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Research
What areas of the brain does alcohol affect?
What functions do these areas of the brain carry out?
What are the short-term affects of drinking and brain function?
What can be long-term consequences of teenage drinking on brain development and function?
How does drinking affect a teenage brain versus an adult brain?
Getting the Facts
Just about everyone knows that the legal drinking age throughout the United States is 21. But according to the National
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, almost 80% of high school students have tried alcohol.
Deciding whether to drink is a personal decision that we each eventually have to make. The information below on alcohol,
including how it affects your body, will help you make an educated choice in your future.
What Is Alcohol?
Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is a process that uses yeast or bacteria
to change the sugars in the food into alcohol. Fermentation is used to produce many necessary items - everything from cheese
to medications. Alcohol has different forms and can be used as a cleaner, an antiseptic, or a sedative.
So if alcohol is a natural product, why do teens need to be concerned about drinking it? When people drink alcohol, it's
absorbed into their bloodstream. From there, it affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), which controls
virtually all body functions. Because experts now know that the human brain is still developing during our teens, scientists
are researching the effects drinking alcohol can have on the teen brain.
How Does It Affect the Body?
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows the function of the central nervous system. Alcohol actually blocks some
of the messages trying to get to the brain. This alters a person's perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing.
In very small amounts, alcohol can help a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. More alcohol causes greater changes
in the brain, resulting in intoxication. People who have overused alcohol may stagger, lose their coordination, and slur their
speech. They will probably be confused and disoriented. Depending on the person, intoxication can make someone very friendly
and talkative or very aggressive and angry. Reaction times are slowed dramatically, which is why people are told not to drink
and drive. People who are intoxicated may think they're moving properly when they're not. They may act totally out of character.
When large amounts of alcohol are consumed in a short period of time, alcohol poisoning can result. Alcohol poisoning
is exactly what it sounds like, the body has become poisoned by large amounts of alcohol. Violent vomiting is usually the
first symptom of alcohol poisoning. Extreme sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar,
seizures, and even death may result.
Why Do Teens Drink?
Experimentation with alcohol during the teen years is common. Some reasons that teens use alcohol and other drugs are:
curiosity
to feel good, reduce stress, and relax
to fit in
to feel older
From a very young age, kids see advertising messages showing beautiful people enjoying life and alcohol. And because many
parents and other adults use alcohol socially having beer or wine with dinner, for example alcohol seems harmless to many
teens.
Why Shouldn't I Drink?
Although it's illegal to buy alcohol in the United States until the age of 21, most teens can get access to it. It's therefore
up to you to make a decision about drinking. In addition to the possibility of becoming addicted, there are some downsides
to drinking:
The punishment is severe. Teens who drink put themselves at risk for obvious problems with the law (it's illegal; you
can get arrested). Teens who drink are also more likely to get into fights and commit crimes than those who don't.
People who drink regularly also often have problems with school. Drinking can damage a student's ability to study well
and get decent grades, as well as affect sports performance (the coordination thing).
You can look really stupid. The impression is that drinking is cool, but the nervous system changes that come from drinking
alcohol can make people do stupid or embarrassing things, like throwing up or peeing on themselves. Drinking also gives people
bad breath, and no one enjoys a hangover.
Alcohol puts your health at risk. Teens who drink are more likely to be sexually active and to have unsafe, unprotected
sex. Resulting pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases can change or even end lives. The risk of injuring yourself,
maybe even fatally, is higher when you're under the influence, too. One half of all drowning deaths among teen guys are related
to alcohol use. Use of alcohol greatly increases the chance that a teen will be involved in a car crash, homicide, or suicide.
Teen drinkers are more likely to get fat or have health problems, too. One study by the University of Washington found
that people who regularly had five or more drinks in a row starting at age 13 were much more likely to be overweight or have
high blood pressure by age 24 than their non-drinking peers. People who continue drinking heavily well into adulthood risk
damaging their organs, such as the liver, heart, and brain.
How Can I Avoid Drinking?
