Facts About Alcohol 

 WHY DO PEOPLE DRINK?

                               -- to relax
                               -- to feel better; these people might see alcohol as an escape from sadness or loneliness
                               -- to forget about their problems
                               -- they like the taste (alcohol is what’s known as an acquired taste, meaning that you have to grow into it--after
                                  having it a couple of times you might enjoy the taste)
                               -- it’s a way for teenagers to rebel against their parents
                               -- to fit in
                               -- to gain self-confidence

 WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE NOT TO DRINK?

                               -- It costs too much
                               -- The side effects are harmful to health
                               -- It makes them sick
                               -- They don’t like the taste
                               -- It is fattening with little or no nutritional value
                               -- They want to stay in control
                               -- It is illegal for teenagers to buy or possess alcohol
                               -- They’re afraid their parents will find out
                               -- They would be breaking training rules
                               -- It leads to other problems
                               -- You can have more fun by staying sober.
                               -- Alcohol gives you bad breath

  WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRINK?

                      Roughly 20 percent of the alcohol passes directly into the blood from the stomach and from there continues to circulate
                      throughout the body. The other 80 percent of the alcohol passes into the small intestine, where it is absorbed into the
                      blood. Alcohol has short term effects and long term effects.
 

ALCOHOL’S IMMEDIATE EFFECTS ON THE...

             BRAIN: The brain is affected by alcohol almost as soon as the person has finished drinking. The frontal lobe section of the
                  brain--which controls judgment and social inhibitions--is the first part of the brain to feel alcohol’s effects. This means
                  that a person may do or try things that are considered "taboo"--not appropriate in a group setting. The nervous system is
                 slowed down and memory and concentration are no longer as sharp. The person’s speech may become slurred--meaning
                 all their words sound funny.

            LIVER: The liver changes alcohol into water, carbon dioxide, and energy by a process called oxidation. The liver can
                 only oxidize at a rate of about .5 (or 1/2) an ounce of alcohol per hour. There is no way to speed up the oxidation process.
                 The alcohol continues to circulate throughout the body until every last drop has been oxidized.

            BLOOD VESSELS: When alcohol enters the blood, it causes the blood vessels to expand. The result is an increase in the flow
                 of blood, especially to the skin. The skin may feel flushed and warm. This warmth is an illusion, though--drawing blood to
                 the surface of the skin actually causes the body’s heat to escape by coming in contact with the cooler air of the environment.

            KIDNEYS: Alcohol stimulates the pituitary gland, which then signals the kidneys to produce more urine. This is one reason a
                 person feels dehydrated the day after heavy drinking.

            STOMACH: The alcohol molecule does not need to be digested because it is very small and water soluble. Instead of being
                 digested, it is immediately absorbed into the blood from the stomach. If there is food in the stomach, then the absorption
                 process is slowed down. The person will still get drunk, though, if he/she drinks too much. Alcohol increases the flow of
                 gastric juices from the stomach lining. Larger amounts of alcohol draw out a larger flow of these high-acid juices, causing
                 the stomach lining to become irritated. Repeated irritation will lead to an open sore, or what’s called an ulcer.

            BEHAVIOR: Some people may find a drunk person’s behavior amusing. Unfortunately and VERY sadly, all too often a drunk
                 person can become aggressive, obnoxious, and even violent. Drunk people also have a more difficult time recognizing when
                 they are in dangerous situations and have more problems getting out of them safely. Some sad statistics: alcohol is a factor
                 in up to 65 percent of all cases of domestic violence, in at least 45 percent of all cases of spousal abuse, in at least 49
                 percent of all incidents of child abuse, in up to 90 percent of all rapes, and in at least 70 percent of all murders. On average,
                 an alcoholic’s life span is shortened by 10-12 years. Isn’t this horrible?

 ALCOHOL’S LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON THE...

