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Alcohol Facts
Alcohol is considered the greatest risk as a gateway drug
In youth ages 10-24, alcohol is a factor in the 4 leading causes of death: car crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide
The common reasons people have for using alcohol are:
To relax
To feel less self conscious
To fit in
To be sociable
To express themselves better
Depression
Boredom
Loneliness
Low self esteem
Curiosity
Drinking encourages unsafe sex
Even moderate drinking during pregnancy can cause low birth weight, and birth
defects. It has also been linked to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
 FAS
(Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)-gross physical deformities, and profound
mental retardation from heavy drinking mothers
FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) - hyperactivity, distractibility, impulsive
behavior with short attention spans like those kids with ADD from
mothers who moderately drinking mothers
Food dilutes alcohol and slows the emptying of the stomach into the small intestine where alcohol is rapidly absorbed. It is dangerous to drink on an empty stomach.
( The process of absorption: alcohol enters the stomach, is emptied into the small intestine, is absorbed into the blood stream, goes to the heart, is pumped to the brain in large amounts and is absorbed by fatty material in the brain.)
The rapid absorption of high concentrations of alcohol that occurring with binge drinking (especially in the form of drinking games) can suppress the centers of the brain that control breathing and cause a person to pass out or even die
The liver helps to process and clear alcohol out of the body. In order to do this a toxic chemical is produced to help break the alcohol down. Too much production of this toxic chemical is what makes you feel sick when you drink too much.
( An adult can metabolize one ounce of alcohol per hour, one beer, or four ounces of wine)
The pleasure centers of the brain are stimulated while alcohol levels rise. People tend to over drink because they continue to consume to keep the alcohol levels rising
Alcohol abuse: patterns of drinking that give rise to health problems, social problems or both.
Alcohol dependence (alcoholism): is a disease characterized by abnormal seeking and consumption of alcohol that leads to a lack of control. Alcoholics drink in excess even though their drinking is causing health and emotional problems
Special Risk for Women
33% greater risk for liver damage that men
Greater risk for damage to the pancreas
Greater risk for high blood pressure
Greater risk for breast cancer (3-9 drinks per week)
We can't test the effect on alcohol on young humans but we know that the brain develops until the age of 20. The last regions to mature, control the ability to plan and make complex judgements. Young brains have rich resources for acquiring new memories. Alcohol may inhibit this capacity. In animal studies learning and memory are impaired through alcohol use.
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