If all your friends drink and you don't want to, it can be hard to say "no, thanks." No one wants to risk feeling
rejected or left out. Different strategies for turning down alcohol work for different people. Some people find it helps to
say no without giving an explanation, others think offering their reasons works better ("I'm not into drinking,"
"I have a game tomorrow," or "my uncle died from drinking," for example).
If saying no to alcohol makes you feel uncomfortable in front of people you know, blame your parents or another adult
for your refusal. Saying, "My parents are coming to pick me up soon," "I already got in major trouble for drinking
once, I can't do it again," or "my coach would kill me," can make saying no a bit easier for some.
If you're going to a party and you know there will be alcohol, plan your strategy in advance. You and a friend can develop
a signal for when it's time to leave, for example. You can also make sure that you have plans to do something besides just
hanging out in someone's basement drinking beer all night. Plan a trip to the movies, the mall, a concert, or a sports event.
You might also organize your friends into a volleyball, bowling, or softball team, any activity that gets you moving.
Girls or guys who have strong self-esteem are less likely to become problem drinkers than people with low self-esteem.
Where Can I Get Help?
If you think you have a drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust.
If you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counselor, clergy member, aunt, or uncle. It can be hard for
some people to talk to adults about these issues, but a supportive person in a position to help can refer students to a drug
and alcohol counselor for evaluation and treatment.
In some states, this treatment is completely confidential. After assessing a teen's problem, a counselor may recommend
a brief stay in rehab or outpatient treatment. These treatment centers help a person gradually overcome the physical and psychological
dependence on alcohol.
What If I'm Concerned About Someone Else's Drinking?
Sometimes people live in homes where a parent or other family member drinks too much. This may make you angry, scared,
and depressed. Many people can't control their drinking without help. This doesn't mean that they love or care about you any
less. Alcoholism is an illness that needs to be treated just like other illnesses.
People with drinking problems can't stop drinking until they are ready to admit they have a problem and get help. This
can leave family members and loved ones feeling helpless. The good news is there are many places to turn for help: a supportive
adult, such as your guidance counselor, or a relative or older sibling will understand what you're going through. Also, professional
organizations like Alateen can help.
If you have a friend whose drinking concerns you, make sure he or she stays safe. Don't let your friend drink and drive,
for example. If you can, try to keep friends who have been drinking from doing anything dangerous, such as trying to walk
home at night alone or starting a fight. And protect yourself, too. Don't get in a car with someone who's been drinking, even
if that person is your ride home. Ask a sober adult to drive you instead or call a cab.
Everyone makes decisions about whether to drink and how much, even adults. It's possible to enjoy a party or other event
just as much, if not more so, when you don't drink. And with your central nervous system working as it's supposed to, you'll
remember more about the great time you had!
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Chet has known Dave since they were in elementary school together, but lately their friendship has been
strained. Dave's drinking on weekends has turned him into a completely different person. Dave used to get good grades and
play sports, but since he started drinking he hasn't been finishing assignments and he has quit the soccer team.
When Chet saw Dave pound five beers in 30 minutes at two different parties, he realized how serious Dave's problem was.
What Is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking used to mean drinking heavily over several days. Now, however, the term refers to the heavy consumption
of alcohol over a short period of time (just as binge eating means a specific period of uncontrolled overeating).
Today the generally accepted definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks
in a row by men or four or more drinks in a row by women at least once in the previous 2 weeks. Heavy binge drinking includes
three or more such episodes in 2 weeks.
Why Do People Binge Drink?
Liquor stores, bars, and alcoholic beverage companies make drinking seem attractive and fun. It's easy for a high school
student to get caught up in a social scene with lots of peer pressure. Inevitably, one of the biggest areas of peer pressure
is drinking.
Other reasons why people drink include:
They're curious, they want to know what it's like to drink alcohol.
They believe that it will make them feel good, not realizing it could just as easily make them sick and hung-over.
They may look at alcohol as a way to reduce stress, even though it can end up creating more stress.
They want to feel older.
Risks of Binge Drinking
Many people don't think about the negative side of drinking. Although they think about the possibility of getting drunk,
they may not give much consideration to being hung-over or throwing up.
