Binge Drinking

nurs4kids · Feb 2, 2002

Originally posted by ohbet
2.THE ETHICAL STANDARD:Ethically,a nurse would be behaving in an unethical manner if he/she drank more than what is considered mod. drinking or eating more than is considered healthy or smoking at all. The basis for this lies in the "Code of Ethicis for Nurses with Interpretive statements" which reads "Moral respect accords moral worth and dignity to all human beings irrespective of their personal attributes or life situation . Such respect extends to one self as well; the same duties that we owe to others we owe to ourselves." see 5.1 Moral self-respect in the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Standards.

never heard anyone quote this when a nurse is being FORCED to work that second shift... isn't that "unhealthy"??

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 2, 2002

fact sheet on alcohol problems

http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/alcohol/factsheet.htm

types of alcohol problems:

alcohol use disorders include alcohol dependence (known as alcoholism) and alcohol abuse.1

alcohol abuse is characterized by clinically significant impairment or distress but does not entail physical dependence.2

alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is characterized by impaired control over drinking, tolerance, withdrawal syndrome when alcohol is removed, neglect of normal activities for drinking, and continued drinking despite recurrent related physical or psychological problems.3

risky drinking includes drinking beyond moderate levels either on a regular basis or on a particular occasion.4

who has an alcohol problem?

nearly 14 million americans meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders.5

approximately one-half of us adults report family history of alcoholism or problem drinking.6

an estimated 74% of current male drinkers and 72% of current female drinkers aged 21 and older at least once a year exceed guidelines for low risk drinking. 7

more than 18% of americans experience alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence at some time in their lives.8

how can i recognize an alcohol problem?

drinking to calm nerves, forget worries or to boost a sad mood.

guilt about drinking.

unsuccessful attempts to cut down/stop drinking.

lying about or hiding drinking habits.

causing harm to oneself or someone else as a result of drinking.

needing to drink increasingly greater amounts in order to achieve desired effect.

feeling irritable, resentful or unreasonable when not drinking.

medical, social, family, or financial problems caused by drinking.9

harmful effects of alcohol

heavy drinking raises the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, accidents, violence, suicides, birth defects and overall mortality.10

economic costs to society are estimated at $185 billion annually for 1998.11

harmful and hazardous drinking is involved in about one-third of suicides, one-half of homicides, and one-third of child abuse cases.12

alcohol is involved in a large proportion of unintentional deaths from falls, burns, and drownings.13

women and alcohol problems

women overall drink less than men but are more likely to experience adverse consequences including damage to the heart muscle, liver, and brain trauma resulting from auto crashes, interpersonal violence, and death.14, 15

the progression of alcohol abuse and alcoholism is usually faster in women than in men.16

researchers have identified no safe threshold for drinking during pregnancy.17

drinking among teens and college students

in 1999, 44% of college students reported binge drinking (consuming 5 or more drinks in a row for males or 4 or more drinks in a row for females during the past two weeks); nearly 23% of college students reported frequent binge drinking (bingeing three or more times in a two-week period).18

the rate of binge drinking among fraternity and sorority members is considerably higher: 65% in 1999. among those living in a fraternity or sorority house, the rate of binge drinking is still higher (79%), though lower than in 1997 (82%). 19

among college students who consumed alcohol, more than 47% in 1999 reported drinking to get drunk (compared with 40% in 1993 and 52% in 1997).20 - young persons who begin drinking before age 13 are four times as likely to develop alcohol dependence and twice as likely to develop alcohol abuse as those who begin drinking at age 21.21

more than 41% of high school seniors perceive no great risk in consuming four to five drinks nearly every day.22

approximately 22% of 8th graders, 41% of 10th graders, and 50% of 12th graders report having consumed alcohol during the past month.23

about 8% of 8th, 23% of 10th, and 32% of 12th graders report having been drunk during the past month.24

