Warm-Up  Divide your paper in half. On the left side write reasons why drinking alcohol is risky for teens. On the right side list alternative to alcohol use

Choosing to be Alcohol Free Lesson 15

Objectives  Analyze the harmful physical, emotional, social and legal consequences of alcohol abuse  Describe the role alcohol plays in unhealthy behaviors leading to life changing situations such as STDs, unplanned pregnancies and motor vehicle accidents

The Facts About Alcohol  Ethanol: The type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages Powerful and addictive Powerful and addictive Produced synthetically and naturally through the fermentation of fruits, vegetables and grains Produced synthetically and naturally through the fermentation of fruits, vegetables and grains  Fermentation: the chemical action of yeast on sugars

Immediate Effects Reviewed  Alcohol is a depressant meaning it is a drug that slows down the central nervous system Slows reaction time Slows reaction time impairs vision impairs vision Impairs judgment Impairs judgment  Intoxication: the state in which the body is poisoned by alcohol or another substance and the person’s physical and mental control is significantly reduced Remember this is affected by a person’s body size, gender and stomach contents Remember this is affected by a person’s body size, gender and stomach contents

Influential Factors  Peer Pressure  Family  Media  Advertising Techniques

The Law  If you are under 21 it is illegal to buy, possess, or consume alcohol  Consequences: Arrest Arrest Fines Fines Youth detention center Youth detention center Loss of trust and respect Loss of trust and respect

Alcohol and Bad Decisions…  Protect your health by avoiding situations where alcohol is present  Teens who drink are more likely to… be victims OR perpetrators of violent crimes be victims OR perpetrators of violent crimes RapeRape Aggravated assaultAggravated assault RobberyRobbery be involved in fights be involved in fights Become sexually active at earlier ages Become sexually active at earlier ages STDsSTDs Unplanned pregnancyUnplanned pregnancy HIVHIV Negative mental and social consequencesNegative mental and social consequences

Story of an Alcoholic   Click the link above and read the story of an alcoholic. As you read it I want you to look for certain facts and answer the following questions. How old was the author when he started drinking? How old was the author when he started drinking? At what point in the story did he hit each stage of alcoholism…abuse, dependence, and addiction. (found in class notes or on page ) At what point in the story did he hit each stage of alcoholism…abuse, dependence, and addiction. (found in class notes or on page ) What short term and long term effects of alcohol did the writer mention in his story? What short term and long term effects of alcohol did the writer mention in his story? If you could ask the writer one question, what would it be? If you could ask the writer one question, what would it be?

Alcohol Abuse  25% of all youth are exposed to family alcohol abuse before they reach 18 Excessive use of alcohol Excessive use of alcohol  Young people who live in a household where a family member abuses alcohol are at a high risk for : Neglect Neglect Abuse Abuse Economic hardship Economic hardship Social isolation Social isolation  Living in this situation may cause a young person to turn to alcohol as an escape. However, drinking only makes the situation WORSE.  A person who begins drinking as a teen is 4 TIMES more likely to develop alcohol dependence than an adult is

Alcohol and Extracurricular Activities  Negative consequences from alcohol can extend to eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities  Zero Tolerance Policy for students found using alcohol  A student’s social, college and job prospects could all be damaged

Alcohol Free is the Way to Be!  Maintain a healthy body Avoiding alcohol use protects body organs from damage and decreases the chance of injury Avoiding alcohol use protects body organs from damage and decreases the chance of injury  Make responsible decisions Having a clear head helps you to make decisions to protect your health and the health of others Having a clear head helps you to make decisions to protect your health and the health of others  Avoid risky behavior Avoiding alcohol will reduce your risk of participating in unsafe behaviors such as sexual activity, drinking and driving, or being the victim or perpetrator of a violent crime Avoiding alcohol will reduce your risk of participating in unsafe behaviors such as sexual activity, drinking and driving, or being the victim or perpetrator of a violent crime  Avoid illegal activities Avoiding alcohol means that you will not break the law by purchasing alcohol before you are 21. This also means that you can avoid arrest and other legal problems that arise from breaking the law Avoiding alcohol means that you will not break the law by purchasing alcohol before you are 21. This also means that you can avoid arrest and other legal problems that arise from breaking the law