The Truth about Alcohol

241 Pages·2010·15.15 MB·English

by  Barry Youngerman

the
TRUTH
about
Alcohol
Second Edition
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Barry Youngerman R b 1 N Golden MD -d
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THE TRUTH ABOUT
ALCOHOL
SECOND EDITION
Robert N. Golden, M.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
General Editor
Fred L. Peterson, Ph.D.
University of Texas-Austin
General Editor
Barty Youngerman
Principal Author
Heath Dingwell
Contributing Author
William Kane, Ph.D.
University of New Mexico
Adviser to the First Edition
Mark J. Kittleson, Ph.D.
Southern 111inois University
Adviser to the First Edition
Richelle Rennegarbe, Ph.D.
McKendree College
Adviser
liFacts On File
An imprillr uf lnfolxu• Publilhillg
The Tmth About Alcohol, Second Edition
Copyright® 2010 by DW.J BOOKS LLC
All rights rese1ved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Youngerman, Barry.
The truth about alcohol/ Barry Youngerman, principal author ; Heath Dingwell,
contributing author ; Robert N. Golden, general editor, Fred Peterson, general editor ;
Richelle Rennegaibe, adv;sor. - 2nd ed.
p. em.
Rev. ed. of: Truth about alcohol I Mark .1. Kittleson, general editor. c2005.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8160-7639-0 (hardcover alk paper)
ISBN-13: 9'18-1-4381-3367-6 (e-book)
ISBN-10: 0-8160-'1639-1 (hardcover alk. paper) 1. TeenagerS····J~Jcohol use. 2.
Alcoholism-Prevention. I. Dingwell, Heath. II. Golden, Robe1t N. III. Peterson, Fred.
IV Truth about alcohol. V. Title.
RJ506.D7B17B 2010
362.292'0B35-dc22
2009053476
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Excerpts included herewith have been reprinted by permission of the copyright hold·
ers; the author has made every effort to contact copyright holders. TI1e publishers
will be glad to rectify, in future editions, any errors or omissions brought to their
notice.
Text design by David Strelecky
Composition by Mary Susan Ryan-Flynn
Cover printed by i\:tt Print, Taylor, Pa.
Book printed and bound by Maple Press, York, Pa.
Date printed: September 2010
Printed in the United States of 1\merica
10 9 B 7 6 5 4 :3 2 1
lhis book is printed on acid·· free paper.
CONTENTS
List of Illustrations v
Preface vii
How to Use This Book ix
Addictive Behaviors and Alcohol 1
A-to-Z Entries
Advertising and Counteradvertising Campaigns 17
Alcohol, History of 21
Alcohol Abuse, The Risks of 28
Alcohol and Depression 38
Alcohol and Disease 43
Alcohol and Violence 52
Alcoholism, Causes of 62
Alcohol Poisoning 68
Binge Drinking Among Teenagers 73
Birth Defects and Alcohol 79
Children of Alcoholics 83
Choices, Responsible 88
Codependency 93
Drinking and Driving 99
Drinking and Drugs 108
Drinking on College Campuses 118
Effects of Alcohol on the Body 130
Ethnicity and Alcohol 139
Hangover 145
Law and Drinking, The 151
Peer Pressure and Alcohol 157
Recovery and Treatment 161
Risk Taking 171
Screening for Alcoholism 175
Self-Help Programs 180
Sexual Behavior and Alcohol 187
Tolerance and Reverse Tolerance 196
Underage Drinking 200
Withdrawal, Effects of 204
Hotlines and Help Sites 209
Glossary 212
Index 221
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
One Drink Equals ... 25
Adolescent Depression and Alcohol Use 40
Youth Fighting, by Alcohol Use Level 53
Trends in Binge Drinking 69
Alcohol Use by Age Group 76
Drinking and Driving by Age 89
Drivers and Motorcycle Riders Involved in Fatal Crashes,
by Age and Driver's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 100
Leading Causes of Death for People Ages 15-19 101
Alcohol and Drug Use 110
Drinking Behavior by Gender, 2007 111
Heavy Drinking by College Enrollment, 2007 119
Harmful Effects of Alcohol on Nutrition 133
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Alcohol Use 140
Treatment for Substance Abuse 166
The Twelve Steps 183
Role of Alcohol in Crimes of Violence 189
How Tolerance Can Be Learned 197
v
Alcohol's Effect During Exposure and Withdrawal 206
The Kindling Process 208
PREFACE
TIIE lRUTII ABOUT series-updated and expanded to include 20
volumes-seeks to identify the most pressing health issues and social
challenges confronting our nation's youth. Adolesc:enc:e is the period
between the onset of puberty and the attainment of adult roles and
responsibilities. Adolesc:enc:e is also a time of storm, stress, and risk
taking for many young people. During adolesc:enc:e, a person's health is
influenced by biological, psyc:hologic:al, and social fac:tors, all of whic:h
interact with one's environment-family, peers, sc:hool, and community.
It is a time when teenagers experience profound c:hanges.
With the latest available statistics and new insights that have
emerged from ongoing research, the Truth About series seeks to help
young people build a foundation of information as they fac:e some of the
challenges that will affec:t their health and well-being. These challenges
inc:lude high-risk behaviors, suc:h as alc:ohol, tobac:c:o, and other drug
use; sexual behaviors that c:an lead to adolescent pregnancy and sexu
ally transmitted diseases (STDs), suc:h as HN/AlDS; mental health c:on
c:erns, suc:h as depression and suicide; learning disorders and disabilities,
whic:h are often associated with sc:hool failures and sc:hool drop-outs;