You may know from experience that excessive drinking can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, mood changes,
and other problems that affect your day-to-day life. But binge drinking carries more serious and longer-lasting risks as well.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is the most life-threatening consequence of binge drinking. When someone drinks too much and gets alcohol
poisoning, it affects the body's involuntary reflexes, including breathing and the gag reflex. If the gag reflex isn't working
properly, a person can choke to death on his or her vomit.
Other signs someone may have alcohol poisoning include:
extreme confusion
inability to be awakened
vomiting
seizures
slow or irregular breathing
low body temperature
bluish or pale skin
If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.
Impaired Judgment
Binge drinking impairs judgment, so drinkers are more likely to take risks they might not take when they're sober. They
may drive drunk and injure themselves or others.
Driving isn't the only motor skill that's impaired, though. Walking is also more difficult while intoxicated. In 2000,
roughly one third of pedestrians 16 and older who were killed in traffic accidents were intoxicated.
People who are drunk also take other risks they might not normally take when they're sober. For example, people who have
impaired judgment may have unprotected sex, putting them at greater risk of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or unplanned
pregnancy.
Physical Health
Studies show that people who binge-drink throughout high school are more likely to be overweight and have high blood pressure
by the time they are 24. Just one regular beer contains about 150 calories, which adds up to a lot of calories if someone
drinks four or five beers a night.
Mental Health
Binge drinkers have a harder time in school and they're more likely to drop out. Drinking disrupts sleep patterns, which
can make it harder to stay awake and concentrate during the day. This can lead to struggles with studying and poor academic
performance.
People who binge-drink may find that their friends drift away, which is what happened with Chet and Dave. Drinking can
affect personality; people might become angry or moody while drinking, for example.
Alcoholism
Some studies have shown that people who binge-drink heavily and those who have three or more episodes of binge drinking
in 2 weeks have some of the symptoms of alcoholism.
Getting Help
If you think you or a friend have a binge-drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk
to an adult you trust, if you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counselor, clergy member, aunt, or
uncle.
It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, so an alternative could be a trusted friend or older
sibling who is easy to talk to. Drinking too much can be the result of social pressures, and sometimes it helps to know there
are others who have gone through the same thing.
If you're worried, don't hesitate to ask someone for help. A supportive friend or adult could help you to avoid pressure
situations, stop drinking, or find counseling.
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Anthony is in bed when he hears the front door slam. He covers his head with his pillow so he doesn't have to listen to the
sound of his parents arguing. Anthony knows that his mother has been drinking again. He starts worrying about getting to school
on time and realizes he will probably have to help get his younger sister ready too.
Why Do People Drink Too Much?
Lots of people live with a parent or caregiver who is an alcoholic or who drinks too much. Alcoholism has been around
for centuries, yet no one has discovered an easy way to prevent it.
Alcohol can affect people's health and also how they act. People who are drunk might be more aggressive or have mood swings.
They may act in a way that is embarrassing to them or other people.
Alcoholism is a disease. Like any disease, it needs to be treated. Without professional help, a person with alcoholism
will probably continue to drink and may even become worse over time.
Diseases like alcoholism are no one's fault. Some people are more susceptible to wanting to drink too much. Scientists
think it has to do with genetics, as well as things like family history, and life events.
Sometimes what starts as a bad habit can become a very big problem. For example, people may drink to cope with problems
like boredom, stress, or money troubles. Maybe there's an illness in the family, or parents are having marriage problems.
No matter what anyone says, people don't drink because of someone else's behavior. So if you live with someone who has
a drinking problem, don't blame yourself.
How Does Alcoholism Affect Families?
If you live with a parent who drinks, you may feel embarrassed, angry, sad, hurt, or any number of emotions. You may feel
helpless: When parents promise to stop drinking, for example, it can end in frustration when they don't keep their promises.
Problem drinking can change how families function. A parent may have trouble keeping a job and problems paying the bills.
Older kids may have to take care of younger siblings.
Some parents with alcohol problems might mistreat or abuse their children emotionally or physically. Others may neglect
their kids by not providing sufficient care and guidance. Parents with alcohol problems might also use other drugs.
Despite what happens, most children of alcoholics love their parents and worry about something bad happening to them.
Kids who live with problem drinkers often try all kinds of ways to prevent them from drinking. But, just as family members
don't cause the addiction, they can't stop it either.
