Alcohol

1
Alcohol Other Drugs in Special Populations

• PPR 130

2
Past Research

• Research on drinking and other drug-taking
  behaviors has been conducted on mostly white,
  American males.
• Assumed research could be applied to
• Females
• Minority populations
• New studies reveal problems differ in these
  populations

3
Drug Use and Abuse in Woman

• Fewer woman smoke and use illicit drugs than man
  do.
• Gender gap is quickly closer
• of women smokers increasing
• or drug addicted women doubled between 1960 and
  1980
• Men and women abuse prescription drugs almost
  equally
• Among adolescents, both sexes are equally likely
  to use alcohol and illegal drugs

4
Drug Use and Abuse in Women

• Women and drinking
• Drink less than men
• Suffer harsher effects than men
• Female alcohol abuse may result in
• Suppressed hormonal activity
• Increased risk of breast cancer
• Increased risk of stroke
• Increased risk of osteoporosis

5
Drug Use and Abuse in Women

• Risk factors for female problem drinking
• Family history of problem drinking
• Peer and spouse pressure
• Psychological depression
• Stress, distress, poor coping ability

6
Drug Use and Abuse in Women

• Problem drinking is a cause and consequence of
  sexual dysfunction (cycle)
• Connection between substance abuse, sex and
  violence for females.
• Many problems accompany females who use
  psychoactive drugs during pregnancy.
• Females athletes have increased and therefore
  increase use in performance and thin drugs.

7
Drug Use and Abuse in Minority Populations

• Alcohol and drug abuse among ethnic minorities
  causes greater negative effects on
• Employment
• School achievement
• Family stability

8
Drug Use and Abuse in Minority Populations

• At risk for
• Fatal and nonfatal consequences of drug use due
  to preference for injection
• All ethnic minorities differ in drug-use patterns

9
Drug Use Patterns

• African Americans
• High school seniors drink less alcohol and have
  lower rates of legal and illegal drugs
• Highly affected by drug taking behavior due to
• Increased crime
• AIDS
• Increased violence
• Chronic alcohol-related diseases
• Lack of adequate health care

10
Drug Use Patterns

• Hispanic Americans
• Large youth population and greater risk for drug
  use
• Males have higher rates of alcohol-related
  problems
• Females are light and infrequent drinkers
• Role of acculturation plays a big role for males

11
Drug Use Patterns

• American Indians and Alaskan Natives
• More substance use among this population than all
  others
• Recreational and anxiety drinkers
• Alcohol abuse contributes to the five leading
  causes of death
• 75 of all violent deaths and suicides are
  alcohol-related

12
Drug Use Patterns

• Asian and Pacific Islanders
• Lowest general prevalence of alcohol, tobacco,
  and illegal drug use of all minorities
• Flushing reaction to alcohol may be accompanied
  by unpleasant physical sensations may contribute
  to the low alcohol consumption rates

13
Drug Use Patterns

• Elderly
• Intense drug interactions because of
• Normal changes in body chemistry
• Influence of pharmaceutical revolution
• Decline of extended family
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Over-prescription of psychoactives by physicians
• Mismanagement of medicines by the elderly
• Common medication errors
• At greater potential risk for experiencing
• Drug misuse
• Drug abuse