WHAT IS THE MOST

FREQUENT DRUG AMONG

YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE US?
LESSON 2.04
 ALCOHOL
According to the CDC, survey results indicate the following:
• 8% of 8th graders and 30% of seniors drank alcohol in the
previous 30 days.
• About half of those participated in binge drinking in the
previous week.
• Minors who drink alcohol are more likely to use other
drugs.
 Young and Sober in A.A._ From Drinking to Recovery _ Alcoholics Anonymous Video.html

• AS WITH ALL HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE YOURSELF

TO HELP MAKE WISE CHOICES.

• MOST PEOPLE TAKE THAT FIRST DRINK OUT OF CURIOSITY OR BECAUSE OF PEER
PRESSURE OR THEY ARE JUST DOING WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE DO.
 WHAT IS IT?
• ALCOHOL
• DIFFERENT CHEMICAL FORMS OF ALCOHOL ARE USED FOR
DIFFERENT PURPOSES.
• ALL FORMS OF ALCOHOL CAN BE DEADLY BUT ETHYL ALCOHOL,
OFTEN CALLED ETHANOL, IS THE ONLY TYPE THAT YOU CAN DRINK.
• RUBBING ALCOHOL IS USUALLY MADE FROM ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL,
WHICH CAN BE DEADLY TO SOMEONE WHO DRINKS EVEN A LITTLE
BIT. METHYL ALCOHOL IS IN PAINT REMOVER, ANTIFREEZE, AND
CANNED FUELS. IT CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY BREATHING, LOW BLOOD
PRESSURE, BLINDNESS, AND DEATH.
 ETHYL ALCOHOL
• ETHYL ALCOHOL IS MADE FROM THE FERMENTATION OF
FRUITS, GRAINS, OR VEGETABLES.
• AS YOU MAY HAVE LEARNED IN BIOLOGY, FERMENTATION
CONVERTS THE SUGARS IN FOOD INTO ALCOHOL.
• WHILE ETHYL ALCOHOL IS PRESENT IN BEVERAGES,
DRINKING TOO MUCH CAN CAUSE BOTH SHORT-TERM
AND LONG-TERM PROBLEMS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEARN
ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL SO YOU CAN MAKE
WISE DECISIONS.
 HOW MUCH?
• RESPONSIBLE DRINKING
• RESPONSIBLE DRINKERS OBEY THE LAW REGARDING
ALCOHOL AND LIMIT THEIR FREQUENCY AND QUANTITY OF
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.
• BUT RESPONSIBLE DRINKING MEANS MORE THAN JUST
LIMITING YOURSELF TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DRINKS. IT
ALSO MEANS NOT GETTING DRUNK AND NOT LETTING
ALCOHOL CONTROL YOUR LIFE OR YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
(SOURCE: MEDLINEPLUS).
 HOW MUCH IS SAFE?
• THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL A PERSON CAN SAFELY CONSUME
DEPENDS ON MANY FACTORS. THESE INCLUDE:
• BODY TYPE: LARGER INDIVIDUALS CAN SAFELY CONSUME MORE
ALCOHOL THAN SMALLER INDIVIDUALS.
• GENDER: GENERALLY MALES CAN SAFELY CONSUME MORE THAN
FEMALES.
• NUMBER OF DRINKS CONSUMED: THE FEWER DRINKS CONSUMED,
THE SAFER YOU ARE.
• SPEED OF DRINKING: A PERSON WHO IS DRINKING FASTER
CONSUMES MORE ALCOHOL OVER TIME THAN ONE DRINKING
SLOWER.
 ALCOHOL CONTENT
• WHEN DETERMINING RESPONSIBLE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL TO DRINK,
THE IMPORTANT FACTOR IS THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF THE DRINK.
• BEER, WINE, AND LIQUOR CONTAIN DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF
ALCOHOL. BEER CONTAINS ABOUT 3-10 PERCENT ETHANOL, WINE
CONTAINS 8 -14 PERCENT ETHANOL AND HARD LIQUOR CONTAINS 40
PERCENT AND HIGHER ETHANOL.
• THE MORE CONCENTRATED A FORM OF ALCOHOL IS, THE LESS YOU
CAN DRINK SAFELY. IF A PERSON DRINKS 8 OUNCES OF LIQUOR, THEY