The person with the drinking problem has to take charge. Someone who has a bad habit or an addiction to alcohol needs
to get help from a treatment center.
Alcoholism affects family members just as much as it affects the person drinking. Because of this, there are lots of support
groups to help children of alcoholics cope with the problem.
What If a Parent Doesn't See a Problem?
Drinking too much can be a problem that nobody likes to talk about. In fact, lots of parents may become enraged at the
slightest suggestion that they are drinking too much.
Sometimes, parents deny that they have a problem. A person in denial refuses to believe the truth about a situation. So
problem drinkers may try to blame someone else because it is easier than taking responsibility for their own drinking.
Some parents make their families feel bad by saying stuff like, "You're driving me crazy!" or "I can't
take this anymore." That can be harmful, especially to kids: Most young children don't know that the problem has nothing
to do with their actions and that it's all in the drinker's mind.
Some parents do acknowledge their drinking, but deny that it's a problem. They may say stuff like, "I can stop anytime
I want to," "Everyone drinks to unwind sometimes," or "My drinking is not a problem."
Lots of people fall into the trap of thinking that a parent's drinking is only temporary. They tell themselves that, when
a particular problem is over, like having a rough time at work, the drinking will stop. But even if a parent who drinks too
much has other problems, drinking is a separate problem. And that problem won't go away unless the drinker gets help.
Why Do I Feel So Bad?
If you're like most teens, your life is probably filled with emotional ups and downs, regardless of what's happening at
home. Add a parent with a drinking problem to the mix, and it can all seem like too much.
There are many reasons why a parent's drinking can contribute to feelings of anger, frustration, disappointment, sadness,
embarrassment, worry, loneliness, and helplessness. For example:
You might be subjected to a parent's changing moods. People who drink can behave unpredictably. Kids who grow up around
them may spend a lot of energy trying to figure out a parent's mood or guess what that parent wants. One day you might walk
on eggshells to avoid an outburst because the dishes aren't done or the lawn isn't mowed. The next day, you may find yourself
comforting a parent who promises that things will be better.
It may be hard to do things with friends or other people. For some people, it feels like too much trouble to have a friend
over or do the things that everyone else does. You just never know how your parent will act. Will your mom or dad show up
drunk for school events or drive you (and your friends) home drunk?
You might be stressed or worried. It can be scary to listen to adults in the house yell, fight, or break things by accident.
Worrying about a parent just adds to all the other emotions you may be feeling. Are you lying awake waiting for mom or dad
to get home safely? Do you feel it's not fair that you have to be the grown up and take care of things around the house? These
are all normal reactions.
Although each family is different, people who grow up with alcoholic parents often feel alone, unloved, depressed, or
burdened by the secret life they lead at home.
You know it's not possible to cause or stop the behavior of an alcoholic. So what can you do to feel better (or help a
friend feel better)?
What Can I Do?
Get help. You're not betraying your parent by seeking help. Keeping "the secret" is part of the disease of alcoholism
and it allows the problems to get worse. Getting help is a healthy step in dealing with the problems a parents drinking create.
In fact, taking care of yourself is what your parents would want you to do, especially if they have trouble doing it every
day because of their drinking.
Acknowledge the problem. Many kids of parents who drink too much try to protect their parents or hide the problem. Admitting
that your parent has a problem even if he or she won't is the first step in taking control. Start by talking to a friend,
teacher, counselor, or coach. If you can't face telling someone you know, call an organization like Al-Anon/Alateen (they
have a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-344-2666) or go online for help.
Be informed. Being aware of how your parent's drinking affects you can help put things in perspective. For example, some
teens who live with alcoholic adults become afraid to speak out or show any normal anger or emotion because they worry it
may trigger a parent's drinking. Remind yourself that you are not responsible for your parent drinking too much, and that
you cannot cause it or stop it.
Be aware of your emotions. When you feel things like anger or resentment, try to identify those feelings. Talk to a close
friend or write down how you are feeling. Recognizing how a parent's problem drinking makes you feel can help you from burying
your feelings and pretending that everything's OK.
