Transcript Alcohol
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!