about 14% of 8th, 26% of 10th, and 30% of 12th graders report binge drinking during the past two weeks.25

alcohol is frequently a factor in the three leading causes of death (motor vehicle crashes, homicides, and suicides) for 15 to 24 year olds.26,27

national alcohol screening day is april 11, 2002

------------------------------------------------------

1/17/02

new program helps screen for alcohol problems and at-risk drinking

http://www.nursingworld.org/news/ananews.htm#nasd1/17/02

national alcohol screening day (nasd), a program of screening for mental health (smh), has created an easy and free way to screen for alcohol problems and at-risk drinking . the nasd materials can be used in two different ways. nurses are invited to either conduct a special outreach event on national alcohol screening day, april 11, or, as a second option, nurses may want to incorporate the screenings into their day-to-day procedures and screen regularly scheduled patients or clients.

registered providers receive a kit of ready-to-use education and screening materials, including brochures, educational flyers, and screening forms. sites also receive step-by-step instructions for planning and conducting a screening event. to register for nasd, call screening for mental health at 781-239-0071 or download a registration form at http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/nasd/ana . for those who plan to conduct a special community outreach and education event and would like videos and a lecture, download the general site form. for those who plan, instead, to screen their regularly scheduled patients and would like a kit that includes more medical information, download the primary care registration form.

national alcohol screening day information

http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/alcohol.htm

frequently asked questions (faq):

http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/alcohol/alc-faq.htm

thisnurse · Feb 2, 2002

Ohbet,

Why do you keep bringing up that code of ethics as though it means something? That document is a guidleine for our behavior, well, its supposed to be, its not a law. It's ridiculous. Was it voted on by nurses? Who drafted it? If you are using it as a reason not to drink, that's pretty lame. No offense to you meant but it ticks me off that it even exists. Are we that stupid we need a group of suits to tell us how we should ACT?

Some things I'd like to decide for myself. Not only do you cite it, you try to explain it. To me its like saying....This is for the nurses who dont know how to act, and this is for the stupid nurses who cant understand the rules on how to act. If you want to live your life according to those guidelines I say good for you. I'll be damned if I am going to be dictated to soley because I am a nurse. This is stroking for those who believe they are answering a call and working for a higher power. we are NOT better than the general population based on our profession. An excellent point was made in regards to that document by Nurse4kids. According to that it IS unethical to be mandated overtime.

I think nurses are expected to give on hell of a lot. I think its insulting to have the group thats supposed to represent us attempting to mandate our behavior off hours as well. Does our job ever stop?

As for that seatbelt law. That is one of the most stupid "laws" to go into effect. How many people put on seatbelts because its the LAW?

People that dont use seatbelts hardly care about their own safety, but they care about the LAW? They dont care if their passangers or themselves fly through the windsheild, but they do care about the random chance some cop will spot them without a belt. Is that logical?

YukonSean · Feb 4, 2002

I too have heard the various "4 standard drinks per sitting" type of stats. This is an obvious attempt to quantify something which, as Kewl points out, cannot be standardised. I think I like Aimee's view of what constitutes a binge.

The problem with setting an arbitrary cut-off line is that it begs all sorts of exceptions: What about college kids who go on weekend binges? How about the so-called functioning alcoholic, who drinks lots, but still manages to keep his job, house, wife, etc? Then, what of cultural considerations, e.g., in Ireland, where it is quite normal to socialise around pubs? (The same could be said of Germany, Belgium, England... or wherever. I think you are only saved from this in the USA because your advertising world manages to pass off Budwiser-alcoholic-rice-beverage as beer!)

As healthcare professionals, our only true option is to intervene when the patient comes into contact with the healthcare system. Of course, there remains the old, ethical "nurses as role models" debate. We are not supposed to be alcoholics, cigarette smokers, or even obese, for that matter! I remember having to have my hair cut above my collar line, and only being allowed to wear corny, white (male) nursing uniforms whenever I trained! Yes, we got all that business about disgraceful conduct (which includes chemical abuse) drilled into us!

