councils – usually as a by-law.

For example, in Cuba Street Wellington during the Cuba Street Carnival, or as in some areas between 6pm and 6am Friday, Saturday and Sunday all year on named streets.

In some areas liquor bans are used only for specific events – e.g., New Year’s Eve.

A liquor ban gives police power to search a person for alcohol, seize any found and destroy or confiscate it. They are just one tool available to police to assist them to deal with alcohol related crime and disorder.

The bans aim to address local authorities' concerns about public drinking in particular problem areas, such as:
• town centres
• shopping centre car parks
• beaches
Anyone knowingly disobeying the ban can be fined, although the police must first warn people who are in breach and give them an opportunity to leave the area or to cease drinking and/or carrying alcohol by tipping it out.

Under 18's

Even if there is no alcohol ban in place, under the Summary Offences Act it is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to consume or possess alcohol in a public place unless their parent or legal guardian accompanies them.

If they break this law they may have to pay an infringement fee of $200 or a fine of up to $300. The police can also confiscate the alcohol. It is legal for parents or guardians to allow teenagers to drink at home or at other private gatherings.



What does the bible say…

Positive
• Medicinal (Prov 31:6-7)
• Part of banquets (Est 5:6, Est 1:7; Isa 5:12; Dan 5:1-4; Jhn 2:3)
• Paul recommends it (1 Tim 5:23)
• Part of meals in general (Matt 26:27-29)
• A symbol of Jesus’ blood
• Jesus made it (John 2:9-10)

Control
• Excessive usage disqualifies you from eldership
• Kings are not allowed to drink (why do you think that was???)
• Excessive use:

o Is forbidden (Eph 5:18)
o Infuriates the temper (Prov 20:1)
o Impairs the health (1Sa 25:37; Hsa 4:11)
o Impairs the judgment and memory (Pro 31:4-5; Isa 28:7)
o Inflames the passions (Isa 5:11)
o Leads to sorrow and contention (Pro 23:29-30)
o Leads to remorse (Pro 23:31-32)


Obeying the law
• Romans 13:1-2
Respect for Authority
Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.

Bring the salt and the light to the world
• Ephesians 5:8-11

For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them.





Personal questions…
Why do you drink?
What is the goal? What/who do you do it for?

What is an addiction?
Are you addicted? Seriously…
Can you go to a party and not drink?
Can you go two months without drinking at all?
If your answer is no, are you concerned that you are addicted?

Is it important that people obey laws?


Interesting Stuff…


Some tips for Safer Drinking:
• Quench your thirst with a non-alcoholic drink.
• Eat before you drink, especially if you plan to party.
• Drink alcohol slowly.
• Alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Set a limit for yourself and stick to it.
• Arrange safe transport home.
• Pick one type of alcoholic drink and stick to that. Mixing drinks increases the effects and generally leads to vomiting and increased intensity of ‘hangovers’.

Stuff

• A standard drink is a 100ml glass of wine, a nip of spirits or a 330ml glass of beer
• In any one week, drink no more than
• 21 standard drinks (for adult men)
• 14 standard drinks (for adult women)
• On any one drinking occasion drink no more than
• six standard drinks (for adult men)
• four standard drinks (for adult women)
• A standard drink has 70 calories in the alcohol alone. (for you point counters out there!!!)
• Alcohol, technically speaking, is a chemical compound, formula = C2H5OH. Most of the family of alcohols are totally poisonous to the human body, but the kind we drink, called ethyl alcohol, is tolerable in small amounts.
• Research suggests the more alcohol some women drink, the greater their risk of developing breast cancer.
• Alcohol mixes badly with almost any type of medication
o Antidiabetic medications.
o Antihistamines.
o Antipsychotic medications.
o Antiseizure medications.
o Cardiovascular medications.
o Narcotic pain relievers.
o Nonnarcotic pain relievers.
o Sedatives and hypnotics ("sleeping pills").