Learn healthy coping strategies. When we grow up around people who turn to alcohol or other unhealthy ways of dealing
with problems, they become our example. Watching new role models can help people learn healthy coping mechanisms and ways
of making good decisions.
Coaches, aunts, uncles, parents of friends, or teachers all have to deal with things like frustration or disappointment.
Watch how they do it. School counselors can be a great resource here. Next time you have a problem, ask someone you trust
for help.
Find support. It's good to share your feelings with a friend, but it's equally important to talk to an adult you trust.
A school counselor, favorite teacher, or coach may be able to help. Some teens turn to their school D.A.R.E. (Drug and Alcohol
Resistance Education) officer. Others prefer to talk to a family member or parents of a close friend.
Because alcoholism is such a widespread problem, several organizations offer confidential support groups and meetings
for people living with alcoholics. Alateen is a group specifically geared to young people living with adults who have drinking
problems. Alateen can also help teens whose parents may already be in treatment or recovery. The group Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) also offers resources for people living with alcoholics.
Find a safe environment. Do you find yourself avoiding your house as much as possible? Are you thinking about running
away? If you feel that the situation at home is becoming dangerous, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at
(800) 799-SAFE. And don't hesitate to dial 911 if you think you or another family member is in immediate danger.
Stop the cycle. Teenage children of alcoholics are at higher risk of becoming alcoholics themselves. Scientists think
this is because of genetics and the environment that kids grow up in. For example, people might learn to drink as a way to
avoid fear, boredom, anxiety, sadness, or other unpleasant feelings. Understanding that there could be a problem and finding
adults and peers to help you can be the most important thing you do to reduce the risk of problem drinking.
Alcoholism is a disease. You can show your love and support, but you won't be able to stop someone from drinking. Talking
about the problem, finding support, and choosing healthy ways to cope are choices you can make to feel more in control of
the situation. Above all, don't give up!
Discussion Questions
Describe any alcohol ads you've seen. How do the people in the ads appear?
Discuss how this portrayal might affect people who see the ads. What
information about alcohol is missing from these depictions?
You walk into a friends basement, and someone offers you a drink. What do you
do? What issues do you weigh? What factors are important to you?
Kids and teens who have strong self-esteem are less likely to drink alcohol than
those with low self-esteem are. Why do you think this is?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Underage Drinking
Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among
youth in the United States.
•Excessive drinking is responsible for more than
4,300
deaths among underage youth each year, and cost the U.S. $24 billion in
economic costs in 2010.
•Although drinking by persons under the age of
21 is
illegal, people aged 12 to 20 years drink 11% of all alcohol consumed in the
United States.4 More than 90% of this alcohol is consumed in the form of binge
drinks.
•On average, underage drinkers consume more drinks
per
drinking occasion than adult drinkers.
•In 2013, there were approximately 119,000 emergency
rooms
visits by persons aged 12 to 21 for injuries and other conditions linked to
alcohol.
Drinking Levels
among
Youth
The 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey7 found that among
high
school students, during the past 30 days
•30% drank some amount of alcohol.
•14% binge drank.
•6% drove after drinking alcohol.
•17% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
Other national surveys
•In 2016, the National Survey on Drug Use and HealthExternal
reported that 19% of youth aged 12 to 20 years drink alcohol and 12% reported
binge drinking in the past 30 days.
•In 2017, the Monitoring the Future SurveyExternal
reported
that 8% of 8th graders and 33% of 12th graders drank during the past 30 days,
and 2% of 8th graders and 19% of 12th graders binge drank during the past 30
days.
Consequences
of
Underage Drinking
Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience
•School problems, such as higher absence and poor
or failing
grades.
•Social problems, such as fighting and lack of
participation
in youth activities.
•Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or
physically
hurting someone while drunk.
•Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.
•Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.
•Disruption of normal growth and sexual development.
•Physical and sexual assault.
•Higher risk for suicide and homicide.
•Alcohol-related car crashes and other unintentional
injuries, such as burns, falls, and drowning.
•Memory problems.
•Abuse of other drugs.
•Changes in brain development that may have life-long
effects.
•Death from alcohol poisoning.
I hold the right to change any information (topics/materials) at any time.
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