ARE INGESTING FOUR TO TEN TIMES THE AMOUNT OF ETHANOL AS
SOMEONE DRINKING 8 OUNCES OF BEER.
 BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT
• THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL THAT IS IN A PERSON’S BODY AT ANY TIME IS KNOWN AS
THEIR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT (BAC) OR BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL (BAL). THE MORE
ALCOHOL IN YOUR BODY, THE MORE DANGEROUS EFFECTS IT HAS ON THE BODY.
• DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT CONSUMED, BEER, WINE, AND HARD LIQUOR CAN ALL
PROVIDE A DANGEROUS LEVEL OF ALCOHOL THAT CAN LEAD TO INTOXICATION OR
ALCOHOL POISONING. BUT IT TAKES A MUCH LOWER VOLUME OF LIQUOR THAN BEER
TO CAUSE INTOXICATION AND ALCOHOL POISONING. THIS IS WHY ALCOHOL
CONSUMPTION IS MEASURED BY BAC AND BY THE NUMBER OF DRINKS CONSUMED.
• MANY PEOPLE SHOW THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AFTER ONE DRINK, WHILE OTHERS
CAN DRINK 3-4 DRINKS BEFORE BEGINNING TO SHOW THE EFFECTS OF THE ALCOHOL.
THIS IS KNOWN AS TOLERANCE AND HAS NO EFFECT ON A PERSON’S BAC.
• AN INDIVIDUAL’S BAC CAN BE CALCULATED USING THEIR GENDER, WEIGHT, AND THE
NUMBER OF DRINKS CONSUMED IN AN HOUR. USE THIS BAL TABLE FROM NOTRE DAME
UNIVERSITY TO SEE HOW DIFFERENT NUMBERS OF DRINKS COULD AFFECT YOU.
AN INDIVIDUAL’S BAC CAN BE CALCULATED USING THEIR GENDER, WEIGHT, AND THE NUMBER
OF DRINKS CONSUMED IN AN HOUR. USE THIS BAL TABLE FROM NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY TO
SEE HOW DIFFERENT NUMBERS OF DRINKS COULD AFFECT YOU.
 COMPARISON
• LOOK AT THIS SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL
IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRINKS. NOTE THAT THERE ARE FEWER OUNCES
OF LIQUID IN ONE DRINK OF LIQUOR THAN THERE ARE IN ONE DRINK OF
BEER.
 DANGEROUS LEVELS
• THE GREATEST DANGER IS THE AMOUNT OF ETHANOL INGESTED.
• BEER, WINE, AND HARD LIQUOR CAN ALL PROVIDE A DANGEROUS LEVEL OF
ALCOHOL THAT CAN LEAD TO INTOXICATION OR ALCOHOL POISONING. BUT IT
TAKES A MUCH LOWER AMOUNT OF LIQUOR THAN BEER TO CAUSE
INTOXICATION AND ALCOHOL POISONING.
• READ THE LABEL ON A CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL TO FIND OUT THE
PERCENTAGE OF ALCOHOL IN THE PRODUCT.
• IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF ALCOHOL TO
YOUNG CHILDREN. WHAT CAN SEEM LIKE A SMALL AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL
CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO A YOUNG CHILD. IF A CHILD DRINKS ALCOHOL,
THE POISON CONTROL CENTER CAN HELP DETERMINE THE NECESSARY STEPS
TO AVOID DANGER TO THE CHILD.
 ALCOHOL EFFECTS
• BEHAVIOR EFFECTS
• ALCOHOL HAS NUMEROUS SHORT-TERM EFFECTS, MANY RELATED TO HOW A PERSON
BEHAVES. ALCOHOL LOWERS INHIBITIONS AND DECREASES THE ABILITY TO THINK CLEARLY,
SO PEOPLE OFTEN DO THINGS THEY WOULD NOT DO IF THEY WERE NOT DRUNK.
• ALCOHOL MAKES YOU MORE LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN RISKY SEXUAL ACTIVITY. THIS PUTS
YOU AT GREATER RISK OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS) AND PREGNANCY.
• ALCOHOL CAN ALSO CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE VIOLENT. MANY CHILDREN AND ADULTS BECOME
VICTIMS OF ABUSE WHEN SOMEONE DRINKS AND BECOMES VIOLENT. VICTIMS AND FAMILIES