I do have a professional interest in this. As the psychiatric RN in a remote hospital, I am required to see all substance-related presentations. It is unlikely that consumption patterns in the Lower 48 come anywhere near what they are here in the North.

For those who want to read "offical" definitions of bingeing and the like, try this link from the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto:

http://www.apolnet.org/sano/apn9708b.html

By the way, this is a good thread. I really like your language, Kewl. You remind of one of the other male RNs here, who is a big northern dog musher! (Sorry about the passive agressive "Bud" dig. I had to do it; I am a beer snob, and I wouldn't drink Molson or Labatt's, either!)

kewlnurse · Feb 5, 2002

Originally posted by YukonSean
By the way, this is a good thread. I really like your language, Kewl. You remind of one of the other male RNs here, who is a big northern dog musher! (Sorry about the passive agressive "Bud" dig. I had to do it; I am a beer snob, and I wouldn't drink Molson or Labatt's, either!)

Preach it brother, for I too am a snob of all things fermented ('cept mead, never did a aquire a taste for it) I refuse to buy anything even remotely associated with Bud, and their parent company if I can. Not just because they make total swill, but for a variety of reasons. I used to keep notes on beers i had, stopped about 3 years ago at 350 or so, I'd imagine it's well over 600 different beers now , I'm also a registered judge, althoug i havn't judged in a while and my certification expired Can make my own, as well as wine although i really don't bother with the wine as there is a great, huge store by me that makes it rather afforable to buy. My uncle owns a vineyard in California, Shannandoah Vineyards and Sobon Estate are his 2 lables. Guesse It's in my blood, plus I'm part Czech, which only makes it a natural thing. Mater of fact i have a pilsner lagering in my garage right now, as well as a plambic waiting to be bottled. I won't drink any scotch that is blended, actually, i wont even call it scotch, must be single malt, and i rarely drink any that is less than 12 years old, never less than 10, 25 if i have money to burn, which is pretty much never Guess thjat makes me a binge drinker

micro, RN · Feb 5, 2002

Originally posted by Susy K
Wow Kewl - great response.
Ohbet - I don't remember taking any pledge or oath that states I can't be human. As long as I don't drink on the job or compromise patient care, this is no one's business.
What about a nurse who is just a plain-out bad mom?? Does that violate the code of ethics too?

WHAT ABOUT A NURSE THAT IS A STRAIGHT OUT *****.......OH MY DID I SAY THAT.....YES I DID!!!!!!! IS THAT AGAINST PATIENT CARE AND THE CODE OF ETHICS.............?????????????

just micro chirping in,

:eek: :rolleyes: :confused:

mario_ragucci · Feb 5, 2002

It's too bad we can't have "binge orgasms", huh? Why is it that the first is always the best, then we gotta let some time go by before another wave can crash. Where is my stormy sea, with 4-5 waves crashing?

Booze is is a wacky drug, yall know. When I drink, its not for the mellow feeling. When I drink, it's to play a joke on myself, trying to act normal when I am out of kilter (effects of alcohol). The more out of kilter, the funnier the joke!

I'm American, and binge drinking is inbreed in me. It depends on your Liver, and how hydrated you are when you drink. I like to drink about 3-4 time a year, and they are definately binges, amounting to >5 beers. In my old age, i give thanks to the wisdom I have which doesn't allow me to harm myself or others when I binge.

