Transcript Teen Drinking

ALCOHOL IS A DRUG!
Short Term Effects: Body
 Irritates the mouth, throat,
esophagus, and STOMACH
 Makes the heart work harder
 Makes the body lose body heat
 Causes the liver to work harder
 Causes dehydration
 Can cause alcohol POISONING
Short Term Effects: Mind
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Nervous system slows down.
Lose coordination and judgment.
Vision loses focus.
Lose inhibitions.
Slurred speech.
Hard to make decisions/focus
Difficult to pay attention
Long Term Effects
 Permanently damage organs
 Alcoholism
 Has devastating effects on the liver
 Liver Cancer
 Cirrhosis: Healthy tissue turned to scar tissue
 Permanent damage to the brain:
 Cell death from dehydration and lack of oxygen
 Alcoholism is 2nd leading cause of dementia:
which is a decrease in brain function including
memory loss
How Alcohol works…
When someone drinks, alcohol enters
the bloodstream and alcohol absorbs
into the small intestine, resulting in BAC,
or a Blood Alcohol concentration level.
 A BAC of 0.08 is considered the legal
limit for driving (ages 21 and up only!)
 Even a BAC of 0.02 can impair a
person’s ability to drive!
Binge Drinking leads to high
BAC
 Binge drinking: Drinking a LOT of alcohol
in one sitting. 5 drinks for males, 4 for
females
 Binge drinking leads to alcohol poisoning
 SYMPTOMS of alcohol poisoning:
 Vomiting
 Loss of consciousness
 Dangerously slowed breathing
 Alcohol Poisoning leads to DEATH
Problems with Teens and Alcohol
 Teens are still growing! Alcohol can
impair the brain, which is still
developing
 Drinking and mixing other drugs,
including tobacco, illegal drugs,
prescription drugs, and OTC drugs can
cause negative effects including brain
damage, or even death!
Drinking and Driving
 The number ONE cause of death for
teens is motor vehicle accidents.
Majority are alcohol related! All skills
needed to drive are impaired. Alcohol:
 Slows reaction time
 Affects vision
 Makes you drowsy
 Reduces coordination
 Affects judgment (60% of teens with
STD’s contracted them while under
the influence of ALCOHOL)
Zero Tolerance
 ALL 50 States have enacted ZERO
TOLERANCE for people under the age
of 21.
 It is illegal for anyone under 21 to
purchase, consume, or drive with
alcohol!
 Penalties include: arrest, heavy fines,
suspension of driver’s license, jail time
Designated Driver
 A designated driver is a person who
chooses not to drink.
 If you’ve been drinking, make sure you
drive with someone who has NOT been
drinking at all
 If everyone has been drinking, call a
cab, a parent, ANYONE who has not
been drinking.
 They’ll be happy that you called and
got home safe!
Drinking and Sexual activity
 Alcohol makes it hard to think clearly
 Sexual activity can result in unplanned
pregnancy, STD’s, and emotional pain
 Alcohol is most common drug
associated with Date Rape
 Remember: Date Rape victims usually
know their attackers!
 You can take charge and AVOID these
situations by NOT drinking, and NOT
leaving ANY drink unattended!