Alcohol
Getting the Facts 21 years old to drink Almost 80% of high school students have tried alcohol Why? Deciding to drink is a personal decision and you will need to make an educated choice
Alcohol: What is it? Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented Fermentation is a process that uses yeast or bacteria to change the sugars in the food into alcohol Alcohol has different forms and can be used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative
No, not that type of alcohol When people drink alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream From there, it enters the central nervous system, which controls most all body functions
How does it affect our bodies? Depressant Slows the function of the CNS Blocks messages trying to get to the brain Alters a persons: Perceptions Emotions Movement Vision Hearing
How else… In very small amounts, alcohol can relax the body and make people feel less anxious More alcohol causes greater changes in the brain, resulting in intoxication When a person is intoxicated (drunk) they may: Stagger Lose coordination Slur their speech Be easily confused Be disoriented
There’s more… Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly and talkative or very aggressive and angry Reaction times are slowed Drinking and driving People who are intoxicated may think they're moving properly when they're not They may act totally out of character.
Alcohol Poisoning When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time The body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol Violent vomiting is usually the first symptom Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, and even death may result
So why do teens drink? Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are: curiosity to feel good, reduce stress, and relax to fit in to feel older
Why you shouldn’t drink Punishment is severe Under 21Against the law = arrested Crime School & sports You can look really stupid Throw up, pee yourself, bad breath, hangovers Alcohol puts your health at risk Unsafe sex, injuries, car crash, homicides, suicides, overweight
How can I avoid drinking? Say “no, thanks” Make an excuse Plan in advance Have high self esteem
Where can I get help? If you think you have a problem, get help as soon as possible Talk to a trusted adult Drug and alcohol counselors
What to do for a friend? Friends, family People with drinking problems can't stop drinking until they are ready to admit they have a problem and get help Turn to a trusted adult for help Keep them safe Drink and drive, alone
Everyone goes through it! Everyone makes decisions about whether to drink and how much — even adults It's possible to enjoy a party or other event just as much, if not more so, when you don't drink And with your central nervous system working as it's supposed to, you'll remember more about the great time you had!