Women who binge drink are sexy. To see a woman lose control is cool. I don't know, maybe a fetish :eek: That's for another thread, right? Hahahahahaha

********okay - what I mean here about women being sexy when they binge drink is the idea of having safe and sane fun and letting lose, and NOT a woman who has a drinking problem who downs hard booze, or something like that. I'm sorry to not have made the distinction, which I should have. Everyone likes to have a good time, right? So, when I see a little decadence exhibited in a society where people are sometimes way too boxed in, I admire that. Again, I'm sorry I did not make this clear, which I should have, and alcohol can destroy life fast. I took for granted that yall know I was refering to normal women who are not in trouble or anything, who know the effects of alcohol, have no intentions of harming themselves or others, and who understand that alcohol can impair normal reasoning skills, and who plan for that when they do binge. PHEW!!!!! *********************

nightmoves · Feb 5, 2002

The operant word is control. Loss of control implies problematic drinking. Loss of control implies inability to choose how much to drink when one starts to drink, and for may binge drinkers this is what occurs.

An interesting observation: When a drinker becomes obsessed with attempting to control the drinking, that drinker has already lost control.

This definition came from a colleague who in addition to her nursing credentials is also a certified alcoholism counselor.

savagesister · Feb 5, 2002

Here's my understanding of determining whether someone is an alcoholic (or addict):

1. Have you had a problem related to your drinking? (DUI, relationship or work problems, whaterver) and

2. (The answer to this is the real determinant) Did you stop or did you do it again? Obviously someone who did not NEED the substance would not continue to do it if was causing them problems. Of course, most addicts don't see their behavior as the cause of the problem.

Most of the patients in the ICU where I work are there because of binge eating, drinking and/or smoking, for whatever that's worth.

Kewl, I agree that the Code of Ethics is too broad and scary depending on who the heck is doing the interpreting, also about the cap business, but I wonder at the fury of your response. To paraphrase Shakespeare: "Methinks he protesteth too much".

nicola · Feb 5, 2002

I may be off my rocker, but it seems to me that we as human beings and, presumably, adults, can do pretty much what we want as long as it doesnt' endanger others...

I have a real issue with drinking and driving (note: I have a problem with them TOGETHER) since 10 years ago my best friend was killed by a drunk driver. The cops knew the idiot did this habitually, but couldn't seem to catch him and make it stick. (Don't ask me to pursue this - I still don't understand!) The pain has become bearable, but as I get nearer to my wedding day, it comes back again since I always wanted her to be my maid of honor... If I met some one who was driving drunk - doesn't have to be legally drunk, just in my opinion drunk - I could well become homicidal!

So what's my point? We all struggle with our vices. I don't see drinking in and of itself to be a vice. We owe it to OURSELVES and not our jobs to be the healthiest people we can be...

Kewl, I think it's cool that you brew your own! Best beer I ever had was in Munich, when I went into a beer hall and asked for "ein veiss bier, bitter" (excuse spelling, please!). Open brewing, wheat, liquid bread... ooohhhh yyyeeaaahhh!

micro, RN · Feb 6, 2002

:roll :roll :roll guess my whole entry was wiped out, because I used too many smilies.................

so hey all.............just micro saying later.................

:devil: :imbar

or maybe it was the grape juice?????????

radnurse2001 · Feb 6, 2002

This is a very emotional thread for me. I lost a sister in law to drinking last year. She was a binge drinker. The subject ot ETOH was never really important to me before this happened. I think any of us that have a positive family history, stress (NOOOOO we don't have any of that, or generalized unhappiness should definately watch ourselves. But back to the subject. Deb could drink 2-3 bottles of straight vodka over 1-2 days. Is this binge drinking? You be it is. She could drink 5 -4 oz straight vodka shots and not feel a thing---difference---no! The effects on the body are the same. She was distroying her liver none the less.

Drinking to the level of impairment is a dangerous thing. I never knew that when you vomited when drinking or after you got home from drinking, you actually had alcohol poisioning. I also never knew that after you stopped drinking, you alcohol levels continue to rise.---for the next two hours I believe.

Binge drinking is not the lifestyle I choose, sure I like to have a beer every now and then and I have been known to become intoxicated, but not scince Deb---

I am not preaching here, I just think that some people need a dose of reality when it comes to harmless fun.

Anne