CAN BE HELPED IF THE VIOLENCE IS REPORTED TO A TRUSTED ADULT SUCH AS A POLICE
OFFICER, COUNSELOR, HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, OR TEACHER.
• PEOPLE CONSUMING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL INCREASE THEIR RISK OF INJURY. THIS HAPPENS
BECAUSE THEY BEGIN TO BEHAVE IN WAYS THEY WOULD NOT NORMALLY. THEY ARE NOT
CAPABLE OF THINKING CLEARLY. THEIR LIKELIHOOD OF BECOMING A VICTIM OF PHYSICAL OR
SEXUAL VIOLENCE INCREASES.
• PHYSICAL EFFECTS
• THERE ARE ALSO SHORT-TERM PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF CONSUMING ALCOHOL. ALCOHOL IS A DEPRESSANT AND
DRINKING TOO MUCH LEADS TO INTOXICATION.
• INTOXICATION IS AN ABNORMAL STATE CAUSED BY PUTTING POISONS, SUCH AS ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS, IN
YOUR BODY. INTOXICATION SLOWS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTIONS. THIS MAKES PEOPLE LOSE
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONTROL.
• ALCOHOL AND DRUGS CAUSE DIFFICULTY WALKING, TALKING, AND THINKING. THESE DIFFICULTIES MAKE IT
HARD TO MAKE GOOD CHOICES.
• PEOPLE CAN PASS OUT WHEN THEY CONSUME TOO MUCH ALCOHOL. SOMEONE WHO IS PASSED OUT CANNOT
REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR DEFEND THEMSELVES FROM AN ATTACKER.
• ALCOHOL INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY, DROWNING, WRECKS, HOMICIDE, AND SUICIDE.
• DRINKING TOO MUCH OFTEN CAUSES A HANGOVER. SYMPTOMS OF A HANGOVER INCLUDE NAUSEA, VOMITING,
A DRY MOUTH, AND SEVERE HEADACHES. A LOSS OF FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES AFTER DRINKING
CONTRIBUTES TO HANGOVER SYMPTOMS.
• ALCOHOL BLOCKS HORMONES, CAUSING THE BODY TO LOSE FLUID THROUGH URINATION. THE MORE YOU
DRINK, THE MORE YOU URINATE, AND THE MORE DEHYDRATED YOU BECOME. DEHYDRATION MEANS YOU ARE
LOW ON WATER IN YOUR BODY. WHEN YOU URINATE, YOU LOSE WATER AND ELECTROLYTES ALONG WITH THE
WATER.
• ALCOHOL ALSO IRRITATES THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES, WHICH CAN LEAD TO NAUSEA AND VOMITING.
 ALCOHOL POISONING
• DRINKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL, COMMONLY CALLED BINGE
DRINKING, OVER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME CAN CAUSE ALCOHOL POISONING.
ALCOHOL POISONING CAN CAUSE VOMITING, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, DIFFICULTY
BREATHING, SEIZURES, LOW BLOOD SUGAR, AND DEATH.
• BINGE DRINKING IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED DRINKING FIVE OR MORE
DRINKS IN A ROW FOR MALES AND FOUR OR MORE DRINKS IN A ROW FOR
FEMALES.
• INEXPERIENCED, CURIOUS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE
DANGERS OF BINGE DRINKING ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF ALCOHOL
POISONING. BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME TO ABSORB ALCOHOL, BLOOD ALCOHOL
CAN CONTINUE TO RISE EVEN AFTER A PERSON PASSES OUT. AS BLOOD
ALCOHOL CONTINUES TO INCREASE, INVOLUNTARY RESPONSES LIKE
BREATHING DECREASE. PEOPLE CAN DIE BECAUSE THEIR BLOOD ALCOHOL
 LONG-TERM EFFECTS
• IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE ALCOHOL, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE
ILLNESSES SUCH AS ALCOHOLISM, LIVER DISEASE, BRAIN DAMAGE,
HEART DISEASE, AND SOME FORMS OF CANCER.

