Ethanol, and other Alcohol Based Substances

 Overview:  Ethanol is a drug that affects and damages most body structures.  However, it is also one of the most consumed drugs in the world.  While it is legal in many countries, the social and economic costs of the drug are huge.  It is also the drug most substance abuse counselors will treat.  

One should note there are many other types of alcohols (of which ethanol is only one).  However, most other types of alcohol are poisonous and can blind or even kill the person who consumes them.  This section will generally cover how ethanol interacts with body and brain systems.  It will also cover tolerance, side effects of abuse, and impacts on general health.

Goal:  To provide an overview of ethanol and how it impacts body systems.

Objectives:  Through a chapter review and writing papers, you will begin to understand the impact of ethanol on the body and social systems.

Outcomes:  

   Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive drugs including alcohol and tobacco on the consumer and significant others.

Recognize the potential for substance use disorders to mimic a variety of medical and psychological disorders and the potential for medical and psychological disorders to co-exist with addiction and substance abuse.

Be familiar with medical and pharmaceutical resources in the treatment of addictive diseases and other substance-related disorders.

Describe warning signs, symptoms, and the course of substance use disorders.

Tasks:  

Read the alcohol section of in Chapter 4 of Julian.

Review Alcohol and Health, A Report to the Surgeon General at the following website:

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/10report/intro.pdf

After you have read these reports, write a review paper describing how alcohol affects the brain, nervous system, where is the point of impact, what neurotransmitters are being disrupted, etc.  Also include what strikes you about this drug.  The paper should be about 3-5 pages.  Be thorough and complete.  Send the paper to your instructor in the body of an email.  DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS

Resources:

The NIAAA website has a considerable amount of information.  Browse through the site for information.  

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov

Alcohol PowerPoint slides

Discussion  for Topic 2.