            TOLERANCE: Tolerance is a condition where the body becomes used to the effects of a drug. As you drink more often, you
                 build up a tolerance--meaning that you have to drink more alcohol than you had to before in order for you to get drunk.
                 People who have built up a high tolerance can drink lots of alcohol without seeming to be intoxicated. On the surface, the
                 person may appear to function properly, but he is doing serious internal damage that may or may not be repairable. The
                 person might even wind up in the hospital. Then the individual will go through withdrawal--the physical reaction that occurs
                 when a person stops taking a drug or medicine that their body has grown dependent on. Symptoms of withdrawal include
                 jumpiness, sleep deprivation, sweating, loss of appetite, tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations.

            DEPENDENCE:  A person’s body can become dependent on alcohol. When a person’s body develops a chemical need for a
                 drug or a medicine, their body is said to have a physiological dependence. A person whose body is physiologically dependent
                 on alcohol will be characterized by tolerance (they can drink a lot without appearing drunk) and withdrawal, if they try to stop
                 drinking. Dependence and tolerance go hand in hand. A person who is physiologically dependent on alcohol will drink more
                 and more to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal--which in turn will increase their tolerance level.

            LIVER:  Alcohol interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fats, causing fats to build up in the liver in a condition known
                 as fatty liver. The liver cells can no longer perform their job properly. It takes a longer time for old liver cells to be replaced.
                 The fat buildup reduces oxygen and blood flow in the liver cells, resulting in cell death. This condition is reversible--drinking
                 must stop first, though. Heavy alcohol use destroys liver tissue, which is then replaced with useless scar tissue in a
                 condition known as cirrhosis. There are no blood vessels in scar tissue to allow blood flow. The liver no longer works as well.

            BRAIN DAMAGE:  Major brain damage is the result of long-term, excessive alcohol usage. Brain cells are destroyed even in
                 moderate drinking, though. Intellectual abilities are often negatively affected and memory and problem solving abilities suffer.
                 People have been sent to mental institutions due to severe brain damage.

 WHAT SHOULD I SAY WHEN PEOPLE PRESSURE ME TO DRINK AND I DON'T WANT TO?

              There are many different ways to say no--the easiest is probably a simple, direct "No Thanks." You can offer a reason if you
               want, although you don’t need to. Feel free to pick a reason from the section above labeled "Why Do People Decide Not To
               Drink?" or you may want to use a reason of your own. Repeat your refusal as often as necessary and always say no like you
               mean it. If you whisper or mumble "I don’t think so" and you’re making a silly face while avoiding eye contact, you may as well
               be wearing a sign on your head that says "Just Convince Me A Little." Your body language MUST agree with your verbal
               language-- this means using a serious expression, a strong, confident voice to clearly say "NO," shaking your head, and walking
               or turning away to communicate refusal.

               You can also suggest another activity. A "Why don’t we go over to my house and get drunk?" can be answered with a swift
                "Why don’t we go over to my house and water my marvelous collection of Chia pets? I have one that looks like my sister, you
                know," or whatever it is that kids do for fun where you live. When your friend accepts your gracious invitation, not only will
                you have bought yourself hours of fun and fertilizer, but you’ll have avoided an uncomfortable situation, too!

               You can practice different ways of saying no to alcohol with your parents, (although you’re probably very good at telling them
                no already!), a friend, or even on your dog or stuffed animals--but a live person is preferred.

               If your so-called friends don’t respect your decision not to drink alcohol and continue to pressure or even harass you about
                it, then you better find yourself some new friends who can accept you just the way you are.

 HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN SOMEONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL?

               If you or somebody you know fits into any of the categories below, please get help from a trusted adult:
                    -- Starts to drink at the first sign of a tense situation
                    -- Cannot stop drinking once they have started
                    -- Drinks alone
                    -- Believes that you need to drink to have fun
                    -- Feels scared, alone, miserable, unhappy, or depressed
                    -- Has problems at work or school due to alcohol

  WHERE CAN SOMEONE GET HELP FOR AN ALCOHOL PROBLEM?

                    -- Hospitals
                    -- City/Local Health Departments
                    -- Alcoholics Anonymous or Al-Anon/Alateen
                    -- Local emergency health clinics (some are open 24 hours), or community treatment services
 

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