• BABIES BORN TO WOMEN WHO DRINK DURING PREGNANCY ARE OFTEN

BORN WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME. FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME IS
A PERMANENT CONDITION THAT CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE AND PROBLEMS
WITH LEARNING AND GROWTH.

• ALCOHOLISM, OR ADDICTION TO ALCOHOL, OFTEN DESTROYS FAMILIES

AND CAREERS AND TRAUMATIZES THOSE IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
ALCOHOLIC.
 UNDERAGE DRINKING
LEGAL AGE
• IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR ANYONE UNDER 21 TO DRINK ALCOHOL.

• ALABAMA LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 FROM CONSUMING,

POSSESSING, PURCHASING OR TRANSPORTING ANY TYPE OF ALCOHOL. THE FINE IS
NOT LESS THAN $25.00 NOR MORE THAN $100.00 AND/OR IMPRISONED IN A YOUTH
DETENTION FACILITY FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS ALTHOUGH A FIRST OFFENSE IS
USUALLY GRANTED PROBATION AND SENTENCED TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

• IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL TO USE OR ATTEMPT TO USE A FAKE DRIVER’S LICENSE TO OBTAIN

OR ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN ANY KIND OF ALCOHOL. VIOLATORS WILL BE ISSUED A FINE
RANGING FROM $50 TO $500 AND FACE UP TO 3 MONTHS IN JAIL. IN ADDITION, THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WILL SUSPEND THE PERSON’S DRIVER’S LICENSE FOR
3 TO 6 MONTHS AND CHARGE A REINSTATEMENT FEE OF $275.
 LEGAL AGE (CONT.)
• UNDER THE ALABAMA OPEN HOUSE PARTY LAW, ADULTS WILL BE
PUNISHED FOR ALLOWING MINORS TO CONSUME ALCOHOL ON
THEIR PROPERTY. THE LAW PENALIZES ADULTS WHO:

• ALLOW A PARTY TO CONTINUE WHILE KNOWING THAT MINORS

WERE CONSUMING ALCOHOL ON THEIR PROPERTY,

• ALLOW A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 TO POSSESS ALCOHOL ON

THEIR PROPERTY,

• OR FAIL TO TAKE REASONABLE ACTION TO PREVENT ILLEGAL

POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ON THEIR PROPERTY.
 DRINKING AND DRIVING: FIRST OFFENSE
• ALABAMA PROHIBITS ANYONE FROM DRIVING OR BEING IN ACTUAL PHYSICAL CONTROL OF A
VEHICLE WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (BAC) OF .08% OR MORE, OR .04% OR MORE IF
THE LICENSEE IS DRIVING A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, AND IT’S UNLAWFUL FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE
UNDER 21 YEARS OLD TO OPERATE A VEHICLE WITH A BAC OF .02% OR MORE. THIS MEANS THAT IF
YOU ARE INTOXICATED AND SITTING IN A VEHICLE WITH YOUR KEYS IN YOUR POCKET YOU CAN
STILL GET A DUI.
• A FIRST-TIME VIOLATION OF ALABAMA DUI LAWS CAN MEAN JAIL TIME OF UP TO A YEAR, BUT
THERE IS NO MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE. MOST DO NOT GET JAIL TIME FOR A FIRST OFFENSE,
ALTHOUGH YOU ARE TAKEN TO JAIL UNTIL YOU ARE SOBER. YOU WILL BE FINED OF UP TO $2,000 AS
