Alcohol and Drug Effects Information

Appendix to UCAR'S Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures
(related to Policy 2-9)

 ALCOHOL AND DRUG EFFECTS

The Department of Transportation mandates that all affected employees be provided with training material discussing the effects of alcohol and controlled substance use on an individual's health, work and personal life.

This attachment is intended to help individuals understand the personal consequences of substance abuse.

ALCOHOL

Alcoholic beverages are the most widely used psychoactive drugs known to man.  Alcoholism ranks as one of the major health threats in the nation along with cancer and heart disease.

Although used routinely as a social legal drug, alcohol can also have negative physical and mood-altering effects.  These physical or mental alterations in a driver may have serious personal and public safety risks.

Health Effects of Alcohol Use

Ninety-five percent of all alcohol consumed is absorbed into the body through the stomach, small intestine and colon.  Complete absorption into the blood requires 2-6 hours or more.  The rate of absorption into the blood stream is influenced by the presence of food in the system, the time period of consumption, the driver's body weight and metabolism.   Once alcohol is in the bloodstream, alcohol quickly goes to every cell and tissue in the body.  Alcohol causes red blood cells to coagulate together in sticky wads, slowing circulation and depriving tissues of oxygen.  Alcohol in the blood can cause anemia by reducing the production of red blood cells.  Alcohol decreases the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria and degenerates the clotting ability of blood platelets.   Alcohol kills brain cells, which is permanent damage.  Long-term alcohol use causes loss of memory, impaired judgment, and learning ability due to the damage done to the brain cells.

Alcohol affects the central nervous system of the body more than any other bodily function.  Because alcohol is a depressant, it inhibits the control mechanisms of the brain, which results in unrestrained activities in various parts of the brain.  An extremely high dose of alcohol can depress the central nervous system to a point where breathing may stop completely, resulting in death.

Besides the effects alcohol has on the central nervous system, it causes damage and destruction to the tissue cells in the body including brain cells.  Excess alcohol use can depress the appetite and prevent the absorption of amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients, which contribute to malnourishment of the body.  Alcohol hampers the liver's ability to metabolize fat which leads to fatty liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver.  Alcohol increases the blood pressure in people with hypertension, which can lead to life threatening heart problems.

A large dose of alcohol can cause: 

• blurred vision

• impairment in perception

• decreased mental alertness

• decreased physical coordination

An average of three or more servings per day of beer (12 oz.), whiskey (1 oz.), or wine (6 oz.) over time, may result in the following health hazards:

• Dependency

• Fatal liver disease

• Kidney disease

• Pancreatitis

• Ulcers

• Decreased sexual functions

• Increased cancers of the mouth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, rectum, breast, and malignant melanoma

• Spontaneous abortion and neonatal mortality

• Birth defects

Withdrawal from heavy alcohol use can lead to:

• Severe tremors

• Convulsions

• Death

Anyone wishing help should seek medical attention.

Social Issues Related to Alcohol Use

• Alcohol is implicated in 200,000 deaths each year

• 50% of deaths by motor vehicles and fires are alcohol related

• 67% of murders are alcohol related

• 33% of suicides are alcohol related

• 67% of all incidents of domestic violence are alcohol related

• 33% of all cases of child abuse are alcohol related

• 24% of our national expenditure for hospital care is alcohol related

• 7% increase in the chances of divorce or separation when alcohol is abused in a family

• 30,000 people will die each year from alcohol caused liver disease, cirrhosis, or pancreatitis

• 10,000 people will die each year due to alcohol-related brain disease or suicide

Workplace Issues Associated with Alcohol Use

• Increased absenteeism

• Unexplained leaving of the workplace

• Increased mistakes and errors in work performance

• Needless risk-taking

• Deterioration in personal appearance

• Poor concentration

• Inconsistent work quality

• Increased Workers' Compensation claims

• Increased accidents in the workplace

Sobering Issues

Time is the only sobering agent that works!  Contrary to public opinion, steam baths, black coffee, and exercise have no effect on the rate at which alcohol is metabolized.  A person will feel more alert, however, they will still be intoxicated!!!   Aspirin taken while under the influence of alcohol increases the blood alcohol level by 34%.  Aspirin blocks the action of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol before it reaches the bloodstream.  The use of any medication while alcohol is in the body requires extreme caution and consultation with a physician.

DRUGS

Marijuana

Health Effects of Marijuana Use

The most prominent effects of marijuana use are on the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system resulting in deterioration of motor coordination, memory and thinking ability, increased heart rate and blood pressure and bloodshot eyes.

There are more than 520 chemicals found in marijuana.  Out of those chemicals, THC, is the primary mind-altering ingredient.  In the past 10 years, the strength of marijuana has increased from .05 to 4% THC content to as high as 11% THC content.  THC concentrates in fatty areas of the body, the brain and sexual glands.  It takes 30 days for the THC from one marijuana joint to be eliminated from the body.

