Alcohol: The Facts Teens Need to Know

Many young people experiment with alcohol as a way to be accepted into a group, to rebel, to have fun, or to be social. Teen substance abuse is the regular or frequent use of an illegal or harmful substance that causes problems in some aspect of the teen's life. Making sure that teens know the facts about alcohol is a simple but important way to help them learn to be responsible around alcohol.

What It Is

Type:  Central nervous system depressant
Forms:  clear absolute alcohol liquid diluted and/or blended as wine, beer, liquor (distilled spirits) or liqueur
Legal Status: legal for those 21 years and older, purchasing and distribution is regulated by various state laws

What It Feels Like

Initial relaxed and/or sociable feeling may be replaced with depression, anger, loss of control and drowsiness. Effects vary for every person.

What It Does

To Your Mind: lowers ability of brain to control behavior and impairs your ability to perform motor skills such as driving
To Your Body: lessens ability to move or speak effectively

Special Characteristics:

• Food or milk can help slow the body’s absorption of alcohol, but food or drink does not change ongoing effects.
• One “shot” equals one glass of wine or beer. Effects vary by size of person related to blood absorption capacity, amount of food in stomach, built-up tolerance level and other factors.
• There’s no known cure for the next day “hangover,” however, water and sleep can help lessen the effects.

How It Can Hurt You

• Memory loss
• Sexual impotence
• Damage to the esophagus, liver, kidneys, stomach and intestine
• Susceptibility to alcohol-related diseases
• Brain damage
• Unborn children of using mothers may be affected by mental retardation, deformities, heart defects and delayed development
• Addiction
• Death from inability to breathe, heart failure, severe withdrawal effects, interaction with other drugs, driving while under the influence

Informational Sources: Healthwise® Knowledgebase, Parlay International

Learn more important information about Teen Alcohol and Substance Abuse in Preferred Care’s online Health Encyclopedia.

Posted: October 2004