WELL AS A 90-DAY LICENSE SUSPENSION. IT WILL COST YOU UP TO $275 TO GET YOUR LICENSE
BACK. DUI TRAFFIC SCHOOL WILL ALSO BE MANDATED SHOULD YOU BE CONVICTED OF THE
VIOLATION (YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS). IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YOU WILL HAVE
TO PLACE AN INTERLOCK DEVICE ON YOUR VEHICLE FOR 1-2 YEARS. THIS IS A DEVICE THAT YOU
MUST BLOW INTO FOR YOUR CAR TO START. IF IT DETECTS ANY ALCOHOL ON YOUR BREATH, THE
CAR WILL NOT START. THE DEVICE HAS A RENTAL FEE AND HAS TO BE READ MONTHLY, WHICH ALSO
COMES WITH A FEE.
 DRINKING AND DRIVING: REPEAT OFFENSES
• A SECOND ALABAMA DUI MAY INCUR JAIL TIME OF UP TO ONE YEAR, AS WELL, IN ADDITION
TO A MANDATORY MINIMUM OF FIVE DAYS IN JAIL, OR A MINIMUM OF THIRTY DAYS OF
COMMUNITY SERVICE. FINES FOR A SECOND-TIME ALABAMA DUI RANGE FROM THAT OF
$1,100 TO $5,100 AS WELL AS LICENSE SUSPENSION FOR AN ENTIRE CALENDAR YEAR.
• A THIRD ALABAMA DUI OFFENSE IS COMPRISED OF JAIL-TIME FROM 60 DAYS TO A YEAR,
WITH 60 DAYS BEING THE MANDATORY MINIMUM AMOUNT TIME YOU WILL SERVE IN JAIL.
FINES RANGE FROM $2,100 TO $10,000 AS WELL AS INCUR A LICENSE SUSPENSION OF THREE
YEARS.  
• A FOURTH DUI IS A CLASS C FELONY. IN SUCH A CASE, YOU GO TO PRISON IN THE STATE
PENITENTIARY FROM 1 YEAR TO 10 YEARS, WITH A YEAR AND A DAY BEING THE
MANDATORY MINIMUM AMOUNT YOU WILL GO TO PRISON. THE FINES FOR SUCH AN
OFFENSE RANGE FROM $4,100 TO AS MUCH AS $10,100. IN ADDITION, OFFENDERS MUST
COMPLETE A STATE-CERTIFIED CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY PROGRAM, AS WELL AS HAVE
THEIR LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR FIVE YEARS. 
 EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL RISKS OF
UNDERAGE DRINKING
• IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN UNDERAGE DRINKING, YOUR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND
FINANCIAL HEALTH IS AT RISK.
• ALCOHOL MAKES YOU MORE LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN RISKY SEXUAL ACTIVITY. THIS
PUTS YOU AT GREATER RISK OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS) AND
PREGNANCY.
• STIS AND PREGNANCIES CAN HAVE DEVASTATING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL
CONSEQUENCES.
• ALCOHOL INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY, DROWNING, WRECKS, HOMICIDE, AND SUICIDE.
• ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH RELATIONSHIPS AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL.
DRINKING OFTEN CAUSES PEOPLE TO WITHDRAW FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS, SCHOOL, AND
WORK, RESULTING IN ACADEMIC AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. PEOPLE WHO BEGIN
DRINKING EARLY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME ALCOHOLICS.
 LEGAL AND FINANCIAL RISKS OF
UNDERAGE DRINKING
• ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
ALCOHOL COSTS A LOT OF MONEY.