serious family problems, inc:luding domestic: violence and abuse; and
lifestyle fac:tors, whic:h increase adolescents' risk for noncommunicable
diseases, suc:h as diabetes and c:ardiovasc:ular disease, among others.
Broader underlying fac:tors also influence adolescent health. These
inc:lude soc:ioec:onomic: circ:umstanc:es, suc:h as poverty, available health
c:are, and the political and social situations in whic:h young people live.
Although these fac:tors c:an negatively affec:t adolescent health and well
being, as well as sc:hool performance, many of these negative health
outcomes are preventable with the proper knowledge and information.
With prevention in mind, the writers and editors of eac:h topic:al
volume in the Truth About series have tried to provide c:utting-edge
information that is supported by research and scientific: evidence. Vital
fac:ts are presented that inform youth about the challenges experienced
vii
viii The Truth About Alcohol
during adolesc:enc:e, while special features seek to dispel c:ommon myths
and misconceptions. Some of the main topic:s explored inc:lude abuse,
alc:ohol, death and dying, divorce, drugs, eating disorders, family life,
fear and depression, rape, sexual behavior and unplanned pregnancy,
smoking, and violence. All volumes discuss risk-taking behaviors and
their c:onsequenc:es, healthy c:hoic:es, prevention, available treatments,
and where to get help.
In this new edition of the series, we also have added eight new titles
in areas of increasing signific:anc:e to today's youth. ADHD, or atten
tion-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disorders are diag
nosed with increasing frequency, and many students have observed or
know of c:lassmates receiving treatment for these conditions, even if
they have not themselves received this diagnosis. Gambling is gaining
c:urrenc:y in our culture, as casinos open and expand in many parts
of the country, and the Internet offers easy ac:c:ess for this addictive
behavior. Another c:onsequenc:e of our increasingly "online" society,
unfortunately, is the presence of online predators. Environmental
hazards represent yet another danger, and it is important to provide
unbiased information about this topic: to our youth. Suicide, whic:h for
many years has been a "silent epidemic:," is now gaining recognition as
a major public: health problem throughout the life span, inc:luding the
teenage and young-adult years. We now also offer an overview of ill
ness and disease in a volume that inc:ludes the major conditions of par
ticular interest and c:onc:ern to youth. In addition to illness, however, it
is essential to emphasize health and its promotion, and this is especially
apparent in the volumes on physical fitness and stress management.
It is our intent that eac:h book serve as an ac:c:essible, authoritative
resource to whic:h young people c:an turn for ac:c:urate and meaningful
answers to their specific: questions. The series c:an help them research
particular problems and provide an up-to-date evidence base. It is also
designed with parents, teachers, and counselors in mind, so that they
have a reliable resource that they c:an share with youth who seek their
guidance.
Finally, we have tried to provide unbiased fac:ts rather than subjec
tive opinions. Our goal is to help elevate the health of the public: with
an emphasis on its most precious component-its youth. As young
people fac:e the challenges of an increasingly complex world, we as
educators want them to be armed with the most powerful weapon
available-knowledge.
Robert N. Golden, M.D.
Fred L. Peterson, Ph.D.
General Editors
HOW TO
USE THIS BOOK
NOTE TO STUDENTS
Knowledge is power. By possessing knowledge you have the ability
to make decisions, ask follow-up questions, or know where to go to
obtain more information. In the world of health that is power! That
is the purpose of this book-to provide you the power you need to
obtain unbiased, accurate information and The Truth About Alcohol.
Topics in each volume of The Truth About are arranged in alpha
betical order, from A to Z. Each of these entries defines its topic and
explains in detail the particular issue. At the end of most entries are
cross-references to related topics. A list of all topics by letter can
be found in the table of contents or at the back of the book in the
index.
How have these books been compiled? First, the publisher worked
with me to identify some of the country's leading authorities on key
issues in health education. These individuals were asked to identify
some of the major concerns that young people have about such topics.
The writers read the literature, spoke with health experts, and incor
porated their own life and professional experiences to pull together
the most up-to-date information on health issues, particularly those
of interest to adolescents and of concern in Healthy People 2010.
Throughout the alphabetical entries, the reader will find sidebars
that separate fact from fiction. There are question-and-answer boxes
that attempt to address the most common questions that youth ask
about sensitive topics. In addition, readers will find a special feature
called "Teens Speak"-case studies of teens with personal stories
related to the topic in hand.
ix