Marijuana use causes:

• Deterioration of motor coordination

• Deterioration of memory and thinking ability

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

• Emphysema-like condition

• Respiratory tract and sinus infections

• Depression of the body's immune system response, making users more susceptible to infection

• Chronic smoking causes changes in brain cells; long-term brain damage may occur

• Chronic smoking of marijuana in males causes a decrease in testosterone and reduced sperm count including temporary sterility

• Smoking of marijuana in females can cause a decrease in fertility

• Marijuana contains cancer-causing substances

Workplace Issues Related to Marijuana Use

• Delayed decision making

• Diminished concentration

• Impaired short-term memory

• Impaired signal detection (a risk for users who are operating machinery)

• Impaired tracking and visual distance measurements

• Erratic cognitive function

• Distortion of time estimation

• Erratic sleep patterns

Cocaine

Cocaine has immediate effects on the central nervous system. Cocaine is a powerful physical and mental stimulant which produces a condition of hyperstimulation lasting about 30 minutes, and characterized by over-alertness, euphoria and a feeling of great power.  The drug produces a constriction of peripheral blood vessels, a rise in body temperature and metabolic rate, dilated pupils, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressures.  Over-dosage may lead to extreme anxiety, fever, convulsions, cerebral infarction, heart problems and ensuing death.

Health Effects of Cocaine Use

• The most psychologically addictive drug affecting a neurotransmitter in the brain is known as dopamine.  Cocaine depletes dopamine, which causes the survival-oriented normal drives in the body (hunger, thirst, sleep) to change to the drive to obtain cocaine.

• Regular use may upset the chemical balance of the brain.  As a result, it may speed up the aging process by causing damage to critical nerve cells.  Parkinson's Disease could also occur.

• Cocaine causes the heart to beat faster, harder and rapidly increases blood pressure.  It also causes spasms of blood vessels causing strokes and heart attacks.

• Strong dependency can occur with one “hit” of cocaine.  Usually mental dependency occurs within days for “crack” or within several months for snorting coke.  Cocaine causes the strongest mental dependency of all the drugs.

• Treatment success rates are lower than with other chemical dependencies.

• Cocaine is extremely dangerous when taken with other depressant drugs.  Death due to overdose is rapid.  Fatal effects are usually not reversible by medical intervention.

Workplace Issues Related to Cocaine Use

• Extreme mood and energy swings create instability.  Sudden noise causes a violent reaction.

• Lapses in attention and ignoring warning signals increase probability of accidents.

• High cost frequently leads to theft and/or dealing.

• Paranoia and withdrawal may create unpredictable or violent behavior.

• Performance is characterized by forgetfulness, absenteeism, tardiness, and missing assignments.

Opiates

Narcotic drugs alleviate pain and depress body functions and reactions.  Often used as painkillers for surgery and other medical treatments.

Health Effects of Opiate Use

• IV needle users have a high risk of contracting hepatitis or AIDS when sharing needles.

• Increased pain tolerance as a result, a person may more severely injure himself or herself and fail to seek medical attention as needed.

• Narcotic effects are multiplied when combined with other depressant drugs causing an increased risk for an overdose.

• Because of tolerance and dependency combined, there is a serious financial burden for the users.

Workplace Issues Related to Opiate Use

• Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, mental clouding and drowsiness place the user at high risk for an accident.

• Causes impairment of physical and mental function.

Amphetamines

Central nervous system stimulant that speeds up the mind and body.

Health Effects of Amphetamine Use

• Regular use causes strong psychological dependency and increased tolerance.

• High doses may cause toxic psychosis resembling schizophrenia.

• Intoxication may induce a heart attack or stroke due to increased blood pressure.

• Chronic use may cause heart or brain damage due to severe constriction of capillary blood vessels.

• Euphoric stimulation increases impulsive and risk-taking behavior, including bizarre and violent acts.

• Withdrawal may result in severe physical and mental depression.

Workplace Issues Related to Amphetamine Use

• Since the drug alleviates the sensation of fatigue, it may be abused to increase alertness during periods of overtime or failure to get rest.

• With heavy use or increasing fatigue, the short-term memory or physical enhancement reverses and becomes impairment.

Phencyclidine (PCP)

Often used as a large animal tranquilizer.  Abused primarily for its mood-altering effects.  Low doses produce sedation and euphoric mood changes.  Mood can rapidly change from sedation to excitation and agitation.  Larger doses may produce a coma-like condition with muscle rigidity and a blank stare.  Sudden noises or physical shocks may cause a “freak out” in which the person has abnormal strength, violent behavior, and an inability to speak or comprehend.

Health Effects of PCP Use

• The potential for accidents and overdose emergencies is high due to the extreme mental effects combined with the anesthetic effect on the body.

• PCP, when combined with other depressants, including alcohol, increases the possibility of an overdose.

• If misdiagnosed as LSD induced, and treated with Thorazine, can be fatal.

• Irreversible memory loss, personality changes, and thought disorders may result.

Workplace Issues Related to PCP Use

• Not common in workplace primarily because of the severe disorientation that occurs.

• There are four phases to PCP abuse:

  • Acute toxicity causing combativeness, catatonia, convulsions and coma.  Distortions of size, shape and distorted perception are common.

  • Toxic psychosis with visual and auditory delusions, paranoia and agitation.

  • Drug-induced schizophrenia.

  • Induced depression which may create suicidal tendencies and mental dysfunction.