• LEGAL ISSUES CAN RESULT IN FINES, BAIL COSTS, AND

COURT FEES. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CAN
RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER,
PASSENGERS, OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. LEGAL FEES AND
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR PEOPLE WHILE UNDER THE
INFLUENCE CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
 ADDICTION
• AS AN ADOLESCENT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT ADDICTION
FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES: PREVENTING YOURSELF FROM
BECOMING ADDICTED AND RESPONDING TO ADDICTION IN PEOPLE
AROUND YOU.

• EVERY ALCOHOLIC’S JOURNEY BEGINS WITH THE FIRST DRINK. NO

ONE BEGINS DRINKING WITH THE GOAL OF BECOMING ADDICTED,
BUT MANY PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES BATTLING ALCOHOL
ADDICTION.

• ADDICTION CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE FROM ANY BACKGROUND.

 FAMILIES OF ADDICTS
• WHEN A PERSON BECOMES ADDICTED, THEIR FAMILIES CAN
SUFFER SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
• THE FAMILIES OF ADDICTS TEND TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF
STRESS. FAMILY MEMBERS ARE OFTEN EMBARRASSED AND
DENY OR COVER UP THE PROBLEM.
• IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND SEEK
HELP.
• WHILE HELP IS AVAILABLE, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE
WHO IS ADDICTED TO SEE A NEED FOR CHANGE AND SEEK HELP.
 HELP ORGANIZATIONS
• SOMEONE SEEKING HELP WITH ADDICTION CAN BEGIN BY TALKING WITH
THEIR DOCTOR.
• SOME OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP WITH
ADDICTION INCLUDE:
• ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS PROVIDES
LIFELONG SUPPORT FOR THOSE RECOVERING FROM ALCOHOL ADDICTION.
IT WAS STARTED BY TWO MEN WHO DISCOVERED THAT MEETING TO
SHARE THEIR STRUGGLE HELPED THEM STAY SOBER. THEIR STORY IS
TOLD IN THE AWARD WINNING MOVIE “MY NAME IS BILL W.”
• AL-ANON: AL-ANON PROVIDES SUPPORT TO FAMILIES OF ALCOHOLICS,
HELPING THEM COPE WITH THE EFFECTS OF ADDICTION.
• ALATEEN: ALATEEN HELPS TEENS GROWING UP IN FAMILIES AFFECTED BY
ALCOHOL ADDICTION.
 WITHDRAWALS
• IN ADDITION TO GROUPS THAT OFFER SUPPORT TO STAY SOBER, MEDICAL
SUPERVISION IS IMPORTANT. ALCOHOL IS A DRUG AND LIKE WITH MANY
OTHER DRUGS, WHEN YOU STOP USING THE DRUG, YOUR BODY CAN GO
THROUGH PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS KNOWN AS WITHDRAWAL.
• WITHDRAWAL CAN CAUSE UNPLEASANT AND DANGEROUS SYMPTOMS,
SUCH AS HALLUCINATIONS AND SEIZURES, AND SHOULD BE MANAGED
CAREFULLY. THIS IS WHY MANY PEOPLE CHECK INTO AN ALCOHOL AND
DRUG REHAB CENTER. THESE CENTERS NOT ONLY HELP THE PATIENT TO
GET OFF ALCOHOL PHYSICALLY, BUT ALSO HELP THE PERSON
UNDERSTAND THE UNDERLYING REASONS THAT THEY HAVE PROBLEM
WITH ALCOHOL.
• COORDINATION OF PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CARE AND FAMILY
RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH RECOVERY IS ESSENTIAL.
 WHAT FACTORS?
• WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION
ABOUT ALCOHOL? HOW DO YOUR PERSONAL VALUES AND
BELIEFS IMPACT YOUR DECISIONS ABOUT USING ALCOHOL?
• IT IS NATURAL TO BE CURIOUS ABOUT THE WORLD AND HOW
IT WORKS. IF YOU MADE A CHART OF REASONS TO DRINK AND
REASONS NOT TO DRINK, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
• FOR MOST TEENS, PEER PRESSURE, CURIOSITY, AND FEELING
OLDER WOULD BE HIGH ON THE LIST OF REASONS TO DRINK.
SOME TEENS DRINK TO AVOID THINKING ABOUT THINGS OR
TO RELAX IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS.
• LEGAL AGE
• THE FIRST GUIDELINE FOR HEALTHY ALCOHOL USE IS
OBEYING THE LAW. MAKING THE DECISION TO DELAY
DRINKING UNTIL IT IS LEGAL CAN TAKE A LOT OF PRESSURE
OFF A TEEN. IT CAN ALSO HELP AVOID MANY DANGEROUS
SITUATIONS.

• FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT

• ANOTHER GUIDELINE IS TO LIMIT THE FREQUENCY AND
AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL CONSUMED. DRINKING LITTLE TO NO
ALCOHOL IS A DECISION THAT DECREASES THE RISK OF
INJURY, ADDICTION, AND VICTIMIZATION.
 BEHAVIOR
• IF YOU DO MAKE THE CHOICE TO DRINK ALCOHOL, THEN YOU SHOULD ALSO
MAKE THESE CHOICES:
• NEVER DRIVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN DRINKING
• NEVER RIDE WITH A DRIVER WHO HAS BEEN DRINKING OR IS IMPAIRED BY DRUGS.
• STAY WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS YOU TRUST. DO NOT GET SEPARATED FROM
TRUSTWORTHY FRIENDS.
• DO NOT DRINK FROM AN OPEN PUNCH BOWL OR FROM A BEVERAGE YOU LEFT
UNSUPERVISED.
• DO NOT DRINK FROM A BOTTLE OR CAN UNLESS YOU OPEN IT OR SEE A
BARTENDER OPEN IT. UNFORTUNATELY, DRUGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE UNABLE TO
REMEMBER OR DEFEND THEMSELVES CAN BE PUT INTO DRINKS, RESULTING IN
VICTIMIZATION.
 PREGNANCY AND ALCOHOL

• ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THE WAY TO PREVENT FETAL

ALCOHOL SYNDROME IS FOR A PREGNANT WOMAN TO
REFRAIN FROM DRINKING ANY ALCOHOL. THERE IS NO
KNOWN SAFE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL THAT CAN BE
CONSUMED AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.